St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-08-07
The Presidency.
GEN. HANCOCk's LETTER OF ACCEPT
ANCE.
The following is Gen. Hancock's let,
ter of acceptance

ter OF acceptance:
GOVERNORS ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY, !
July %, 1880.
GeaHemen.-I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your letter of July 10, 1880, apprisine
me of my nomination to the office OF President
of the United States by the National Democratic
Convention lately assembled i'll Cincinnati.
accept the nomination with grateful apprecia-
ton Of the confidence repOsed in me.
The principles enunciated by the convention
are those have cherished in the past and shall
endeavor to maintain i'll the future. The thir-
teenth, fourteenth aud fifteenth amendments to
the constitution of the United States, embody-
ing the result of the war Of the Union, are invi-
olable If called to the Presidency. I should
deem it my duty to resist with ali my power
amy attempt to impair or evade the full force
of the constitution, which i'll every article,
section and amendment is the supreme law OF
the land.
The constitution forms the basis Of the Gov
eminent of the United States. The powers
granted by it to the Legislative, executive and
judicial departments, define and limit the a1l-
thOrity of the General Government. The pow
ers not delegated to the United States by the
constitution, nor prohibited by it to the Safes.
belong to the States respectively, to the
people. The General Government with gencr-
al powers, and State Governments with State
powers, for purposes local to States, is policy
the foundations of which We're laid in the pro
foundest wisdom. Thss the union our fathers
made and which has been SO respected abroad
so benefcent at home. Tried by blood and fire,
1T stands to-day q model form OF free popular
government; political system which, rightly
administered, has been, and viii continue to be
the admiration of the world. May we not say,
nearly in the words of Washington, that the
unity of government which constitutes us one
people is Justly dear to us I It's the main pillar
Ill the edlfice 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 govern
ment, however carefully devised; no PRINCIPLES
however sound, will protect the rights Of the
people unless the administration is faithful and
efficient. 1t is a vital principle in our system
that neither fraud nor force must be allowed to
subyert the rights Of the people. When fraud,
violence or Incompetence controls, the nObleSt
constitutions and wiSest laws are useless. The
bayonet is not a tit instrument for collecting
the votes OF free men. 1t is only by full vote,
free ballot and fair count that thu people can
rule III fact, as required by the theory of our
Government. Take this foundation away and
the whole structure falls. Public office is a
NO incompetent or dishonest person should
ever he intrusted with it, or, if appointed, they
should be promptly elected
The basis of substantial practical civil service
reform must first be established by the people
in filling elective Offices Ii they fix a high
standard OF qualifications for office and stcrnly
reject the corrupt and incompetent, the result
will be decisive i'll governing the action of the
servants whom they intrust with the appoint
Ing power.
closed more than fifteen years ago. All classes
OF our people must share alike in the blessings
of the Union, and are equally concerned in its
perIetulty anu III The proper administration OF
public affairs. We are i'll a state OF profound
peace. HencefOrth let it be our purpose to
cultivate sentiments of friendship and no ami
mostly against our fellow-citizens. Our mutual
interests, varied and progressive, demand our
constant and united efforts.
A sedulous aud scrupulOus care of public |
credit, together with wise ana economical man
agement OF our Government expenditures
should be maintained in order that labor NAV |
be lightly hurdened and that all persons may |
be protected in their rights to the fruitsof their
own industry. The time has come to enjoy the |
substantial benefits of reconciliation. AS one |
people we have common interests: let us ell |
courage the harmony and generous rivalry /
among our own industries, which will revive |
our langlliShing merchant marine, extend our |
commerce with foreign countries, assist our
merchants, manufacturers and producers to |
develop orr vast natural resources, and increase
the prosperity and happiness of our people. If |
elected, shall, with divine favor, labor with |
what ability possess to discharge my duties
with fidelity according to my convictions, and
Shall take care to protect and defend the Union
and to see that the laws be faithfully and euual-
ly executed in all parts OF the country alike I
will assume the responsibility. fully sensible of
the fact that to administer rightly the functions
of the Government is to discharge the most sa-
cred duty that can devolye upon an American
citizen. am respectfully,
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK
To Hon. Jno w. Stevenson, President of the
Convention, Hon. Jno Z. Stockton, Chair
man, and others, of the Committee of the
National Democratic Convention.