Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-20
General Arthur's Letter OF Ae-
ceptance.
New YokK, July Is, 1880

NEW YORK, July Is, lSco
DEAR SRI. accept the position assigned
me by the great party whose action you an
nounce. The acceptance implies the APPROX
al ofthe principles declaredhy the convention
but recent usage permits me TO assume an
expression of my views, thoughts and duty
To secure honesty and order in popular cleo
tons is a matter so vital that il must stand IN
the front. The authority ofthe National Gov
eminent to preserve from fraud and force
elections at which its own officers are chosen,
is the chief point on which the two par
ties are plainly and intensely opposed. Inc
acts of Congress for ten years IN New York
and elsewhere have done much to curb the
violence and wrong To which the ballot anu
the count have been again and again sub
iec,ed. sometimes despoiIing great cities,
sometimes sitting the voice of a whole State.
often seating not only in Congress but on the
Bench and in the Legislature numbers of
men never chosen by the people The dem
ocraric party since gaining possession Of the
two houses of Congress, has made these just
laws objects of bitter, ceaseiess assault. AMI
despite all resistance has hedged them with
restrictions. cunningly contrived TO battle and
paralyze them. This aggressive majority
boldly attempted to extort from the Execu-
tive his approval of various enaetments, des-
tructive of the election laws, by the revolu-
tionary threat that the constitutional exer-
else of the veto power would be punished by
Withholding the appropriations necessary to
carry on the Government, and these threats
were actually carried out by refusing needed
appropriations and by forcing an extra ses-
sion of Congress, which lasted for months,
and resulted in concessions 10 this usurping
demand which is likely in many States TO
subject the majority to the lawless will OF
minority Ominous signs of public disap
prevail alone subdued this arrogant power in
to a sulen surrender for the time being of
part of its demand. The republican party
has strongly approved the stern refusal of its
representatives to suffer the overthrow of
statutes believed to be salutary and just. 1t
has ALWAYS insisted and now insists that the
government of the United States of America
is empowered and in duty bound TO effectual-
ly protect the elections designated by the
constitution as national. More than this.
the republican party holds as cardinal point
in its creed that the government should by
every means known to the constitution pro-
tect all American citizens, everywhere. in
the full enjoyment of their civil and political
rights. As a great part of the work OF re-
construction the republican party gave the
ballot to the emancipated slave as his right
and defence. A large increase in the number
of members of Congress and Of the electoral
college from the former slave holding States
was the immediate result. The history of
recent years abounds in evidence that in
many ways and in many places, especially
where their number has been great enough
to endanger democratic control, the very
men by whose elevation to citizenship this
increase of representation was effected have
been debarred and robbed of their voice and
their vote.
1t is true that no statute or constitution in
so many words denies or abridges the exer-
else of their political rights, but the modes
employed to bar their way are no less effect
ual. 1t is suggestive and startling thought
that the increased power derived from the
Acknowledgement of the race now denied its
share in governing the country. by
those who lately sought the overthrow of the
Government, is now the sole reliance to defeat
the party which represents the sovereignty
and nationality of the American people in
the greatest crisis of our history. Republic
cans cherish none of the resentments which
may have animated them during the actual
conflict of arms. They long for full and
real reconstruction between the sections
which were needlessly and iamentably at
strife; they sincerely offer the hand of good
will, but they ask in return the hand of good
faith.
They deeply feel that the party whose ca
reer is so illustriQusly great in patriotic
achievements will not fulfill its destiny until
peace and prosperity are established in all the
land, nor until liberty Of thought. conscience
and action, and equality of opportunity shall
rot be merely the cold formality ofthe statutes,
but living birthrights, which the humble NAV
confidently claim and the powerful dare
IL
service seems to be deserving of approval.
Surely no man should be the incumbent IF an
office, the duties of which he is for any cause
unfit to perform. who is lacking in the ability,
fidelity or integrity which proper admins
tration of such office demands This senti-
ment would doubtless meet with general acqui-
escence. but opinion has been widely divided
upon the wisdom and practicability ofvarious
reformatory schemes which have been suggest
ed and ofcertain proposed regulations govern
ing appointment to public office.
The efficiency of such regulations has
been distrusted mainly because they have
seemed to exalt mere educational and alb
stracts tests above general business capacity
and even special fitness for particular work
in hand. 1t seems to me that the rules
which should be applied to the management
of public service. may properly conform in
the main to such as regulate the conduct of
successful private business. Original ap-
pointments should be based on ascertained
fitness.
The tenure ofoffice should be stable Posi-
tions of responsibility should so far as
practicable be filled by promotion of worthy
and efficient officers. Investigation of all
complaints and punishment of all official
misconduct, should be prompt and thorough.
These views which have long held, repeat
eddy declared and uniformly applied, when
called upon to act, find embodied in the
resolutions which. of course. approve
| will add that by the acceptance of public
Office. whether high or low one does not in
my Judgment escape any of his responsible
ties as citizen nor lose nor impair any of a
citizens rights. That he should enjoy abso-
lutte liberty to think and speak and act in po-
litical matters according to his own will and
conscience, provided only that he honorably.
faithfully and fully discharges all his official
duties.
Resumption of specie payments, one
of the fruits Of the republican party,
has brought return of abundant prosperity and
the settlement of many distracting questions.
The restoration of sound money. the large
reduction of the public debt and of the bur-
den of interest, the high advancement of pub
lie credit, all attest the ability and courage of
Al L