The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-08-07
LsttsEsf Acceptance Of Hancock Z English.
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GESrlENEN ~ have the honor 10 Acknowledge
the receipt Of your letter Of July ~ iso apprsing
me formally Of my nomination to the oiiee OF Prs.
idcnt Of the United States BY the National Demo-
cratic Convention lately assembled In Cincinnati,
accept the nomination with grateful appreciation
oil confidence rsposed in me.
The principles ennnelatei by the Convention arr
those have cherished in the past and shall endea.
yor 10 maintain in the.iutnrc.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth. and FiNccnth Amend.
ments TO the Constitution Of the United States en-,
bodyng the results OF the for the Unlon are In
violable, Ifcalled to the Presidency, should deem
Tiny duty 10 resist with ali my power any attempt
10 impair or cyade the full force aud effect OF the
Constitution. which, IN every article, section and
amendment Is the supreme law Of the land. The
Constitution forms the basis Of the Government of
the United States The powers granted by ITO the
legislative. executive and judicial departments dc
fne and limit the authority of the general Govern
mcnt powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution. prohibited by II to the States
belong TO the States respectively to the people
The general and State Governments, each acting In
its own sphere without trenehing upon the lawful
jurisdiction ofthe other constitute the Union This
Union, comprising general Government with gen
eral powers and state Governments with State pow
lorpurposes local to the states, Is polity the
foundations Of which were laid in the proloundest
wisdom.
This Is the Union our fathers made, and which has
been " respected ahroaG and so beneheeni at home
Tried by blood and FIRE, Il stands to-day model
form OF free popular goyernment-a political system
which rightly administered. has been. and win con
tinue 10 b. the adniration OF the work. May We
not say, nearly in the words Of Washington The
unity Of government which constitutes Us one PEG
pie Is justly dear to us It Is the main pillar IN the
eiiee Of our real independence the support OF our
poace salty. and prosperity and q that liberty
10 highly prize and intend q. every hazard 10 pre-
serve.
But no form Of government however carefully dc
yiscd no principles however sound win protect the
rights OF the peeple, unless administration is
faithful and efficient IL Isl vital principle in our
system that neither maud force must be allowed
10 subyeH the rights Of the people. When, fraud,
violence or incompetence controls the nobcst con
situations and wisesi laws useless. The hayonet
is not m instrument for collecting the votes Of free
men II Is only By full vote, free ballot and fair
count that the people eau rule in fact as required
by the theory Of our Government Take this ioun-
dalton away and The whole structure falls
Public Office is trust, not bounty bcstowedu upon
the holder; no incompetent or dishonest persons
should ever be intrused with It, or ifappouied they
should be promptly elected The bass ola suhstan
tial practical civil service reform must lint be rstab
lished by the people in filling the elective offices: II
they fix high standard Of qualifications hr Office
and stornly reject the corrupt and incompetent the
result will be decisive in governing the action of tho
servants whom they intrnst with appointing power
The war for the Union was successfully closed
more than fifteen years ago. All Glasses OF our poo
NIL In of
and are equally concerned in its perpetuiiy and in
the proper administration ofpublic affairs We are
in state OF profound peace. Henceforth let 1t be
our purpose to cultivate sentiments Of friendship,
and not Of animosity among our fellow citizens
Our material Interests varied aud progressive. de.
mand our constant and united efforts A sedulous
and scrupulbug care Of the public credit together
with wise and economical management ofour gov
crnmental expenditures should be maintained In
order that labor may be lightly burdened and thataH
persons may be protected In their Eigss tAefruis
Of their own industry. The time has come to enjoy
the substantial benefits of reconciliation. As one
people we have common Interests. Let Us eneour-
age the harmony and generous rivalry among our
own industries which will revive our languishing
merchant marine extend our commerce with FOR
eign nations assist our merchants manufacturers,
and producers to develop vast natural resources
and increase the prosperity aud Happiness Of our
people
Ifelected shall. with the Divine favor labor with
what ability possess 10 discharge my duties with
fidelity, according to my convictions and shall take
to protect and defend the Union and see that
the laws be faithfully and equally executed in all
parts Of the country alike. ! viii assume the re-
sponsibility fully sensible Of the fact that TO admin
lister rightly the functions Of government is to dis.
charge the mos, sacred duty that can dcyolye upon
an American citizen.
am very respectfully, yours.
WINFIELD 5. HANCOCK.
To the Hon. John W. Stevenson, President Of the
Convention; the Hon. John 7. Stockton. Chairman,
and Others Of the Committee Of the National Dem.
ocratic Convention.