National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-08-02

HANCOCK's LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
1t has come, aud rs we review its varied
paragraphs, which, like JosEpH's coat,
bear several different hues, we are con-
strained to say that if II had emanated
from the candidate of any other party than
the one it represents it would be regarded
rs n well-said and well-meant declaration
of principle and purpose. But coming us it
does from the representative of party
whose history for a quarter of II century
casts doubt upon its sincerity, we are led
TO exclaim with HAzLGTT, Hypocrisy is Il
mask to deceive the world, not to impose
"on ourselves and in this very light this
letter stands before tho country. II is de-
ception, dclusion, an arront fraud, so cun-
ningly devised aud decorated with the tim
sci of deceit that it may entrap the un-
wary, but never the careful student of the
political history Of the country for the last
two decades.
The second paragraph of this document
wears the ear-maris of the vengeful TIL
DEN, who having been rebuked by the
so nth for his cowardce in 1876, takes this
occasion to haunt the thirteenth, fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments in its face by
way of revenge. The utterances of this
paragraph ere creditablo, and would bear
some weight if the country did not under
stand that the words are mere wind, signi-
| flying nothing beyond their mechanical ut
| Nm, tic inn Ia bot vn nth
of this letter seems to have changed position
since 1868. If General HANCOCK stood now
where he did during the WARMTH his face
to the rebellion, which he aided in con-
quering, and with whose embers he Is now
at dalliance-this letter would be con-
sistent, manly, common-sense document
that would mean something; but inasmuch
as he now represents the rebel clement oil
the nation, it is n mere trap aud delusion
General HANCOCK assumes that the wal
for the union closed more than fifteen years
ago, and that "all our people must share
"alike in the blessings of the union," but
history tells us that they do not, and the
conviction is very strong in view of this
record that they will not so long as hi:
party has the power TO prevent it. lie
knows that the south has not respected the
thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments TO the constitution and the laws o
reconstruction that give vitality to them
and does not now respect them in its polit
ical relations to the union. He knows tha
the rights of citizenship, the right of opin-
| a r,an 49, Ia,
right of suffrage in the south are all tram
pied under foot, and by the very party
whose banner ho bears aloft in this contest
He may think that if elected president hi!
administration will prove efficient in pro
tecting these rights Of the people, but in the
light of history he cannot convince the
country that he can ever accomplish tha
end, representing rs he docs the party whicl
is deadly hostile to them. His declaration
of principles in the main is unObjectionable
but his political relations ut once impeacl
the sincerity or efficiency orhis Nvowals anC
lead to distrust. 1t is not General HAN,
COCK that tho friends of the union, the con
stitution and equal rights are contendinj
with in this controversy, but it is with III
,, democratic party and its legion of sup
porters who have once proved rebels agains
the national authority aud who will shap
his policy and control his administration
should he be elected. The people have les
dread of him and his declaration of princi
; pies than they have of "the power behin
the throne that is stronger than the thron
IitaolcU