Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-08-05
Gen. Hancock's letter of Acceptance.


New YoRK, July 30.-The fol.
lowing is Hanoock's letter:
GOVERNORS ISLAND, New York
City, July 20, 1s80.-Gentlemen |
have the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of July 10.
1880, apprising me formally of
my nomination to the Office of Pres
ident of the United States by
the National Democratic Conven>
ton, lately assembled in Cincinnati.
| accept the nomination with CRATE.
ful appreciation of the confidence
reposed in ma. The principles emu
ciated by the Convention are those
have cherished 10 the past aud sh all
endeavor to maintain in the future.
The thirteenth, fourteenth and fif-
teenth amendments TO the constitu-
ton of the United States, embody.
ing the results of the war for the
union, are inviolable
II called TO the Presidency |
should deem ii my duty to resist
with all my power any attempt to
impair or evade tho fall force and
etfset OF the constitution, which in
every article, section aud amend
ment is the supreme law OF the land.
Toe constitution forms the basis of
the Government Of the United
States. The powers granted by IL
to the legislative, executive and ia
dicial departments define and limit
the authority Of the General Cow
eminent. The powers not delegated
to the United States by the eonsti>
tution nor prohibited by it to the
States belong to the States respec-
tive.y or to the people. Tha gen.
eral and State Government, acting
on it's own sphere, without trench
ing upon the lawful Jurisdiction of
the other, constitute the Union.
This Union, comprising general
government with general powers.
ana State governments with State
powera, for purposes local to the
States, IS o polity, the foundations
of which were laid in tho profound.
est wisdom. This is the union our
fathers made, aud which has been
so respected abroad and benefcent
at homo. Tried by blood and frs it
stands TO day q modal fern 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 tho words of
Washington: The unity IF govern
menG which constitutes one people
is justly dear to u.s." /. is the main
pillar in the edIfice of our real inde-
pendeace, the support eff our peace,
safety and prosperity, aud Of that
liberty which wo 80 highly prizs
and Intend OF every hazard to pre-.
serve. But DC form Of government.
however carefully Devised no prin-
ciples however 2ouod, will protect
the rights of tina peoplo unless the
administration ia teishful and eff
cieat. 1t ia vital principle in our
system that neither fraud nor force
must be allowed to subvert the
rights of the resple. When fraud,
violence or incsmpetency controls,
the nob!eat constitution and the
wieess laws arc useless. The bayo-
net is not a fit Instrument for col
leotlug the votes OF free men. 1t is
ouly by free vote, : free ballot,
and fair count that the people can
rule in fact as required by the the.
cry Of our Government. Take this
foundation away and The whole
structure falls Public office is d
trust, not bounty, bestowed upon
tho holder. No incompetent or dis
honest persons should ever be in
trusted with it, or if appointed they
should promptly DO elected.
Oar material interests, varied and
progressive, demand our constant
efforts A ssduloag and scrupul9us
care of tho public credit, together
with q visa and economical manage.
ment Of our governmental expendi-
turea, SHOULD De maintained in order
shat labor may be lightly burdened,
and that I'll persons may be protect
ed in their rights TO the fruits OF
their own indastry. The time has
como to enjsy the substantial bene.
fits Of reconciliation. AG our people
have common interests let us en-.
courage harmony and generous
rivalry among our own industries,
which will revive our gushing
merchant marine, extend our com.
meTce with foreign nations. assist
our merchants, manufacturers and
producers to develop our vast nat.
lral resources and increase tue
prosperity and happiness of our
people.
If elected, shall, with Divine
favor, labor with what ability
possess to diaohargs my duties with
fidelity according to my convictions,
and shall take care to protect and
defend the Union, aad to sac that
tho laws be faithfully and equally
executed il sill parts of the country
alike. will assume the respsnsi
b,lity, fully sensible of the facs that
to administer rightly the functions
of the go7erament, is to discharge
the mos sacred duty chat can de-.
volve upon an American citizen.
am very respectfully yours,
(Signed) w. S. HANCOCK.
TIE Hon. John w. Stevenson,
President of the Convention, Hon.
John 2. Stockton, chairman, end