The daily gazette., 1880-07-31
HANCOCK'S LETTER.
HIS ACCEPTANCE OF THE
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

-DEMOCRATlC NOMlNATION.
A NOZZLE EXPRESSION OF LOFTY
PATRIOTIsM--AL LETTER THAT OF
ITSELF is A NATIONAL PLAT
FORM.
NEW YORK, July 30.-General
Hancock has written the following
letter accepting the Democratic NOM
ination for the Presidency:
GOVERNORS ISLAND
NEW YORK CITY July 20, 1880.
GENTLEMEN IL have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of July 18th, 1880, apprising
me formally OF my nomination to the
office of President of the United
States by the National Democratic
Convention, lately assembled in
Cincinnati. 1 accept the nomina-
ton with grateful appreciation of
the confidence reposed in me. The
principles enunciated by the conven-
ton are those 1 have cherished in
the past and shall endeavor to main
tam in the future. The Thirteenth.
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend
ments to the Constitution Of the
United States, embodying the re-
suits of the war for the Union, are
inviolable. If called to the Presi-
dency / should deemed it my duty
to resist with all my power any at
tempt to impair or evade 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 powers granted by it to
the legislative, executive and judi
cial departments, define and limit
the authority of the general govern
ment. Powers not delegated to the
United States by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by 1t 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 gov
ernment with general powers, and
State governments with State gov
ernments, for purposes local to the
States, is a polity the foundations
of which were laid in the profound
est wisdom. This is the Union our
fathers made and which has been so
respected abroad and benefcent at
home. Tried by blood and fire, it
stands to-day a model and form OF
free, popular government. A poll
tical system which rightly admins.
tered has been and will continue to
be the admiration of the world
May we not say nearly in the word:
of Washington: The unity of gov.
ernment, which constitutes us one
people, is justly dear to us. 1t is
| the main pillar in the edifice of oul
real independence. The support o.
our peace, safety and prosperity ,and
| of the liberty we so highly prize
and intend at every hazard to pre-
serve, and no form of governm ent
however carefully devised, no prin
ciples however sound, will protect
| the rights of the people unless the
administration is faithful and eff
cient. 1t is vital principle in oul
system that neither fraud nor force
must be allowed to subvert the
rights of the people. When fraud,
| violence or incompetence controls
| the noblest constitutions and wisest
laws are useless.
The bayonet is not fit instru
ment for collecting the votes of free
men. 1t is only by full vote, free
ballot and fair count that the people
can rule, in fact is required by thu
theory of our Government. Takt
this foundation away and the Who'll,
structure ialls. Public office is ;
trust, not a bounty, bestowed upoI
its holders.
No incompetent or dishonest per
sons should ever be entrusted will
it, or If appointed, they should b.
promptly elected. The basis of ;
substantial, practical, civil service
form must first be established by tn,
people in filling in the electiv,
offices. If they fix high STANDARD
of qualifications for office, and stern
ly reject the corrupt and incom
petent, the result will be decisive il
governing the action of the servant
whom they entrust with the appoint
ing power. The war for the Unioi
was successfully closed more thai
fifteen years ago. All classes of ou
people must share alike in the bless
ing of the Union, and be equal,
, concerned in its perpetulty, and ii
, the proper administration of publ
affairs. We are in a state of pre-
found peace, henceforth, let it b
our purpose to cultivate sentiment
. of friendship and rot of animosit
l among our fellow citizens. Gu
: material interests, varied and pre-
n presslve, demand our constant an
r United efforts. A sedulous an
scrupulous care of the public credi
s together with wise and economics
y management Of our governments
expenditures should be maintaine
% in order that labor may be light
vt burdened, and that all persons ms
o he protected in their rights to Il
o fruits of their own industry.
~ The time has come to enjoy IL
- substantial benefits of reconciliatio
AS one people we have common i
terests. Let US encourage the ha
oony aud generous rivalry amol