Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-08-26
Texts From HancOck's Letters.

Texts From HancOck's Letters.
When fraud, violence or incompe.
tence controls, the noblest Constitutions
and wiseJt laws are 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 the people can rule
in fact, as required by the theory Of
our Government. Take this fousda.
ton away and the whole structure falls.
The great principles of American lib.
erty are still the rightful inheritance Of
this people, and ever should be.
The right of trial by jury, the haJeas
corpus, the liberty of the press, the free.
dom of speech, the natural rights OF
persons and the rights OF property,
must be preserved.
The thirteenth, fourteenth and fif.
teenth amendments to the Constitu-
ton of the United States, embodying
the results OF the war for the Union, are
| inviolable.
If called to the Presidency, should
deem il my duty TO resist, with all my
power, any attempt TO impair or eyade
the full force and effect of the Consti
tuition, which in every article, section
and amendment, Is the supreme law OF
the land.
This Union, composing General
Government with general powers and
State Governments, with State powers
for purposes local to the States, is a
polity the foundations of which were
laid in the profoundest wisdom.
Tk.a &. a.. Tfa,n,, ,rht-h fath hars
made and which has been so respected
abroad and so benefcent at home.
The war for the Union was success
| fully closed more than fifteen years
ago.
All classes of our people must share
alike the blessings of the Union, and
are equally concerned in its perpetuity
and in the proper administration OF
public affairs.
We are in q state of profound peace
| Henceforth let it be our purpose To cul-
| tiyate sentiments OF friendship and not
OF animosity among our fellow-citizens.
As one people we have common in
terests.
A sedulous and scrupuious care OF the
Public Credit, together with a wise and
economical management OF our Govern
mental expenditures, should be main
tanned. in order that labor may be light
| ly burdened and that all persons may
be protected in their rights TO the fruits
Of their own industry.
Let us encourage the harmony and
generous rivalry among our own indus
tries which will revive our langulshing
merchant marine, extend our con merce
with foreign Nations, assist our mer.
chants, manufacturers and producers TO
dey yelop our vast natural resources, and
increase the prosperity and happiness
OF our people.
Public Office is trust. not bounty
bestowed upon the holder.
The basis of a substantial, practical
Civil Service Reform must first be es.
tablished by the people in filling the
elective Offices If they fix hi IN stand.
ard of qualifications for Office. Fnd stern
ly reject the corrupt and incompetent,
the result will be decisive in governing
the action of the servants whom they
intrust with appointing power.
No form of government, however
carefully devised, no principles, how.
ever sound, will prott 81 the rights OF
| NHt HtOHlt uUltcb ~
faithful and efficient.
Power may destroy the forms, but not
the principles of Justice; these will live
in spite even of the sword.
The true and proper use OF the mill.
tary power, besides defending the Ma.
tional honor against foreign Nations, is
TO uphold the laws and Civil Govern.
ment and to secure TO every person re.
siding among US the enjoyment of life,
liberty and property.
The Regular Army should be so di.
rected by its superior officers as 10 be
recognized as bulwark in support Of
the rights of the people and of the law.
| would, under no circumstances nj.
low myself or my troops to determine
who were the lawful members of State
Legislature.
Our system does not provide that enc
President should inaugurate another.
There might be danger in that and II
was studiously left out of tae charter.
The Army should have nothing to do
with the election or inauguration Of
Presidents. The people elect the Pres.
ident. The Congress declares in joint
session who he Is.
| like Jefferson's way OF Inauguration I;
it suits our system. He rode alone on
horseback TO the Capitol, tied his horse
to rail fence, entered and was duly
sworn; then rode to the Executive
| M..x.;nx, ADD fnnlr mas aanion