Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-08-05
"GRATEFUL APPRECIATIONY'
SPREAD EAGLE SPEECH.
Nothing that Anybody Denies.
NEW YORK, July 3O.-The following
is Gen. Hancock's letter of acceptance: {:
GOVERNORS ISLAND,
Npur Vopr C1Tv Iuly On 1891 (

is Gen. Hancock's S letter of acceptance:
GOVERNORS ISLAND,
NEW YORK CITY, July so, 1880.
GENTLEMEN: l have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter of
July 18th, 1880, apprising me formally
of my nomination to the Office of Presi-
dent of the United States, by the Ma
tional Democratic Convention" lately
assembled in Cincinnati. 1 accept the
nomination with grateful appreciation
of the confidence reposed in me.
The principles enunciated by the con-
vention are those l have cherished in
the past, and shall endeavor to maintain
in the future. The thirteenth, four
teenth, 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 my duty to
resist with all my power any attempt to
| impair or invade the full force and eff
feet of the Constitution, which in every
article, section, and amendment is the
supreme law of the land. The Constitu-
| ton forms the basis of the Government
of the United States. The powers grant
ed to it by the legislative, executive, and
| judicial departments define and limit
the authority of the General Govern
ment; powers not delegated to the Uni
ted States by the Constitution, nor pro-
hibited 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
trenching upon the lawful jurisdiction
of the other, constitute the Union.
This Union, comprising General
| Government with general powers, and
State Governments with State powers
for purposes local to the States, is poll
ty the foundations of which were laid
in the profoundest wisdom. This is the
Union our fathers made, and which has
been so respected abroad and So benefi-
cient at home. Tried by blood and fire,
| it stands to-day a model form of free,
popular Government; political system
which, rightly administered, has been,
and will continue to be, the admiration
of the world. May we not say nearly in
the words of Washington: "The unity of
the Government which constitutes us
one people is justly dear to us, it is the
main pillar in the edifice of our indC-
pendence, the support of our peace,
safety, and prosperity, and of that liber-
ty we so highly prize, and intend at
every hazard to preserve?"
But no form of government however
carefully devised, no principle however
sound, will protect the rights of the
people, unless the Administration is
faithful and efficient. 1t is vital prin-
ciple in our system that neither fraud
nor force must be allowed to subvert the
rights of the people. When fraud, vio-
lence, or incompetency controls, the no.
blest constitutions and wisest laws are
useless. The bayonet is not fit instru-
ment for collecting the votes of freemen.
1t is OILY by vote, free ballot and fair
count, that the people can rule in fact.
as required by the theory of our Govern
ment. Take this foundation away and
the whole structure falls.
Public Office is trust, not a bounty
bestowed upon the holder; no incompe-
tent or dishonest persons should ever be
entrusted with it, or, if appointed, they
should promptly be elected. Our Ma
tional interests, varied and progressive,
demand our constant and united efforts.
A Sedulous and scrupulous care of the
economical management of our govern
mental expenditures, should be main
tanned 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 re-
conciliation. AS one people we have
common interests. Let US encourage
harmony and generous rivalry among
our own industries, which will revive
our languishing merchant marine, ex-
tend our commerce with foreign nations,
assist our merchants, manufacturers,
and producers to develop our vast Ma
tienal resources, and increase the pros
perity and happiness of our people.
If elected, shall. with Divine favor,
labor with what ability l possess to dis
charge 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 equally
executed in all parts of the country
alike. l will assume the responsibility,
fully sensible of the fact that to admin
lister rightly the functions of the Govern
ment is to discharge the most sacred
duty that can devolve upon an American
citizen.
AIN, very respectfully, yours,
| w. 5. HANCOCK.