The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-08-07
General Hancock's Letter OIL
Acceptance,
The following is the full text of Cen
eral Hancock's letter accepting the
Democratic nomination for President:
GOVERNORS ISLAND, }
NEW YORK CITY,

GOVERNORS ISLAND.
NEW YORK CITY,
July %, 1880. }
GENTLEMEN: Ihave the honor to &C.
knowledge the receipt of your letter OF
July IL, 1880, apprising me formally of
my nomination to the Office of Presi-
dent of the United States by the Ma
tional Democratic Convention lately
assembled in Cincinnati. accept the
nomination with grateful appreciation
of the confidence reposed in me.
The principles enunciated by the con-
vention are those have cherished ia
the past, and shall endeavor to main-
tain in the future.
The thirteenth, fourteenth and ff.
teenth amendments to the Constitution
of the United States, embodying the re
suits of the war for the Union, are in
vioble. If called to the presidency. l
should deem it my duty to resist with
all OF my power any attempt to impair
or eyade 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
by it to the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial departments de-
line and limit the authority of the gen.
eral government; powers not delegated
to the United States by the Constitu-
ton, nor prohibited by it to the States.
belong to the States respectively, or to
the people. The general and State gov
e1nments, each acting in its own sphere
without trenching upon the lawful
jurisdiction of the other, constitute the
Union. This Union, comprising gen
eral government with general powers,
and State governments with State
powers for purposes local to the States,
is a polity, the foundations of which
were laid in the profoundest wisdom.
This is the Union our fathers made,
and which has been sOrespected abroad
and so benefcient at home. Tried by
blood and fire, it stands to-day model
form OF free popular governmental
political system which, rightly admin
istered, 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 government
which constitutes us one people is Justly
dear to us; it is the main pillar in the
edifice of our real independence, the
support of our peace, safety, and pros
perity, and of that liberty we so highly
prize and intend at every hazard to pre-
serve.
But no form of government however
carefully devised, no principles how
ever sound, will protect the rights of the
people. unless administration is faithful
and efficient. 1t is vital principle in
our system that neither fraud nor force
must be allowed to subvert the rights of
the people. When fraud, violence, or
incompetence controls, the noblest Con-
situations and wisest laws are useless.
The bayonet is not fit instrument for
collecting the votes of freemen. 1t is
only by full vote, free ballot, and fair
count that the people can rule in fact as
required by the theory of our govern
ment. Take this foundation away and
the whole structure falls.
Public office is a trust, not a bounty
bestowed upon the holder: no incompe-
tent or dishonest persons should ever
be intrusted with it, or if appointed,
they should be promptly elected. The
basis OF a substantial, practical civil
service reform must first be established
by the people in filing the elective
offices; if they fix high standard of
qualifications for office, and sternlg
reject the corrupt and incompetent, the
result will be decisive in governing the
action of the servants whom they in
trust with appointing power.
The war for the Union was success
fully closed more than fifteen years ago.
All classes of our people must share
alike in the blessings of the Union, and
are equally concerned in its perpetuity,
and in the proper administration of pub
lie affairs. We are in state of pro.
found peace. Henceforth let it be our
purpose to cultivate sentiments of
friendship, and not of luminosity. among
our fellow-citizens. Our material in
terests, varied and progressive, demand
our constant and united efforts. A
sedulous and scrupulous care of the
public credit, together with a wise
and economical management OF
our government expenditures, shoul d
be maintained 10 order that labor
may be lightly burdened, and that al
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 peo-
pie we have common interests. Let US
encourage the harmony and generous
rivalry among our own industries which
will revive our languishing merchant
marine, extend our commerce with for
eign nations, assist our merchants,
manufacturers and producers to develop
our vast natural resources, and increase
the prosperity and happiness ofour peo-
Sle.
If elected / shall, with the Divine
favor, labor with what ability possess,
to discharge my duties with fidelity, ac-
cording to my convictions, and shall
take care to protect and defend the
Union, and to see that the laws be faith
full y and equally executed in all parts
of the country alike. 1 will assume the
responsibility fully sensible of the fact
that to administer rightly the functions
of government is to discharge the most
sacred duty that can devolve upon an
American citizen.
am, very respectfully, yours,
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK,
To the Hon. JOHN w. STEVENSON, presi-
dent of the convention; the Hon.
JOHN P. STOCKTON. chairman, and
others of the committee of the Ma.
tional Democratic convention.
Wefds of US dom