Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-08-05
THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.
THEIR LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE.
GEN, HANCOCK's LETTER,


THEIR LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE.
GEN. HANCoCK's LETTER.
GOVERNORS ISLAND, New YORK C1TY,
July 20, $780, Gentlemen: have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of yonr letter of
July 18th, 1880, apprising me formally ofmy
nomination to the office of President of the
United States, by the National Democratic
Convention latel assembled 10 Cincinnati.
accept the nomination with grateful appre
citation of the confidence reposed in me. The
principles enunciated by the Convention are
those have cherished in the past and shall
endeavor to maintain in the future. The
Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend
ments to the Constitution of the United States,
erubodying the results of the war for the
Union, are inviolable. If called to the Pres
dency should deem it my duty to resist
with all Of my power, any attempt to impair
or evade the full force and effect Of the Con-
stitution, which, in every article, section and
amendment, is the supreme law of the land
The Constitution forms the basis of the Gov
ernment Of the United States. The powers
granted by it to the legislative, executive and
judicial departments define and limit the au.
thority of the General Government. The
powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution nor prohibited by it to the
States, belong to the States respectively, or to
the people. The General and State govern
ments, each acting in its own sphere with
out touching upon the lawful jurisdiction Of
the other, constitute the Union. This Union,
comprising the General Government with
general powers. and the State governments
with State powers, for purposes local to the
States, is polty, the foundations Of which
were laid in the profoundest wisdom. This
is the Union which our fathers made and
which has been respected abroad and 80 hene
6cent at home. Tried by blood and fire, it
stands to-day model form of free popular
government, political system which, rightly
administered, has been and will continue 10 be
the admiration of the world. May we not
say nearly in the words of Washington, the
unity of the Government which constitutes
US one people is justly dear to us. 1t is the
main pillar in the edifce Of our real inde
pendence, the support Of our peace, our safety
and prosperity, and of that liberty we so
highly prize and intend at ever hazard to
preserve. But no form Of government, how.
ever carefully devised, no principles, how
ever sound, will protect the rights of the
people unless the administration is faithful
and efficient. 1t is vital principle in our
system that neither fraud nor force must
be allowed to subvert the rights of the
people, When fraud, violence or incompe-
tence controls, the noblest constitutions and
wisest laws are useless. The bayonet is not
6t instrument for collecting the votes of
free men. 1t is only by full vote, free
ballo. and fair count that the people can
rule in fact, as required by the theory of our
government. Take this foundation away and
the whole structure falls. Public office is a
trust, not a bounty bestowed upon the holder:
No incompetent or dishonest person should
ever be entrusted with it, or if appointed they
should be promptly elected. The basis of
substantial practical civil service reform must
first be established by the people in filling
elective Offices. If they fix high standard
Of qualifications for Office and sternly reject
the corrupt and incompetent, the result will
be decisive in governing the action Of the
servants whom they entrust with the appoint
ing power. The war for the Union was sue.
cessfully closed more than fifteen yeas ago.
All classes of our people must share alike
in the blessings of the Union and are equally
concerned in its perpetuity and in the proper
administration of public affairs. We are in
state of profound peace. Hencefortb let
it be our purpose to cultivate sentiments OF
friendship and no animosity against our
tellow.citizens. Our material interests, va.
ried and progressive, demand our constant
and united efforts. A sedulous and scrupu-
lous care of the public credit, together with
wise and economical management OF our
government expenditures should be maintain
ed in order that labor may be lightly bur-
dened, and that all persons may be protected
in their rights to the fruits of their own indus
try. The time has come to enjoy the SUBJ
stantial benefits of reconciliation. As one
people we have common interests. Let US
encourage the harmony and generous rivalry
among our own industries, which will revive
our languishing merchant marine, extend our
commerce with foreign countries, assist our
merchants, manufacturers and producers to
develop our vast National resources and in.
crease the happiness and prosperity of our
people, If elected, shall, with divine favor,
labor with what ability possess to discharge
my duties with fidelity according to my con.
victions, and shall take care to protect and
defend the Union, and to see that the laws
be faithfully and equally executed in all parts
of the country alike. l will assume the re-
sponsibility, fully sensible Of the fact that to
administer rightly the functions Of the govern.
ment is to discharge the most sacred duty
that can devolve upon an American citizen.
l am very respectfully,
WINDrCrn g H.NrOrV