River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-08-05


To the Hon. J,,o ", 'St,rensoa, President g The
ConraRion Hon. .JoLn H. Stock, Chd02tui,
and oter members ot The Committee Of A'stfr1-
ton:
IxDIANAPoLIs, Indiana. July 80. 1870
GEN7 rEMEN:-I have now the honor to
reply to your letter of the 18th INST.
informing me that | was unanimously nom-
mated for the Office Of vice president
of the United States by the late democrats na-
tional convention, which assembled at Cincinnati.
As foreshadow in the verbal remarks made by
me at the time of the delivery of your letter, !
have now TO say that | accept the high trust Sith
a realization of its responsibility, and am
profoundly grateful for the honor conferred;
| accept the nomination upon the platform Of
principles adopted by the convention, With |
cordially approve, and accept it quite as much
because of my faith in the wisdom and patriotism
of the great statesman and soldier nominated
on the same ticket for president OF the United
States. His eminent services to his country !;
his fidelity to the constitution, the union
and the laws, lis clear perception of the
correct principles of the government
taught by Jefferson his srupulous care to keep
the military in strict subordinaton to the civil
authorities his high regard for civil liberty per
sonal rights, and the rights of property, his ne
knowedged ability in civil well ms in military at-
fairs and his pure and blameless life, all poit I"
him Us a man worthy of the confidence of the PEG
pie. Not only brave soldier, Il great comrian-
uef Il wise SthtcslhdU anu y pure lhtflot, '''N "a
prudent, pains-taking practical man, of nnqics-
toned honesty, entrusted often with important
public duties faithful to every trust and IN the
full meridian of ripe and vigorous manhood he
is in my own Judgment cmneatly
fitted for the highest office ON earth
the presidency of the United States.
Not only is he the right man for the place but
the time has come when the best interests OF the
country require that the party which has moyop-
0lized the executive department of the general
government for the last twenty years should be re-
tired. The continuance of that party in power
four years longer would not Oe beneficial to the
public or in accordance with the spirit of our re
publican institutions. The laws of entail have
not been favored III our system of government.
The perpetuation of property or place III one tam
lily or set of men, has never been encouragcd IN
this country. And the great and good men whO
formed our republican government with its trldl-
tons wisely limited the tenure of office an'i IN
many ways showed their dsapproyal Of
of long leases of power. Twenty years of con
tinuOus power is long enough, and has already
led to irregularities and conceptions which are not
likely TO be properly exposed under the .tne
party that perpetrated them. Besides it shc,ild
not he forgotten that the last years Of power bed
by that party were procured by dIseredtsve
means, and held in defiance of the wishes 81
majority Of the people. 1t was u gricvous wr''ng
to every voter and to our system Of self guvc n
ment which should never be forgotten or iorrf ri.
Many # those in office We're put there because If
corrupt, partisan service IN thus def utmg
the fairly and legally expressed WIZ Of
the majority and tho hypocrisy of 'he
professions Of that party in favor Of civil "'r-
yicc reform was shown by placing such men
in office and turning the whole brood Of federal
office holders lose 10 influence the elections. he
money of the people taken out of the public
treasury by these men for services often poorly
performed not performed TT all. Is being used
in vast sum- with the Owlelge and presumed
sanction of the administration. to control the
elections and even the member of the cabinet a RI
stroIling about the country making partiyAn
speeches inste'l Of being in their departments
at Washington disclmrging the public duties or
which they are paid by the people. Bat
with all their cleverneSs and ability dscriml''a-
ting public viii doubt read between the lines of
their speeches that their paramount hope and IN
is to keep themselves or their satetes four years
longer IN office.
Perpetuatng the power Of chrome federal o1ioe
holders four years longer will not benefit the mai
lions Of men and women who hold no Office t9l
who must earn their daily bread by honest ind;l-
try. The same discriminating public will %
doubt fully understand that II Is lie
cause of their own industry and economy,
and Gods bountiful havcsts, that
the country il comparatively proslerc'i',
not because of them hut in spite 81
them This contest is in fact bctTrn
the people endeavOring to regain The
political power which rightfully bcl0ugs 1" them
and to restore the pure, simple, economical, cG-
stitutiOnal government Of our fathers ON the oHe
side aud 100 900 federal office holders AMI
their hackers. pampered with place and power
and determined to retain them at all hazards on
the other Hence the constant assumption Of new
and dangerous powers hy the general government
under the rule Of the republican party ard
the effort to build up whit they
call strong government. The interference with
home rule and the administration Of justice IN l'o
courts Of the several States the interference WITH
the elections through the medium Of paid para
san federal Office holders. interested in keeping
their party IN power, and caring more for that
than fairness in elections in fact the constant en-
croachments which have been made by that parts
upon the clearly reserved rights Of the people ait
the states will if not checked subyert the liter
ties Of the people and the g0versme I Of Hinitfd
powers created by The fathers and end IN grsal
coneent rated government, strong indeed for ey4i
and the overthrow Of republican iBstitutiOrs- The
wise men who formed our constitution. knew tle'
evil Of a strong government and the long contmu'
ance of political power m the same hands. Thee
knew there was tendency IN thus direction IN ~
governments, and consequent danger to repuh
can institutions from that cause and took pans
To guard against Il. The machinery Of IA strons
centralized government can he used to perpetuata
the Same set Of men in power from term to term
until il ceases to be republic, or such only lk
name and the tendency Of the party now in power
in that direction shown in yariona
ways besides the Willingness recently
manifested by large number Of that party o.
elect president to an unlimited number Il term,
Il quite apparent, and snnst satin X thinking peo
pile that the time has cnIne when Is vii be safeFg
and best for that party to be retired Bat in re
sisting the eneroaehinents 0f the general govern
inent upon the reserved rights " the people and
states ] wish to be distinctly tutdcrstoOl az ia.
voring the proper exercise by tn general govern
ment Of the powers rightfllly belonging 70 it as-
der the constitution. Encroachments upon
the constitutional rights Of the general
government or interference with the
proper exercise of it. power must be carefully
avoided. The union Of the states under the con- /
stituti0n must be maintained and i i well known
that this has always been the position Of both the
candidates on the democratic presidential ticket |
II is aeqnieseed in everywhere naw and finally i
and forever settled a. one Of the results Of the
war 1t If certainly beyond all question that the
legitimate results Of the war for the union VIII
not be overthrown or impaired should the demo /
cratic ticket be elected In that event proper i
viii be given in every legitimate way
10 every citizen, natives adopted, in every sec
ton of the republic in the enjoyment