The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-13
LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE
OF GENERAL JAMES a. GARFIELD.
The Republican Nominee For the
Presidency-A Plain statement
Of His Views, and the
Points Of the
Campaign.

n
field has forwarded to Senator Hoar, o
, Massachusetts,, the following letter OF &C
ceptauce Of the nomination rendered hin
by the Republican National Convention
MENTOR, ONO, July l2.
DEAR Sir: On the evening Of the Stt
Of June last had the honor to receive
from you, in the presence Of the committee
OF which you were chairman, the official
announcement that the Republican Ma
tional Convention at Chicago, had thai
day nominated me as their candidate fol
President Of the United States. l accepI
the nomination with gratitude for the con
fidence 1t implies, and with deep sense
Of the responsibilities 1t imposes. l cor
daily endorse the principles set forth in
the platform adopted by the convention
on nearly all the subjects Of which ii
treats. My opinions are on record among
the published proceedings OF Congress. /
venture, however, to make special mention
OF the principal topics which are likely to
become subjects OF discussion.
STATE RIGHTS AND DrsFRANcHIsIMENT IN
THE SOUTH.
Without reviewing the controversies
which have been settled during the last
twenty years, and with no purpose or
wish to revive the passions Of the late
war, 1t should be said that while the Re.
publicans fully recognize, and will strenu-
ously defend all the rights retained by the
people and all the rights reserved to the
States, they reiec. the pernicious doctrine
OF State supremacy, which so long crippled
the functions OF the National Govern
ment, and at one time brought
the Union very near to destruction.
They insist that the United States is a
nation with ample powers Of self.preserva-
ton; that It's constitution and the laws
made in pursuance thereof are the su-
preme laws OF the land; that the right OF
The nation to determine the method by
which its own Legislature shall be created
cannot be surrendered without abdicating
one OF the fundamental powers of the
Government; that the national laws re-
lating to the election of representatives in
Congress shall neither be violated nor
eyaded; that every elector shall be permit.
ted freely and without intimidation to
cast his lawful vote at such election, and
have 1t honestly counted, and that the po-
tency OF his vote shall not be destroyed by
the fraudulent vote OF any other person.
The best thoughts and energies ot our
people should be directed to these great
questions OF national well-being 10 which
all have common interest. Such efforts
will soonest restore to perfect peace those
who were laiely.in arms against each 9th
er; for Justice and goodwill will ouLlast
passion. But it is certain that the wounds
Of tho late war cannot be completely
healed, and the spirit OF brotherhood can.
not pervade the whole country until
every citizen, rich or poor, white or black,
is secure in the free and equal enjoyment
OF every civil and political right, guaran-
teed by the constitution and the laws.
Wherever the enjoyment OF these rights
Is not assured, discontent will prevail, i'm
migration will cease and the social and in-
dustrial forces will continue TO he dis.
turbed by tie migration OF laborefS and
the consequent diminuLion OF prosperity.
The natl nal government should exercise
all its constitutional authority TO put an
end to these evils; for all the people and
all the States are members oi one body,
and no member eau suffer without injury
to all. The most serious evils which now
atflict the South arise from the fact that
there Is not such freedom aud liberation
OF political opinion and action that the
minority party can exercise any effective
and wholesome restraint upon the party
in power. Without such restraint party
rule becomes tyrapnical and corrupt. The
prosperity which Is made possible in the
South by It's great advantages OF soil and
climate will never be realized until every
voter can freely aud safely support any
party he pleases.
POPULAR EDUCATION.
Next in importance to freedom and Jus.
tice is popular education, without which
neither Justice nor freedom can be per-
msnently maintained. It's interests in
trusted to the States and to the voluntary
action OF the people, whatever help the
nation can Justly afford should be gener-
ously given TO aid the States in supporting
common schools. But it would be unjust
to our people and dangerous to our instt'
tutions to apply any portion OF the reye-
nues OF the nation, or OF the States, TO the
support OF sectarian schools. The separa.
ton Of the Church and the State in every
thing relating to taxation should be abso'
lutte.
NATIONAL FINANCES.
On the subject Of National finances my
views have been SO frequently and fully
expressed that little is needed in the way
OF additional statement. The public debt
is now so well secured aud the rate OF m.
nual interest has been so reduced by re.
funding that the rigid economy in expen-
ditures, and the faithful application OF our
surplus revenues to the payment Of the
principal OF the debt win gradually but
certainly free the people from It's burdens,
and close with honor the financial chapter
OF the war. At the same time the govern.
meut can provide for all It's ordinary ex-
peuditures, and discharge its sacred obliga.
lions to the soldiers OF the Union and to
the widows and orphans Of those who fell
in its defense.
The resumption Of specie payments,
which the Republican party SO courageous
" and successfully accomplished, has re.
moved from the field OF controversy many
questions that long aud seriously disturbed
the credit Of the Government and the
business OF the country. Our paper cur.
rency Is now as national as the flag, and
resumption has not only made 1t every.
everywhere equal to coin, but has brought
into use our store Of gold and silver. The
circulating medium Is more abundant than
ever before, aud we need only to maintain
the equality of all our dollars TO insure to
labor and capital measure Of value IRON
the use OF which no one can suffer loss
The great prosperity which the country Il
now enjoying should not be endangered
by any violent change or doubtful hnan
cial experiments.
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