Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-08-04
Letters Of Acceptance from
General w. = Hancock
and Hen. w. III.
ECTlisIq,

NEW \ DIRK, July oU.-1 TIC IOllONluS
S Gen. Hancock's letter Of acceptance
If the democratic nomination for Presi-
lent OF the United States:
" GoreTRor's Island, Neic York city,
Tnly %. ISSO.-Gentlemen: l have the
honor to acknowledge the receipt OF
your letter of July Is, 1880, apprising
me formally of my nomination to the
Office of President CT the United States
by the National Democratic Conven-
lion, lately assembled in Cincinnati.
I accent the nomination with grateful
appreciation Of the confidence reposed
in me. The principles enunciated by
tbe convention are those l have cherish'
ed in the past and shall endeayor 10
maintain in the future,
"Tbe thirteenth, fourteenth and
Fifteenth amendments to the consll-
tution of the United States, embodylng
the results az the war for the Union. are
invlolahle. if called to the presidency
shonld deem it my duty to resist Win
all OF nv power any attempt to lmpa"
or eyade the full force and 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 thc
United States. The powers grained
nv It TO the legislative. executive and
in1iciol DEPARTMENTS define and limit
The authority Of the general govern
rent. Powers not delegated to the
United States by The constitution nor
prohibited by it 10 the States, belong to
the States, respectively, or to the peo-
ME. The general and Stale govern
monis. each achng in its own sphere.
without touching upon the Lawful lur's-
diciion Of the other, constitute the I'm
ion. This Union. comprising a general
Government witt general powers, and
State Governments with State powers
for PURPOSES local 10 the States IS a
nolitv the foundations Of which were
lai9 IN the profoundest wisdom. Ihls,
is the Union our fathers made ana
which has been sorcspccted abroad ana
so bonofcent at home. Tired by blood
and fire. Il stands to-day model torn
Of free popular government; a political
system which. rightly administered has
been sud will continue to be the al
m,ration Of the world. May we no,
saw, nearly in The words OF WashlnS-
ton "The unity OF government when
constitutes us one people is justly dear
TO US; it is the main pillar ~ the eHi-
fec Of our real independence. the sup
mort of our peace, safety and prosperity
and of that liberty we so highly pre-
and intend al every hazard 10 preserve
"But no form Of government how
ever carefully devised, no prnc'ples'
however sound. Will protect the rights
of the people unless the administration
IS faithful and efficient. 1t is a vital
pyiuciple in our system that neither
fraud nor force must he allowed to sub
vert the rights Of The people, When
fraud. violence or incompetence con
trolls. the noblest constitutions ano
wisest laws arc useless. The bayone'
Is not a fit instrument for collecting the
votes of freemen. It's only by iul
vote. free ballot and fair count that thC
roople can rule in fact, as required by
The theory Of our government IaE'
his foundation away and the Who.'
structure falls.
"Public Office is lyusf. not a boun-
o., bos,o,rod imam tho holder. No in
competent or dishonest persons SHOULD
ever be entrusted with it; or, II APP
nointed. they should be promptly re-
/ ctcd. The basis Of substantial, prac
,ical civil service reform must first D'
established by the people in filling th'
elective Offices. II they fix hs'
standard Of qualifications for office, an'
siernly reject lecorcpl and incompe
tent. Inc result viii be decisive IN gov
crniro The acuou OF the servants whom
lhev entru-t sith The appointing power
THE war for lhe Uuion was success
fully closed more nan IL hundred year
ago. All classes OF our people mus
share alike in the blessings OF tn
Union. and are equally concerned III II
perpetuity and III The proper admins
ration Of public affairs. We are IN
state of profound peace Hcnceiort
| let it be our purpose TO cultivate sehu
ments of friendship. and not OF aulmosI
lty. among our tellow-citizens. VA
material interests, varied and progress
slve. demand our constant and ulite
efforts,
A sedulous and scrupulous care c
| the public credit, together with a VS.
and economical management OF our GOV
elnmcntal expenditures, should u
maintained. in order that labor may b
LIGHTLY burdened. and thal all person
| nav be protected in their rights to III
| fruits Of their own Industry. The tim
has come to enjoy the substantial bcnC
| f,s Of reconciliation. As one poop
we have common Interests. Let us en-
COURAGE the harmony and generoI
rivalry among our own industries WHO
viii revive our languishing mercnal
marine. extend our commerce WIN 'ol
einA nations, assist our Merchant
manufacturers and produces to deyeie
our vast ratural resources, ana lncre"'
the prosperity and happiness oil our PEI
pie. ~, D,,;r
"It elected [ shall, with the DiYIn
favor. labor with what ability | posses
to discharge my duties VITA fidelity &c
cording 10 my convictions, and sha
lake care to protect and defend u
Union and to see that the laws
equally and faithfully executed ~
parts OF the country alike. l Will a
r sumo the responsibility FULLY sensible
Il tho TACT that to administer rightly u
, functions OF government, Is 10 dlschaTi
I. the most sacred duty thai can deVol'
upon an American citizen. l am Ne'
respectfully, yours c,,
"WINFIELD 5. HANCOCK.
TO the Hon. Jno. W. Steycn9o
president OF the convention, ITO
John Z. Stockton, chairman, al
others, committee OF The national col
vcntlOn.'
Appointment Readjuster's T.
- SifiOn