The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-08-07
THEY ACCEPT.
Letters Of Acceptance Of the De mocratic Presi'
Dental Candidates.
Nancock's Letter.
GOVERNOR ISLAND, New YonK Cry


GOVERNOR ISLAND, New York Cry, !
July 30, 1880
GENTLEMEN II have the honor to acknow
edre the receipt OF your letter OF July IL, 1881
appriSing me formally of my nomination
the Office of President OF the Un!ted States b
the National Democratic Convention lately a:
sembled in Cincinnati. | accept the nomlni
ton with grateful appreciation of the conf
deuCe reposed in me, The principles enunc
ated by the Convention are those | have chez
ished in the past, and shall endeavor to main
tain IN the future. The Thirteenth, FourteeRtl
and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution
of the United States embodylng the results o
the war for the Union, are inviolable If call
ed to the Presidency shall deem 1t my dut.
TO resist with all my power any attempt 70 I'm
pair or evadc the full force or effect of the Con
stitution, which in every article, section ant
amendment, is the supreme law of the land
The Constitution forms the basis OF the Gov
eminent of the United States. The power
granted to it by the legislative executive ant
judicial departments define and limit the an
thoritv of the General Governments and pow
ers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohi blted by ii to the States
belong to the States respectively or to the peo
pie
The General and State Governments, each
acting in Its own sphere without touching up
on the lawful jurisdiction of the other constr
tute the Union This Union, comprising a
General Government with general powers, and
State Governments with State powers for the
purposes local to the States, is pOlty, the
foundations OF which were laid in the pro.
foundest wisdom This is the Union our faith
ers made. and which has been so respected
abroad and so bencticent at home. Tried by
h1nrl anj Grn ~ off tp.1ov q modal form
of free, popular government; a political sys-
TEN, which, rightly administered, 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 the Government
which constitutes us one people is Justly dear
to us; it Is the main pillar in The edfice of our
real independence, the support Of our peace,
safety and prosperity, and of that liberty we
50 highly prize, and intend, at every hazard,
TO preserve But no form of government how
ever carefully devised, no principles however
sound, will protect the rights OF the people,
unless the administration Is faithful und eff
cient.
1t is n vital principle III our system that
neither fraud nor force must be allowed To
subvert the rights OF the people. When fraud,
violence or incompetence controls, the nObles
The bayonGt is not fit instrument for collect
ing the votes of treemen. II 10 only by full
vote, free ballot, and fair count that the people
can rule In fact, as required by the theory Of
our government. Take this foundation away
and the whole structure falls. Public Office Is
a trust, not bounty bestowed on the holder
and no incompetent or dishonest persons
should ever be intruSted with IL, or If appoint
ed, they should promptly be elected.
Our material interests, varied and progress
i've, demand our constant and united efforts. A
sedulous and scrupulous care Of public credit,
together with wise and economical manage
ment OF our governmental expenditures should
be maintained, in 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 time has come to enjoy
che substantial benefits of reconciliation. As
one people we have common interests. Let us
encourage harmony and generous rivalry
among our own industries, which will revive
3ur languishing merchant marine extend our
commerce with foreign nations, assist our
merchants, manufacturers and producers to de.
Veope our vast natural resources, and in.
crease the prosperity and happiness of our Ia
Dor.
II elected, shall, with divine favor, and
with what ability possess, discharge my du-
ties with fidelity, according to my convictions,
and shall take care to protect and defend the
Union, and to sec that the laws be faithfully
and equally executed in ali parts of the coun
Try alike. | will assume the responsibility
fully sensible Of the fact that to administer
rightly the iunct Of the government is to
discharge the sacred duty that can de
volye upon an ercan citizen.
very respectfully yours,
W. s. HANCOCK
To Hon. John w Stevenson, President of the
Convention; Hon. John T. Stockton, Char
man, and others, of the Committee of the
National Democratic Convention.