The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-08-06
The Letters of Acceptance.

General Hancock's letter accepting the
Democratic nomination for the Presidency,
which we print on our first page this week,
is mastery document. It's clear, forcible
and vigorous in style, and its sentiments can
be cordially subscribed to, not only by every
Democrat, but by every man in whose heart
aspark of patriotism exists. General Han
cock endorses the platform adopted by the
Democratic Convention at Cincinnati, and
declares the Constitution as it is to be the
supreme law of the land. His definition OF
the respective powers of the Federal and
State Governments is clear and explicit and
are such as the Democratic party has in
variably held
He declares to be a vital principle of our
political system that neither fraud nor force
must'be allowed TO subvcrt the rights of the
people, and tersely says that "Thc bayonet is
nota fit instrument for collecting the votes
of freemen. 1t is only by a full vote, free
ballot and fair count that the people can
rule in fact, as required by the theory of our
government"
He does not pander to professional politi-
clans, promising the rewards of office for
political services, but declares, boldly and
honestly, that public Office is a trust, not a
bounty bestowed upon the holder; no incom-
potent or dishonest persons should ever be
entrusted with it, or if appointed they should
be promptly elected" He points out the
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civil-service reform must first be established
by the people themselves in filling the elect
i've Offices that a high standard of qualiiica-
tions should be required of those they elect
to office.
He recognizes one fact, which many Rcpub-
lican leaders have apparently forgotten,
namely, that the war is over, and that all
classes must share alike in the blessings of
the union, and are alike concerned in its per-
petuity and in the proper administration of
public affairs. He urges the cultivation of
sentiments of friendship and not of animos-
ty among our fellow citizens; the care of the
public credit and economy in our govern
mental expenditures, sin order that labor
may be lightly burdcned and that all persons
may be protected in their rights to the fruits
of their own industry"
The letter is short, but it is rcplete with
wise and patriotic utteranccs. There is no
shuflling or evasion in single line of il, but
il sets forth the sentiments of nm honest man,
who knows the duties and responsibilities of
the position to which he aspires, and intends
to perform them. 1t is the more valuable in
giving an insight into Gen. Hancock's char
acter, because it is private letter, written
unreservedy by one soldier to another, and
and with no expectation that it would ever
be published.
Hon. William II. English's letter of accept
ance of the nomination for the Vice Presidcn-
cy, is longer document than that of Gen.
Hancock, and enters more into detail in cx-
pressing the sound Democratic principles
held by that distinguished gentleman,
He pays handsome compliment to Gen
cral Hancock whom he designated as n
"great statesman and soldier" He thinks q
continuance of the Republican party four
years longer would not be beneficial to the
public or in accordance with the spirit of our
Republican institutions. He arraigns the Re-
publican party for putting men in office be-
cause ofcorrupt partisan services, in defeating
the fairly and legally expressed will of the
majority, and for the hypocrisy of its profess
sons of cvil-scrvice reform, as shown by plac-
ing such men in office and turning the whole
brood of federal office-holders loose to in
fluence the elections.
He declares the contest to be between the
people endeavoring to regain the political
power which rightfully belongs to them, and
to restore the pure, simple, economical, con-
sttutional government Of our fathers, on the
one side, and hundred thousand federal
of1icc-holders aud their hackers, determined
to retain their places, on the other
1t is to this endeavor to retain place and
power that Mr.. English ascribes the constant
assumption of new and dangerous powers by