Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-08-12
Letters Of Acceptance Of Messrs. Han.
cock and English.

GENERAL HANCOCK.
NEW YORK, July 20.
The following is General Hancock's
letter of acceptance:
july 70, 1850.
GENTLEMEN:-Ihavet the honor to acknowi
edge the receipt of your letter of July Is,
isso' apprrising me e, formally Of my nEmina
States by the National Democratic Conven-
ton lately assembled in Cincinnati. accept
the nomination with grateful appreciation
of the confidence reposed in me.
The principles enunciated by the Conven-
ton are those l have cherished in the past
and shall endeavOr to maintain in the future.
THE CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments to the Constitution Of the
United States, embodyipg the Asults Of the
war for the Union, are inviolable. II called
to the Presidency / should deem it my duty
to resist with all my power any attempt to
impair or evade the full force and effect Of
the Constitution, which in every article, sec
ton 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 it to the Legislative, Ex.
limit the authority Of the General Govern
ment. Powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution nor prohibited
by it to the States belong to the States re-
spectively, or to the people; The General
and State Governments, each acting In it's
own sphere, without trenchipg upon the
lawful jurisdiction of the other, constitute
the Union. This Union, comprising a Gen
sral government with general powers, and
purposes local to the States is q polity the
foundations of which were laid in the pro-
foundest wisdom. This is the Union our ia
theirs made, and which has been SO respected
abroad and 50 beneficent at home. Tried by
blood and fire, it stands to-day a model form
Of free popular government, a political sys-
tenn which, rightly administered, has been.
and will continue to be, the admiration of
the world. May we not say, nearly in the
words of Washington: 1.-THE unity of the Gov
ernment which constitutes one people is just
ly dear to US; it is the main pillar in the edifce
of our real independence, the support of our
peace, safety and prosperity, and of that lib
erty we SO highly prize, and intend at every
hazard to preserve"
THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND
But no form of Government, however care
fully devised-no principles, however sound
will protect the rights Of the people unless
its 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, vio-
lcnce or incompetence controls, the noblest
Constitutions and wisest laws are useless.
The bayonetis not q lit instrument for col
lecting the votes for freemen. It is only by
full vote, free ballot and fair count that the
people can rule in fact, as required by the
theory of our Government Take this foun-
dation away. and the whole structure falls.
Public Office is a trust, not bounty be-
slowed upon the holder. No incompetent
or dishonest person should ever be trusted
with 1t, or, il appointed. they should prompt
ly be elected.
Our material interests, varied and progress
i've, demand our constant and united efforts.
A sedulous and scrupulous care of the pub
bic credit, together with q wise and econom-
ical management of our Governmental ex-
that labor may be lightly burdened, aud that
all persons may be protected in their right to
the fruits of their own industry.
The time has come to enjoy the substan-
tal benefits of reconciliation. As one peo-
pie, we have common interests. Let us en-
courage harmony and generous rivalry among
our own industries, which will revive our lam
gushing merchantmarine, extend our COM
merce with foreign nations, assist our mer-
chants, manufacturers and producers to de-
velop our vast natural resources and increase
the prosperity and happiness Of our people.
CONCLUSION.
II elected, I shall, with Divine favor, labor
duties with fidelity, according to my convfc-
TONS and shall take caro- to protect and de-
fend the Union, and to see that the laws be
faithfully and equally executed in all parts of
the country alike. / will assume the respon-
sibility, fully sensible of the fact that to ad-
minister rightly the functions of Government
Is to discharge the most sacred duty that can
devolve upon an American citizen.
lam, very respectfully, yours,
w. s. HANCOCK.
To the Hon. John w. Stevenson, President
of the Convention; Hon. John p. Stockton,
Chairman; and others of the Committee Of
the National Democratic Convention.