, 1880-08-09
Letters Of AccePt:ln ce.
GOVERNORS ISLAND, N. Y. CITY,
july 80, 1880.

July 80, ICOo.
GENTLEMEN Il have the honor to ac-
! knowledge receipt of your letter of July
13, 1889, apprising me formally of my
nomination to the office of President of
the United States, by the Matte nal Dem-
ocratic Convention, lately assembled in
Cincinnati. accept the nomination with
grateful appreciation of the confidence
reposed in me. The principles enume-
ra ed by the Convention are those have
cherished in the past and shall endeavor
to maintain in the future.
The 18th, 14th and 18th amendments
to the Constitution OF the United States,
em5odying the result of the war for the
Union, are inviolable. If called to the
Presidency. l shall deem it my duty to
resist with all my power any attempt to
impair or evadc the full torce and effect
of the Constitution which in every article,
section AMI amendment, is the supreme
law of The and. The Constitution forms
the basis of the government of the United
States. The powers granted by it to the
Legislative, Executive and Judicial De-
partments, define and limit the authority
OF the General Government, powers rot
delegated to us 10y the Constitution nor
prohibited by it to the States belong to
the States respectively, or to the people
The General and State Governments, each
acting in its own sphere, without trench
ing upon the lawful jurisdiction of the
other, constitute the Union. this com
pri>ips General Government with gems
eral powers and that of Governments
with State powers for purposes local to
States, is a policy, the foundations OF
which where laid in profeundest wisdom.
This is the Union our fathers made and
which has been so respected abroad and
so beneticent at home. Tried by blood
and fire. it stands to-day model form of
a free and powerful Government, a 90
hticsi system which, rightly administer
ed, has been and will continue to be, the
admiration of the world. May we not
say, nearly in the words of Washington:
The union OF government which consti
tutes oae people is justly 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
liberty we so highly prize and intend at
every hazard to preserve; but no form
of government, towever carefully devils
ed; no principles, however sound, will
protect the rights Of the people unless
the Administration is faithful and eff
clent
1t is vital principle in our system
that neither fraud nor force must be al
lowed to subvert the rights of the people
When fraud, violence or incompetence
controls, the nobest Constitutions or
wisest laws are useless The Dayonet is
not fit instrument for collecting the
votes of freemen. 1t is only by full vote,
free ballot and fair count that people can
rule. In fact, 1t is required by the theory
| of our Government. Take this founda--
ton away, and the whole system falls.
| Public office is trust, not bounty,
bestowed upon the holder. No incom-
petent or dishonest person should ever be
entrusted with it or appointed. They
should promptly be elected.
Our National interests, varied and pros
gresslve, demand our constant and united
efforts. A sedulous and scrupulous care
of public credit, together with wise and
economical management of our govern
mental expenditures, sh0nld be mains
tanned in order that labor may be lightly
hurdened and that all persons may be-
protected in theil rights to the fruits of
their own industry.
The time has come to enjoy the prac>
tical benefits of reconciliation as one peo-
pie. We have common interests, let US
encourage harmony and generous rivalry
amoung our own industries, which will
revive our languishing merchant marine,
extend our commerce with foreign Ma
tions, assist our merchants, manufacturers
and producers to develop our vast Ma