The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-08-04
E5ancocA's letter o fAcceptamee.

NEW YORK, July 30.-The following is
Gen. Hancock S letter Of acceptance:
GoyERSoR's ISLAND, NEW IoHK CITY,
July 90, 1880.
GENTLEMEN: have the honor to ackuoU-
ledge the receipt OF your letter Of July 18th,
1880, apprising lie formally Of my nomina-
ton 10 the office Of President Of the United
States hv the National. Democratic Com
yeuti0n' !aIr!v assembled III Cincinnati. |
ACCEPT til" nomination with grateful apprc-
citation OF the cnutiIcucc r2pn>cL III M. The
principles rnLncia cd by lie convention are
those | have cherished i'll ihc pas, &';d shah
cnlicaycr 10 ulain;uil in the future. TIE iilir-
tecn;h, tourt enlh and fifteenth u,nenlments
to demonstration OF the United States, en-
bodying the results of the war for the union
are lnviolabe. II called % the Presidency |
should deem il my duty to resist with a! ofmy
power any attempt 10 impair or cYade the
full force and effect Of the constitution which
in every article, section and amcndmenE is
the supreme law of the lard. The con$ti-
tuition forms the basis Of tie goyernnlento Of
the United States. The powers granted by
il, to the Legislative, executive, and judi
ci"l departments define and limit The au-
thority Of the general government The
powers not delegated to the United States by
tie constitution, nor prohibited by if to the
States belong to States re>pcctiye!y-or to
the people. The general and state govern
mentS, e.ch acting in its own sphere without
trenciling upon the lawful Jurisdiction Of the
other, constitute the union. This union,
comprising general government with State
powers for purposes local to the States, is
poity, the foundation Of which were laid in
profoundeSt wisdom. This is the uuion Our
fathers made, and which has been so re-
spected abroad and so beneficial at home.
Tried by blood and fire, itStands to-day
model form of free popular governmental
political system, which, rightly admin
istered, has been, and will continue 20 be,
the admiration Of the world. May we not
say nearly in the words Of Washington,
"The unity of the government which con-
Stitu:es US one people.iS. justly dear to US.
1t 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, however care
fully devised, no principles, however sound.
will protect the rights of the people unless
the administration is faithful and efficient.
It is vital principle: in our system that
ueither fraud nor force must be allowed TO
subyert the rights Of the people. When
fraud, violence or incom petence controls, the
nobleSt constitutions and: wiSeSt laws are
useless. The bayonet is not fit instrument
for collecting the votes Of -freemen. ItiS on
Iy by a full vote, free ballot and fair count
that the people can ralc in fact, as is re-
quired by the theory OF our government.
Take this foundation away and hewhole
structure falls. = - =
Public Office is trust, not bounty be-
slowed upon. the holders. No incompetent
or dishonest person should ever be intrustcd
with it, or if appointed, they should be
promptly elected. The basis of substantial
practical civil service reform must first be
established by the people in filling the cleo
tive offices. If. they fix high standard OF
qualifications for the Office, and strictly re-
ject the corrupt and incompetent, the re-
suit will be 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 fifteen years ago. All
classes Of our people must share alike in tue
blessings of the Union, and are equally con-
cerned in its perpetuity and in The proper
administration Of public affairs. We are in
Il state OF profound peace. Henceforsh let
it be our purpose to cultivate sentiments Of
fellow-citizeus. Our national ,interests-Ya-
ried and progressive-demand our constant
and united efforts.
A SedulcuS and scrupulous care Of public
credit, together with wise and economical
management of our governmental -'eXpen-
ditures should be maintained, in order that
labor may be lightly burdened, and that all
persons may be protected in their rights to
the fruits Of their own industry. The time
has come to enjoy the substantial benefits Of
reconciliation. As one people VIC have com
mon interests. Let US encourage the har-
mony and generous rivalry among our own
industries which will revive our lansuishing
merchant-marine, extend our commerce with
foreign countries, assist our merchants, man
utacturerS and producers to develop our vast
national resources. and increase the pros
perity and happineSs Of our people.
IF elected I shall, with the Divine favor,
with what ability possess cndeavor to dis
charge my duties with fidelity, according to
my convictions, and shall take care to protect
and defend the Union, and to see thatthe laws
be faithfully and equally executed in all
parts Of the country alike. will assume the
responsibility, fully sensible OF the fact that
to administer rightly the functions Of the gov
ernmcnt is to discharge the most sacred duty
that can devolye upon an American citizen.
am, very respectfully,
WINFIELD SCoTT HANCOCK.
To Hon. John w. Stevenson, President Of
the Convention; Hon. John p. Stockton,
Chairman, and others of the Committee Of
the National Democratic Convention: