The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-08-05

AIONEhNOh . obhANDs [.
NEW York, July 20, 1850.
GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to acknowl-
edge the ~receipt.of your letter Of Jnly Is, 1880,
apprising me, formally, of my nomination to
the Office of President of the United States by
the National Democratic Convention, lately as
sembled in Cincinnati. I accept the nominal
ton, with a grateful appreciation of the conf
dence repesed in me. The principles enumer.
ated by the Convention are those I have cher
ished in the past, and shall endeayor to MAIN
tain in the future. e
The 18th, 14th, and 18th amendments to the
Constitution of the United States, embodying the
results of the war for the Union, are inviola-
bic. If called to the Presidency I should deem
it my duty to resist with all Of my power any at
tempt to impair or evade the full force and
effect Of the Constitution, which, in every ar
ticle, 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 legislative, ex-
~ecutive, and judicial departments define and
limit the authority of the General Government;
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 and State Govern
ments, each acting in its W sphere, without
trenching upon the lawful jurisdiction of the
other. constitute the Union. 10 3
This, Union, comprising q general govern,
ment with general powers, and the State gov
ernments with State powers for the purposes
local to the States, is q poiity 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 benefcent
at home. Tried by blood and fire, 1t stands to-
day 0 model form Of free popular government,
o political system which, rightly administered,
has been and will continue to be the admira-
ton of the world. May we not say, nearly in
the words of Washington, the unity Of govern
ment, which constitutes us one people, is justly
dear to us. It is the main pillar in the edifice
of our real Independence, the support of our
peace, safety, prosperity, and of that liberty We
so highly prize, and intend at every hazard to
preserve. i4s lisa gi, jEr rEJCts49
fully devised, no principles. however sound,
viii protect the rights OF the people unless the
administration is faithful and efficient. It is o
vital principle in our system that neither fraud
nor force must be allowed to subvert the rights
of the people. When fraud, violence, or in
competence controls, the noblest constitutions
and wisestr laws are useless. HI bayonet is
not a fit instrument for collecting the votes Of
freemen. 1t is only by a full vote, afree ballot,
and fair count that the people can rule IN fact,
as required by the theory of our government.
Take this foundation way and the whole struc-
ttre falls. 20
Public office is q trust-not q bounty-be-
slowed upon the holder, and no incompetent or
dishonest person should ever be intrusted with
it; or II appointed they should be promptly
elected. The basis of q substantial practical
/ civil service reform must first be established by
u IL
fix. a high standard of qualifications for Office,
and sternly reject the corrupt and incompetent,
the result will be decisive in governing the ac-
ton of the servants whom they intrust with
the appointing power. g4. iH1 uod3eHan
The war for the Union was successfully
closed more than fifteen years ago. All classes
of our people should share alike in the bless
ings of the Union and arer equally concerned
in its perpetuity, and in the proper administra7
ton Of public affairs. We are in a state Of pro-
found peace. Henceforth let it be our purpose
to cultivate sentiments of friendship, and not
| of animosity, among our fellow citizens. Our
/ material interests, varied and progressive, de-
mand our constant and united efforts.
A sedulous and scrupulous care OF the public
credit, together with o wise and economical
management of our governmental expenditures,
should be maintained, ,iniorder that; labor may
be lightly burdened and that all persons may
be protected in their rights to the fruits of their
~ownindustry. &C.,
line Time mas come 10 enjoy GQe BuDSCanGal
benefits Of reconciliation as one people. We
have common interests. Let us encourage the
h~armony-and generous rivalry among our OWE
industries which will revive our languishine
merchant marine, extend our witt
foreign nations, assist our merchants, manu-.
features, and producers to develop our vast
natural resources, and increase the prosperity
and happiness of our people. 10 Haf4GSlt@[
If elected I shall. with the Divine favor. labor
with what ability I possess to discharge my
L. II II I'll
tons, and shall take care toprotect and defend
the Union and to see that the laws be faithfully
and equally executed inian parts'of the country
alike. 1 will assume the responsibility, fnlly
sensible of the fact that to. administer rightly
the functions of the governments to discharge
American citizen.
I am very respectfully yours - bohhs
49, -s"ilf WINFIELD g. HANCOCK.
To the Hon. John W. Stevenson, President Of
the Convention; Hon. John T. Stockton
Chairman, and others Of the Committee Of
the National Democratic Convention.
INDIANAPOLIS, July 80 Hon. VIM b. Eng
lish transmitted the following letter of accept
ance of the nomination of candidate for Vic
President to the Committee Of Notification to
INp1ANApo1Is, IND, July 80, 1880.
To Hon. John ". Stevenson, President OF IN
gConteation; Hon. John II. Stockton, Chdsr
man, and other members of 0e Committee Q
q Notification: TrTsoE ezfoc
GENTLEMEN have now the honor to repl.
to your letter of the 18th inst, informing m
that I was unanimously nominated for tn
Office Of Vice President of the United States b
the late Democratic National Convention, whicl
assembled at Cincinnati. {
As foreshadowed in the verbal remarks mad
by me at the time of the delivery of your letter
I have now to say that 1accept the high trut
with a realizing sense Of its responsibility an
am profoundly grateful for the honor conferred
I accept the nomination upon the platform G
principles adopted by the convention, which
accordingly approve, and I accept it quite
much because of my faith in the wisdom an
patriotism Of the great statesman and soldie
nominated on the same ticket for President {
the United States. His eminent services to b
country; his fidelity to the constitution, th
Union and the laws; his clear perception of ii
correct principles of government as taught b
Jefferson; his scrupulous care to keep Il
military in strict subordination to the civil al
thorities; his high regard for civil liberty, De
onalrights, and the rights Of property; his a
knowledged ability in civil as well as milital
affairs, and his pure and blameless life, a
point to him as Q man worthy of the confdenC
Of the people. Not only a brave soldier, a gre,
commander, a wise statesman, and q pul
patriot, but a prudent, painstaking, practic,
man of unquestioned honesty, trusted ofte
with important public duties, faithful to ever
trust, and in the full meridian Of ripe an
vigorous manhood, he is, in Judgment, eminen
" fitted for the highest Office on earth, Ii
Presidency of the United States.
Not only is he the right man for the plac
but the time has come when the best interes-
of the country require that the party whic
has ~monopolized the executive department
the general government for the last TWEEN
years should be retired. The continuance
that party in power four years longer won
not be beneficial to the public or in accordant
with the spirit of our republican institntion
Laws of entail have not been favored In on
system Of governments. the narnnt,,n tion