The Ouachita telegraph., 1880-08-06
GEN. HANCOCK'S LETTER OF ACCEPT
ANCE.

1CAA&5A Va SANNVk'SesuSs
To Hon. John w. Stevenson, President
of the Convention; Hon. John l..
Stockton, Chairman, and others of
the Committee of the National Dem
ocratic Convention.
~ GovERNoR's ISLAND,
New York City, July 20, 1850.
GEN,rLFsNfIsN-I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter of
July 13, 1880, apprising me formally
of my nomination to the Office of Prcsi-
dent of the United States by the
National Democratic Convention lately
assembled in Cincinnati. I accept the
nomination with q grateful apprecia-
ton of the confidence reposed in me.
The principles enunciated by the con-
ventiOn are those l have cherished
in the past and shall endcavor to main
tain in the future. The thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments
to the constitution of the United States,
embodying the result of the war for
the Union, are inviolable. If called to
the Presidency, l should deem it my
duty to resist, with all of my power,
any attempt to impair or cvade 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 legisa
tive, executive andjudicial depart
ments define and limit the author
ity of the general government. The
powers not delegated to tho United
States by the constitution nor prohib-
tied by it to the States, belong to the
States, respectively, or to the people.
The general and State governments,
In itS cnhnrn with
out trenching on the lawful jurisdic-
tion of the other, constitute the Union.
This Union, comprising the general
government, with general power, and
State governments, with State powers,
for purposes local to States, is Il polity,
tho foundations of which ere'laid in
the profoundest wisdom. This is the
Union our fathers made, and which
has been so respected abroad and SO
beneticent at home. Tried by blood
and fire, it stands to-day a model form
of free, popular government /; a polit-
ical system which, rightly admins
tered, has been and will continue to be
the admiration of the world. May we
not say, nearly in the words of Wash
ington, that the unity of government
which constitutes us ono people is justly
dear to US? 1t is the main pillar in
Illo CNlhSc VI Jul AS0I lhuSpCIluChSS,
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 principle, how
ever sound, will protect the rights of
the people unless the administration
is faithful and efficient. 1t is Il vital
principle in our system that Mother
fraud nor force must be allowed to
subvert tho rights of the people. When
fraud, violence or inconpetcncy con
trolls, tho noblest constitution and
wisest laws arc useless. The bayonct
Is not u fit instrument for collecting the
votes of frcemen. 1t is only by = full
vote, free ballot and fair count that the
people can rule in fact, as required by
the theory of our government. Take
this foundation away and the whole
structure falls.
Public Office is II trust-not :, bounty
bestowed upon the holder. No incom-
petent or dishonest person should ever
be entrusted with it, or appointed
they should be promptly elected. The
basis of substantial practical civil scr
vice reform must first be established
by the people in filling the elective
offices. II they fix Il high standard Of
qualifications tor Office and sternly re-
ject the corrupt and incompetent, tho
result will be decisive in governing the
action of servants whom they cntrust
with appointing power.
The war for the Union was Success
fully closed more than fifteen years
ago. All classes of our people must
share In the blessings of the Union,
and are equally concerned in it's per-
petatty and in the proper administra-
tton of public affairs. Wcarc in a state
OF profound peace. Henccforth let il
be our purpose to cultivate sentiments
OF friendship and no animosity against
our iellow-citizens. Our material in
terests, varied and progressive, demand
our constant and united efforts. A
seduious and scrupulous care of public
credit, together with wise and econom-
ical management of our government
expenditures, should be maintained
IN order that labor may be lightly
burdened, and that all persons may be
protected In their rights to the fruits
OF their own industry. The time has
come to enjoy the substantial benefit,
of reconciliation. AS one people w,
have common interests. let us on
courage harmony and generous riyalr,
S,,.l