The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-08-05
Messrs. Hanceck's ana English's Letters
OF Acceptance.
GENERAL HANCOCK.

GENERAL HANCOCK.
NEW YORK, J'Ay N.
The following is General Hancock s
letter of acceptance:
GovERNoR's ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY,
July -, 1881.
GENTtEMEN:-Iha have the honor to acknowl.
edge the receipt of your letter Of July Is,
1881, apprising me formally of my nomina-
ton to the Office of President Of the United
States by the National Democratic Conven-
tion 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 i have cherished in the past
and shall endeaTor 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 inviolable. II called
to the Presidency should deem it my duty
to resist with all my power any attempt TO
/ impair or eTade 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, EI
ecutive and Judicial Departments define and
| limit the authority of the General Govern
! ment Powers not delegated to the United
0
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 trenching upon the
| lawful jurisdiction of the other, constitute
! the Union. This Union, comprising q Gen
eral Government with general powers, and
State Governments with State powers for
| purposes local to the States, is polity the
foundations OF which we're laid in the pro-
| foundest wisdom. This is the Union our IA
theirs made, and which has been so respected
abroad and so benefcent at home. Tried by
blood and fire, it stands to-day model form
of free popular government political sYs-
TEN 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: 'The unity of the Gov
ernment which constitutes one people is Just
" 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
LAW.
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 a 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 noblest
Lonstitutions and wisest laws are useless.
3be bayonetis not fit instrument for col
Getting the votes for freemen. 1t is only by
4 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 it or, If 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, in 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-
tial 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 merchant-marine, extend our com
merce with foreign nations, assist our mer-
chants, manufacturers and producers to de-
velop our vaStnatural resources and increase
the prosperity and happiness Of our people.
CONCLUSION.
II elected / SHALL with Divine favor, labor
with what ability l possess to discharge my
duties with fidelity, according to my convic-
tons, 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 respou-
sibility, fully sensible Of the fact that to adj
minister rightly the functions of Government
is to discharge the most sacred duty that can
devolye upon an American citizen.
am, 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.