The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-08-06
ccllanruus.
Gen. Hancock's Letter of Acceptance.


"G01rnor's lslaad, Neo liorb City July 20,
1SS0.-Gentlemen have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter of July
IL, 1880, apprising me formally of my nomi-
nation to the office of President of the United
States by the National Democratic Conven-
tion,' lately assembled in Cincinnati | ac-
cept the nomination with grateful apprcca-
ton of the confidence reposed in me. The
those | have cherished in the past and shall
cndcavor TO maintain in the future
"Thc thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
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 re-
slst with all OF my power any attempt to i'm
pair or cvadc 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 pow
crs granted by it to the Legislative, executive
and judicial departments define and limit the
authority of the general government. Pow
crs 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 gov
ernmcnts, each acting in its own sphere, with
out touching upon the lawful jurisdiction of
the other, constitute the Union. This Union
comprising a general government with gen.
eral powers, and State governments with
State powers for purposes local to the States,
is pOlity the foundations of which were laid
in the profoundcst wisdom. This is the I'M
ion our fathers made, and which has been so
respected abroad and so beneticcnt at home
Tried by blood and fire, it stands to-day
model form of free popular government;
political system which, rightly administered
has been and will continue to be the admra-
ton of the world. May we not say, nearly
in the words of Washington THE unity of
government which constitutes us one people
is justly dear to us; it is the main pillar in
the cdificc of our real independence, the sup
port 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 administration is faithful and eff
cicnt. 1t is vital principle in our system
that neither fraud nor force must be allowed
to subvcrt the rights of the people When
fraud, violence or incompetence controls, the
noblest constitutions and wisest laws are use
less. The bayonet is not fit instrument for
collecting the votes of freemen. It's only by
afull vote, free ballot and fair count that the
people can rule in fact, as required by the
theory of our government. Take this foun-
daton away and the whole structure falls.
"Public office is trust, not bounty be-
slowed upon the holder. No incompetent or
dishonest persons should ever be entrusted
with it or, if appointed, they should be
promptly rejected. The basis of substantial,
practical civil service reform must first be es-
tablishcd by the people in filling the elective
offices If they fix high standard of quail
ticatons for Office, and sternly reject the cor
rupt and incompetent, the result will be deci-
sive in governing the action of the servants
whom they cntrust with the appointing
power.
"'Thc war for the Union was successfully
closed more than hundred year ago. All
classes of our people must share alike in the
blessings of the Union, and are equally CON
ccrncd in its perpetuity and in the proper adj
ministratiOn of public affairs. We are in a
| state of profound peace. Hcnceforth let it
| be our purpose to cultivate sentiments of
friendship, and not of luminosity, among our
fellow-citizens. Our material interests, vari-
| cd and progressive, demand our constant and
united efforts.
"a sedulous and scrupulous care of the
public credit, together with wise and econ
| omical management of our governmental ex-
penditurcs 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 benefits OF
| reconciliation. AS one people we have COM
| mon interests. Let us encourage the harmo-
| ny and generous rivalry among our own in
dustrcs which will revive our languishing
| merchant marine, extend our commerce with
| foreign nations, assist our merchants, manu-
facturers and producers to develop our vast
| natural resources, and increase the prosperi-
ty 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 con
| victions, and shall take care to protect and
| defend the Union and to see that the laws be
equally and faithfully executed in all parts of
the country alike, will assume the respon-
sibility fully sensible of the fact that to adj
minister rightly the functions of government
| is to discharge the most sacred duty that can
| dcvolvc upon an American citizen | am,
very respectfully, yours, -.--.'...
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK.
| "To the Hon. Jno. W. Stevenson, President
of the convention, Hon. Jonn p. Stockton,
Chairman, and others, Committee of the
National Convention" .. ........r..
|
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