The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-08-07
GEN. HANCOCK's LETTER OF
ACCEPTANCE.
GovERNoR's ISLAND,
NEW YORK City, july %

; New YORK CITY, July % !
dENTLEMEN-l have the honor to acknowl
edge the receipt Of your letter Of July 13, 1880,
apprlzing me formally of my nomination ia
the office of President of the United States, BY
the National Democratic Convention, lately
assembled IN Cincinnati. | accept the nomi-
nation with grateful appreciation of the conf
uenee Teposed in me. The principles enun-
clated by the Convention are those | have
cherished IN the past, and shall endeavor to
maintain in the future. The Thirteenth,
! Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the
| constitution of the United States embodyna
the result OF the war for the Union, are irrcv0-
cable. If called to the Presidency | should
deem 1t my duty to resist with all of my power
any attempt to impair or evade 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
OASIS OF the Government of the United States.
Inc powers granted by it to the Legislative
Executive and Judicial departments define and
limit the authority of the General Govern
ment. Powers not delegated to the United
States by the Constitution nor prohibited
by it to the States belong to the States
respectively or to the people, the general
ana state Governments, each acting in its
own sphere without trcnching on the law
full jurisdiction of the other. This Union
comprising the General Government, with
general powers and State Governments, with
state powers for purposes local 10 the States,
IS n political foundation which was laid in he
profoundest wisdom. This is the Union our
fathers made, and which has been so respected
abroad, and so benefcent at home. Tried by
blood and fire, it stands to- day n model form
OF Tree popu ar government, political system
which, rightly administered has been and will
continue to be the admiration of the world
May we not say, in the words of Washington,
Unity of government which constitutes us
one people is justly dear to u.s." 1t is the |
main pillar in the edifice of our real indepen-
ncnce, 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, however, careful |
ly devised, no principles, however sound, will |
protect the rights of the people unless the Adj
ministratiOn is faithful and efficient IT. is
vital prlnciplein our system that neither fraud
nor force must be allowed to subvert the rights
of the people. When fraud violence or incom-
petence controls, the nohlest constitutions and
wiscst tws are useless. The bayonet is not a
fit instrument for controlling the votes of free
men. 1t is only by full VOTE free ballot and
a fair count that the people rule in fact
as required by the theory of our Government
Take this foundation away and the whole
structure falls.
Public office is n trust, not n bounty, bestow-
ed upon the holder. No incompetent or dis
honest person should ever be intrusted with
it, or if appointed, they should be promptly
elected.
The basis of substantial, practical civil ser
wee reform must first be established by the
people in filling elective Offices. If they fix
ligh standard of qualifications for office, and
'tornly reject corrupt and incompetent the re-
suit Will be decisive in governing the action Of
servants whom they entrust with appointing
)Ower.
The war for the Union was successfully
classes Of our peopIe'must suarc 'snho trft
blessings of the Union, and are equally CON
,erned in its perpetuity and in the proper
Of public affairs. We are III n
tate Of profound peace. Henccforth let it he
,ur purpose TO cultivate sentiments of friend
hip and no animOsity against our felOw-clt-
zens Our material interest, varied and
progressive, demand our constant united
,fTorts. A sedulOus and scrupulous care OF
public credit, together with wise and ecOnOm-
cal management Of our governmental expen- )
litures, should be maintained in order that
abor may be lightly burdened, and al persons
nay be protected in their rights to the fruits
If their industry. The time has come TO en- :
oy the substantial benefits of reconciliation.
IS one people we have common interest
4et us encourage the harmony and generous
valry among our own industries, which will =
evive our languishing merchant marine, ex-
end our commerce with foreign countries, as
list our merchants, manufacturers and pro- +
lucers to develop our vast natural resources ,
md increase the prosperity of our people.
If elected | shall, with Divine favor labor
With what ability possess, to discharge my
uties with fidelity according TO my convic-
ions, and shall take care to protect and de-
end the Union, and to see that the laws be ;
aithlully and equally executed in all parts of
he country alike. | will assume the respon-
iblity, fully sensible of the fact that to adj
Minister rightly the functions of the Govern {
nent is to discharge the most sacred duty that !
an devolve upon an American citizen.
| am, very respectfully,
WINFIELD s. HANCOCK
o Hon John W. Stevenson, President of the
Convention Hon John P. Stockton, Chair
man, and others of the Committee Of the [
National Democratic Convention. ,