Daily Republican., 1880-07-31
HANCOCK SAYS HE WILL.
His Letter OF Acceptance - The
Promise He Makes with o. Pro-
viso, the PR0viso being, ''If 1 am

Elected"
General Hancock has written the fol-
lowing letter accepting the Democratic
nomination for the Presidency:
GovERNsR's IsLAND,
NRw YORK CRY, July %. 1880.
GRNrLRhBN: ] have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt Of your letter
Of July 18th, 1880, apprising me for
mally Of my nomination to the office Of
President Of the United States by the
National Democratic Convention, lately
assembled in Cincinnati. accept the
nomination with grateful appreciation
Of the confidence reposed in me. The
principles enuneiated by the conven-
ton are those have cherished in the
past and shall endeavor to maintain
In the future. The Thirteenth, Four
teenth aud Fifteenth Amendments TO
the Constitution Of the United States
embodying the results Of the war for
the Union, are inviolable. II called
to the Presidency l should deem 1t 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, 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 to 1t by the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial depart
ments, define and limit the authority
Of the general government. Powers not
delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to
the States, belong TO the States respect
lively or to the people. The general
and State governments, each acting in
its own sphere without trenching upon
the lawful jurisdiction Of the other, con
stituts the Union. This Union, COM
prising general government with gen.
eral powers, and State governments
with State powers, for purposes local
TO the States, is polity the feunda.
tions which were laid in the profound.
est wisdom. This is the Union oar
fathers made and which has been 80 re-
spected abroad and 80 bene6cens at
home. Tried by blood and fre, it
stands to-day q model and form Of free,
popular government. A political sys-
tenn which rightly administered has
been and will continue to be the admi
ration of the world. May we not say
nearly in the words Of Washington:
The unity Of government, which consti'
tutes us one people, is justly dear to
us. 1t is the main pillar in the editice
of our real Independence. The support
of out peace, safety and prosperity,
and Of the liberty we so highly prize,
and intend at ever hazard to preserve,
and no form Of government, however
careiully devised, no principles hcwev-
or sound, will protect the rights Of the
people unless the administration is
faithful and efficient. It is q vital prin-
cipal in our system that neither fraud
nor force must be allowed 10 subvert
the rights Of the people. When fraud,
violence or Incompetence controls, the
noblest constitutions and wisest laws
are useless.
The bayonet Is not fit instrument
for collecting the votes Of freemen. It
ia only by a full vote. free ballot and
fair count that the people can rule, in
J fact is required by the theory Of the
Government. Take this foundation
away and the whole structure falls.
Public office is trust, not a bounty,
bestowed upon its holders.
No incompetent or dishonest persons
should ever be entrusted with 1t, or If
appointed, they should be promptly
elected. The basis Of a substantial,
practical, civil service form must first
be established by the people in filling
| in the elective Offices. II they hx
high standard Of qualifications for Office
and sternly reject the corrupt and IN"
competent, the result will be decisive
| in governing the actien Of the servants
whom they sntrust with the appointing
power. The war OF the Union was sue.
cessfully passed more than fifteen years
ago. Ali classes Of our people mus,
share alike in the blessing Of the Union
and be equally concerned in its perpet'
uity, and in the proper administration
of public affairs. We are In state o.
profound peace, henoeforth, let 1t be
lour purpose to cultivate sentiments o.
friendship and not Of animosity among
Iour citizens. Our material interests
varied and progressive, demand oui
constant and united efforts. A seduloua
and scrupulous care Of the public credit
together with wise and economical
management of our government expen
6itures should be maintained in ordsl
that labor may be lightly burdened
and that all persons may be protected
in their rights 10 the fruits Of their OWE
industry.
The time has come to enjoy the sub
lstsntial benefits Of reconciliation. Al
lone people we have common interests
Let us encourage the harmony and gen
erous rivalry among our own industries
which will revive our languishing mer
chant marine, extend our commerce Will
foreign nations, assist our merchants
Manufacturers and producers to de-
velop our vast resources and increase
: the prosperity and happiness Of oui
people. II elected, / shall, with Divine
favor. labor with what ability possess
10 discharge my duties with fidelity
! according to my convictions. and shal
take care to protect and defend TN
, Union, and to see the laws faithfully
and equally executed in all parts o
the country alike. will assume tn
, responsibility fully sensible OF the TACT
that to administer rightly the Junction.
Of government is TO discharge the nos
sacred duty that can devolve upon al
American oitisen.
Al lam, very respectfully,
Il WINFIELD 8. HAHCocK.
Ito the Hon. John W. Stevenson, Presi
II dent Of the Convention; Hon. John +
a Stockton, Chairman, and others, Q