Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-08-06
Gen. Hancock's Letter of Acceptance.
To the Hon. John w. Stevenson, President
Of the Convention, Hon. John p. Stock
ton, Chairman, and others, Committee of
the National Convention
GOVERNORS ISLAND,
New YORK CITY, July 20, 1880.

New YORK CITY, July 30, 1880.
Gentlemen IL have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your letter of July 18th,
1880, apprising me formally of my nomina-
ton to the office of President of the United
States by the National Democratic conven-
ton, lately assembled in Cincinnati. ac-
cept the nomination with grateful apprecia-
ton of the confidence reposed in me.
The principles enunciated by the conven-
ton are those ! have cherished in the past,
and shall endeavOr to maintain in the future.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth
amendments to the Constitution of the
United States, embodyng the results of the
war for the Union, are invioable. II called
to the Presidency, | should deem il my duty
to resist with all Of my power any attempt
to impair or evade 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 the United States.
The powers granted by il to the legislative,
executive and judicial departments define
and limit the authority of the general gov
ernment; powers not delegated TO the United
states by the Constitution, nor prohibited by
II to the States, belong TO the States, respec-
lively, or TO the people. The general and
State governments, each acting in To- own
sphere, without touching upon the lawful
Jurisdiction of the other constitute the Union,
comprising general government with gen
eral powers, and State governments with
State powers for purposes local TO the States,
is polity, the foundations of which were
laid in the proloundest wisdom.
| This is the Union our fathers made, and
/ which has been so respected abroad and so
| benciicent at home. Tried by flood and fire
/ 1t stands to-day a model form of free popu
lar government; political system 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 "Fhe unity of government
1 when constitutes us one people is Justly
/ dear TO us; II is the main pillar in the edf.
flee 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 10 preserve" But no form
81 government however carefully devised !,
no principles, however sound. will protect
the rights of the people unless administra.
ton is faithful and efficient IL is n vital
! principle in our system that neither fraud
nor force must be allowed 10 subyert the
rights OF the people. When fraud, violence
or incompetence controls, the noblest con.
sltutlohs ana Wlhcst laws are useless The
hayonet is not fit instrument for collecting
the votes OF ireemen, II is only by full
vote, free ballots and lair count that the
/ people can rule in fact, as required by the
iheory Of our government. Take this toun.
dalton away, aud the whole structure falls
! fubllc Office Is trust, not "A bounty, be.
I slowed upon the holder no incompetent or
dishonest persons should ever be entrusted
with IT. or, if appointed, they should be
/ promptly rejected.
Inc basis OF substantial, practical civil
service reform must first be established by
the people In filling the elective offices. II
they fix high standard Of qualifications for
office, and thereby reject the corrupt and
incompetent the result will he decisive In
governing the action OF the servants whom
they entrust with the appointing power
The war for the Union was successfully
closed more than iilleen year, ago. All