Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-08-06
The Letters of Acceptance.
THE DIVIDING LINES CLEARLY
DEFINED.
Gen. Hal cock's Letter.

DEFINED.
Gen. Hmncock's Letter.
New Yonk. July 3O.-The follow.
ing is Gen. Haucock's Of acceptance
GovERNoR's ISLAND, N. Y. CITY,
July 20, 1880.
GExTLEMEN:--I have the honor to
acknowledge receipt of your letter
of July 10, 1880, npprising me for
mally of my nomination to the Office
President of the United States, by the
National Democratic Convention,
lately assembled in Cincinnati. lac
cept the nomination with grateful APP
probation of the confidence reposed
in me. The principles enumerated
by the Convention are those have
cherished in the past and shall en-
deavor to maintain in the future.
The 18th, 14th and 18th amend
ments to the constitution of the
United States, embodying the result
of the war for the Union, ale invio.
liable. If called to the Presidency,
l should deem it my 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 amend
ment, is the supreme law Of the
land. The Constitution forms the
lasiS of tho Government Of the Unit
cd States. The powers granted by
it to the Legislative, executive and
judicial departments, define and
limit the authority of the General
Government, powers not delegated to
us 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, with
out trenchinS upon the lawful juris-
diction of the other, constitutes the
Union-this comprising general
government with general powers and
that of governments with State pow
ers for purposes local to States, is @
polity, the foundations of which were
laid in profoundest wisdom. This
is the Union our fathers made and
which has been SO respected abroad
and so beneficial at home. Tried by
blood and fire, it stands to-day q
model form of free and popular gov.
eminent; apolitical 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 union of government which
constitutes one people is justly dear
to us; it is tho main pillar in the
edifice of our real independence"
the support of our peace, safety and
prosperity and of that liberty we SO
highly prize and intend ut every
hazard to preserve; but no form of
government however carefully de-
vised, no principles, however sound,
will protect the right, of the people
unless the administration is faithful
and efficient.
1t is vital principle in our system
that neither fraud nor force must he
allowed to subvert the rights of the
people. When fraud, violence or
Incompetence controls, the noblest
constitutions and wisest laws ars
useless. The bayonet is not fit
instrument for collecting the votes of
freemen. 1t is only by full vote,
free ballot and fair count that people
can rule. In fact, it is required by
the theory of our government. Take
this foundation away and the whole
structure falls.
Public Office is trust, rot boun-
ty, bestowed upon the holder. No
incompetent or dishonest persons
should ever be entrusted with it or
appointed. They should promptly
be elected.
Our national interests, varied and
progressive, demand our constant
and united efforts. A sedulous and
scrupulous care OF public credit, to-
gether with wise and economical
management of our governmental
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
practical benefits of the reconciliation
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, extend
our commerce with foreign nations,
assist our merchants, manufacturers
and producers to develop our vast
national resources and increase the
prosperity and happiness of our peo-
pie.
If elected, shall, with divine ia
vor, labor with what ability l possess
to discharge my duties with fidelity
according to my convictions, and
shall take care to protect and de-
fend the Union and to see that the
laws be faithfully and equally execut-