Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-08-05


your letter of July I3, 1850, apprising
me formally Of my nomination TO the
Office Of President OF the United States
by the National Democratic Convention
lately assembled in Cincinnati. ! accept
the nomination with grateful apprecia-
tion of the confidence reposed in me.
The principles enunciated by the con.
vention are those | have cherished in
the past and shall endeavor 10 main.
tain IN the future. The amendments to
the constitution of the United States
embodying the results Of the war for the
Union are inviolable. If called to the
Presidency should deem it my duty
to resist with all my power any attempt
10 impair or evade the full force and ef
feet 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 legisla.
tive. executive and judicial depart.
ments, define and limit the authority
OF the general government. Powers
not delegated to the United States by
the constitution nor prohibited by 1t TO
the States belong TO the States respect
lively, or 10 the people. The general
and State governments each acting in
its own sphere without trenching upon
the lawful Jurisdiction of the other,
constitute the union. This union com.
prising general government with
general powers and State governments
with State powers for puposes local TO the
States, is polity the foundations of
which were laid in the profoundest
wisdom. This Is the union our fathers
made, and which has been so respected
abroad. and so beneficial at home.
Tried by blood and fire il stands today
a model form Of free popular govern
ment, a political system which rightly
administered has been and will contin.
ue to be the admiration of the world.
May we not saw in the language of
Washington "The unity of govern.
ment which constitutes us one people
is justly dear TO US. Ii is the main pill.
lar in the editice of real independence.
the support Of our peace, safety and
prosperity, and of that liberty we so
highly prize and intend at every hazard
to preserve" No form of government
however carefully devised, no principles
however sound, will protect the rights
OF the people unless the administration
IL faithful and efficient. Ii is a vital
principle in our system that neither
fraud nor force must be allowed to sub.
vert the rights Of the people. When
fraud violence or incompetence controls,
the noblest constitution and wisest laws
are useless. The bayouet is not a fit
tUa 60 r.
freemen. il is only by full vote, free
ballot and fair count that the people
can rule in fact. Take this foundation
away and the whole structure falls.
Public Office is a trust, not bounty he.
slowed upon the holder. No incompe.
tent OF dishonest persons should ever
be entrusted with it or if appointed
they should be promptly elected The
basis Of substantial practical civil ser.
vice reform must first be established by
by the people in filing the elective Of
fees. II they fix high standard of
qualification for Office and sternly re.
Ject the corrupt and incompetent the
result will be decisive in governing the
action of the servants whom they en-
trust with appointing powers.
The war for the union was successful
" 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
public affairs. We are in state of pro.
found peace hence forth let IL be our
purpose TO cultivate sentiments Of
friendship and not of animosity among
our fellow citizens. Our material inter.
ests varied and progressive, demand our
constant and united efforts. sedulous
and scrupulous care OF the public credit
together with wise and economical
management of our governmental ex
penditures should be maintained in or
der that labor may be lightly burdened
and that all persons inay be protected
in their right to the fruits of their own
industry. The time has come TO enjoy
the substantial benefits of reconciliation.
As one people we have common inter.
ests. Let us encourage the harmony
and generous rivalry among our own in.
dustries, which will revive our languish.
ing merchant marine. extend our com.
merce with foreign nations. assist our
merchants. manufacturers aud produ-
GERS. TO develop our vast resources and
increase the prosperity and happiness
of our people. lf elected | shall, with
the Divine favor, labor with what ability
] possess to discharge my duties with
fidelity according TO my convictions and
shall take care 10 protect and defend
the Union and 10 see that the laws be
faithfully and equally executed In all
parts Of the country alike. I will a..
sumo the responsibility fully sensible Of
the fact that to administer rightly the
functions Of government il to discharge
the most sacred duty that can deyolve
upon an American citizen.
! am, very respectfully.
WINFIELD $. HANcoCg.
To the Hon. John ". Stevenson,
president of the convention, and Others