The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-31
PATRIOTIC UTTERAnCES.
Letters of Acceptance of Gen.
w. S. Hancock and Hon.
VIM. H. English.
Democratic Candidates for President
and Vice President Of the
United States.
General Haneock's Letter a model O
Brevity, Decision and Clearness.
Hon. w. II. English.s g terrible Arraign-
ment OF the Republican party.
NEW YORK, July 3O.-Followine is


New YORK, July 3O.-Following is
| Gen. Hancock's letter:
GOVERNORS ISLAND,
New York CITY. July 29. 1880.
Gentlemen: I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter of
July l3. 1880. sapprising me formally of
my nomination to the Office of President of
the United States by the National Demo
cratic Convention. lately assembled ip
| Cincinnati. L accept the nomination with
grateful appreciation of the confidence re-
posed IN me. The principles enunciated
by the convention are those i have cher.
lshed in the past and shall endeayor to
maintain Jim the future. The Thirteenth
Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to
the constitution of the United States en-
bodyIng the results of the war for the
Union are 'inviolable. IF called to the
Presidency | should deem it nv duty to
| resist with all 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 basis of the government of the United
States. The powers granted BY it to the
| legislative. 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 it to the states belong To
the states respectively or to the people.
The general and state governments. each
acting In its own sphere, without trench
ing upon the lawful jurisdiction of the
other, constitute the Union. This Union.
comprising a general fgovernment, with
general spowers. and state governments
with stat. state powers for purposes local
TO state. Is policy the foun~
dations Of which were laid in the
profoundest wisdom. This is the
Union our fathers made and which has
been SO respected abroad and SO bene6cient
at homo. Tried by blood and fire it stands
to-day model form of free popular gov
eminent. political system which, rightly
administered. has been and will continue
| to be the admiration of the world. Nav
we not say nearly in the words of Wash-
ington: THE unity of government which
constitutes one people. is Justly dear to us
1t is the main pillar in the ediGce of our
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" But no form
OF government, however carefully devised;
no principles, however sound. will protect
the rights of the people unless the admin
istration is faithful and efficient. 1t is
vital principle In our system that neither
fraud nor force must be allowed to subvert
the rights of the people. When fraud.
violence and incompetency controls, the
noblest constitution aud wisest laws are
useless. The bayonet is not fit instru-
ment for collecting the votes for freemen
L is only by full vote, free ballot and
fair count that the people can rule 10 fact.
as required by the theory of our govern.
ment Take this foundation away and the
trust. not bounty, bestowed upon the
holder. No incompetent or dishonest per-
sons should ever be entrusted with it,
or if appointed they should promp-
tiy be elected. Our material in
teIests. 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 govern
mental expenditures, should be maintain
| ed, in order that labot may be lightly
burdened and that all persons may be pro-
tected in their rights and fruits of their
own industry. The time has come to
enjoy the substantial benefits of reconciIia.
ton as one people, We have comm on
interests. Let US encourage harmony and
generous rivalry among our own indus
tries. which will revive our languishing
merchant marine, extend our commerce
with foreign nations, assist our merchants
manufacturers and producers to develop
our vast natural resources and increase
the prosperity and happiness of our peo-
pie. If elected, | shall. with divine favor,
labor with what ability L possess. TO dis
charge my duties with fidelity, according
tosmy convictions, and shall take care to
protect and defend the union and to see
that the laws be faithfully and equally
Executed in all parts of the country alike.
[ will assume the responsibility, fully
sensible of the fact that to administer
rightly the functions of the governments
to discharge the most sacred duty that can
dcvolve upon an American citizen. / am,
very respectfully. yours.
w. s. HANCOCK.
To the Hon. Jno. w. Stevenson. Presi
| dent of the convention; the Hon. Jno.
| Z. Stockton, Chairman, and others of
the committee of the National Demo-
| cratic Convention.
| INDIANAPOLIS, July 30.-Foilowing is
| Mr.. English's letter:
To the Hon. j. w. Stevenson, President
| of the convention. Hon. Jno. H Stock
ton, Chairman, and other mem bers of
the committee of notification:
| GENTLEMEN: have now the honor to
reply to your letter of the 18th inst. in
forming me that l was unanimously
nominated for the Office of Vice President
of the United States by the late Democra.
| tic National Convention which assembled
at Cincinnati. As foreehadowed 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 with .
realizing sense of its responsibility, and am
profoundly grateful for the honor CON-
| ferred. | accept the nomination upon the
platform of principles adopted by the cen
vention, which | cordially approve and L
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 the President of the
United States, His eminent services to
this country. his fidelity to the constitu-
ton. the Union and the laws. his clear
| perception of the correct principles OF
| government as taught by Jefferson, bis
serupulous care to lser the military 10
strict subordination to ,.e ciyii authori-
ties, his high regard for civil liberty, per-
sonal rights and the rights of property. his
] acknowledged ability in civil as weil as