Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-08-14
letter Of lircepfancc from Gen. ". 5
, Hancock.

The following Is Gen. Hancock letter OF
Acceptance of the democratic nomination
for Prcsido,,. of the United States:
"Gerernsf's f'nd. .Ss,r York Gfy, July
%. 1850 -Goatlcmcn: have the honor 10
acknowledge The receipt of yorr letter OF
july ~, 1850, aPprising me formally OF
my nolninatica to sac oilice oi President OF
the United States by the National Demo
cratic Convention lately assembleii IN Gin
cnnaii. + accep, ihe nomination with
grateful appreciation of the confidence re-
pos..I in me. TIC principles onunciated by
;he conveat on are those / have cherished
in the pasi aad -l.ali cildcayor to maintain
in the f.T;trc.
"'rhc thirlecn,h fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments 20 sio constitution OF the lni-
ted extes ei.ihsdying the results oi the war
icr the Uaipn, arr inyi0lahle. II called Ia
the lr.~idcacs should deem 1t my dutyto
rcft with ali Of my power amy attempt to
iniaaif or eyad the inll force and effect of
The constitution, which, in every article,
section and amendment, is the supreme law
al shc land. Tie constitution icrms The
basis &c ihc government OF the United
States. Tie poscrs granted by the lcgisla-
tive. e>c4ntiee and Judicial departments dc.
iac and lirii; ihc authority OF the general
government Powers not delegated TO the
United State, is the constitution, nor pro
hibitcd ~ IL % he States, belong to The
states, respectively, or the people. The
general and Ststc governments, each acting
an its owa aphcrc, without touching upolt
the lawful Jurisdiction Of the other, consti-
tn.e the Union This Union comprising
general government with general powers,
and State governments with state powers
for pur2cscs local to the States, il u policy
the foundation of which were laid in the
pro.ohnd.~: wisdom. This i the Union our
atncrs made, and which has been 80 respect
ed abroad and 50 bcHciiccnta at home. Tried
BIZ blood aad fire, Il stands to-day modci
fsrrn of free popular government; politi-
cal system which, rightly administered, lias
been and will continue TO be the admiration
of The world hiay we not SAY, nearly ~
ihe words Of Washington: The unity OF
Government which constitutes us one people
is Justly dear g. us; il is the main pillar in
.hS cdiicc Of our real independence, The
support of our peace. safety and prosperity,
and OF that liberty we 50 highly prize and
intend at cycry haznrd 20 preserve
"Ba. no form of government However
carefully devised no principles, however
sound. viii protect the rights Of the people
unless the administration il faithful and cf
fcient II Is vital principle IN oursystcn
that neither fraud nor force must bc allowed
10 subyert the rights of the people When
fraud. viocnccor incompetence controls, the
noblcst constitutions and wisest laws are tise-
less. The bayonct il not Ut instrument
for collecting the votes of irecmcn. III -
only by a full vote. free ballo, and fair count
that lhc people can rule in fact, as required
by tic theory OF our government Take
this foundation away and the whole siruc-
ture ftls
Public Office i q trust not bounty be
slowed upon the holder. 40 incompetent
or III lishoncst -pcrons should ever be ontrust-
od with liz or If appointed, they should be
promptly rejected. The basis of substan-
iial. 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 stcrnly reject
Che corrupt and incompetent, the result Will
be decisive in governing the action OF the
servants whom they on;rust with the APP
pointing power.
"Thc war for the Union was successfully
closed more than hundred years ago. All
classes OF orr people must share alike in the
blessings Of the Union, and are equally cor
corned in It's pcrpctuity and in the proper
administration Of public affairs. We are in
state of profound peace. llenceiorth ley
II De our purpose 10 cultivate sentiments oi
friendship. and not OF anim0sity, amongour
feliov-citi1cns. oar material interests, va
ricd aud progfcg.iyc. demand our constant
and united efforts.
4 ..fuI1,ug .frrI anrftwtffgu4 care ot illp
pnblic credit. together with wise and eco
nomical management of our governmental
axpcnditures. should be maintained, in order
that labor may be lightly burihencd, and
that al persons may be protected IN their
rights - the fruits Of their own industry
The ti0c has come to enjoy the substantial
bencGa Of reconciliation. "A one people
ye have ConnOn interests. Lci Us CncDur-
aye the harmony and generous nyalry
among orr own industries which viii revive
our languishing merchant marine, extend
our commerce r'ith foreign nations, assist
our merchants, manufacturers and producers
20 develop our vast natural resources, and
increase the prosperity and happiness oi
our people.
II elected shall, with the Divine favor,
i labor with that ability possess To discharge
ms duties with fidelity, according to my
convictions, and shall take care to pro'cct
and defend the Union and 10 see that fliH
law, be equally aud faithfully executed In
all parts of tie country alike. J viii as
sume the responsibility faily sensible Of tTo
fact that TO administer rightly the functions
Of government is to discharge the most s1-
cred dnty t,iat can dcyOive upon an Ameri-
can citiz.n. am, very respectfully, your,
"WMPiELD :. HANCOCK.
"To the Hon. ,Ino. W. Stevenson, preli-
dent of the convention, Hon. John J.. Stock
ton. chairnan, and others, committee Of the
national convention"