Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-08-06
Mossrs. Iancock's aud Engllsh's Letters
or Acceptance.
GENERAL HANCOCK.


GENERAL HANCOCK.
NEW YoRW July 20.
The following is General Hancock's
letter Of acceptance:
GovERNoR's ISLAND, NEW YoRe Ctrv,
have the honor 10 acknowi
edge the receipt Of your letter Of July 13,
1880, apprising me formally Of my nomna-
tion 10 the Office Of President Of the United
States by the National Democratic Conven-
tlon lately assembled in Cincinnati. ! accept
the nomination with grateful appreciation
Of the confidence reposed in me.
The principles enunciated by the Conven-
tion are those / 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, embOdying the results OF the
war for the Union, are inyiolable. II called
10 the Presidency / should deem it my duty
to resist with all my power any attempt 10
impair or evade the full force and effect Of
the Constitution, which in every article, sec
tion 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
ecutive and Judicial Departments define and
limit the authority Of the General Govern
ment Powers not delegated to the United
by It to the States belong to the States re-
spectively, or to the people. The General
aud State Governments, each acting In its
own sphere, without trenChiDg upon the
lawful Jurisdiction Of the other, constitute
the Union. This Union, comprising a Gen
eral Government with general powers, and
State Governments with State powers for
purposes local 10 the States, Ia polity the
foundations OF which were laid In the pro-
foundest wisdom. This is the Union our IA
fhnWr uaaAn md vrhfoh ha NrN
abroad and so benefceut at home. Tried by
blood and FIRE, It stands to-day a model form
Of free popular government political sys-
TEN which, rightly administered, has been,
and will continue 10 be, the admiration OF
the world. May we not say, nearly In the
words Of Washingtoni "Tbe unity Of the Gov
ernment which constitutes one people Ia Just
ly dear 10 us it is the main pillar In the ediice
OF our real independence, the support Of our
peace, safety and prosperity, and Of that lib
erty we 80 highly prize, and intend at every
hazard 10 preserve"
THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF GOVERNMENT AND
LAW.
But no form Of Government, however care
fully deylsed-nO principles, however sound
will protect the rights Of the people unless
its administration is faithful and efficient. II
Is vital principle in our system that neither
fraud nor force must be allowed TO subvert
the rights Of the people. When fraud, vio-
lenCe or incompetence controls, the nobest
The bayonetis not a tt instrument for col
lecting the votes for freemeu. IL 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 foun-
dalton away, and the whole structure falls.
Public Office is trust, not bounty be-
slowed upon the holder. No incompetent
or dishonest person should ever be trusted
with it, or, II 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
lie credit, together with wise and econom-
ical management of our Governmental ex-
penditures, should be maintained, I'm order
that labor may be lightly burdened and that
all persons may be protected in their right TO
the fruits OF their own industry.
The time has come TO enjoy the substan-
tlal 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 Ian
gushing merchant-marine, 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, shall, with Divine favor, labor
with what ability possess to discharge nv
duties with fidelity, according to my convic-
tioDs and shall take care 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-
sibillty, 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.
am, very respectfully, yours
W. s. HANCOCK.
of the Convention; Hon. John r. Stockton.
chairman; and others of the Committee of
the National Democratic Convention.