Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-08-06
LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE.
Formal Acceptance by Messrs. HancocL
and English OF the Democratic NomIna
tions for President and Vice-PresIdent.
GENERAL HANCOCK.

and English OF the Democratic NomInn-
tions for President and Vice-PresIdent.
GENERAL HANCOCK.
NEW YORK, July 20.
The following is General Hancock's
letter of acceptance:
GovERNoR's ISLAND, NEW YoRK CITY,
July 20, 1880.
GENTLEMEN ;-Ihayc the honor to aclnowi
edge the receipt of your letter of July 13
1880, apprising me formally of my nomlna-
tion to the Office Of President of the United
States by the National Democratic Conven-
tion lately assembled In Cincinnati. ! accept
the nomination with grateful appreciation
Of the confidence reposed in me-
The principles enuncated by the Couven-
tion are those l have cherished in the past
and shall endeavor to maintain in the future.
THE CONSTRUCTION AND AMENDMENTS.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments to the Constitution of the
United States, embodying the results of the
war for the Union, are involable. II called
TO the Presidency should deem it my duty
to resist with all my power auy attempt to
impair or evade the full force and effect Of
the Constitution, which in every article, sec
tion 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, Elk.
ecutive and Judicial Departments define and
limit the authority of the General Govern
ment. Powers not delegated TO the United
States by the Constitution nor prohibited
by it to the States belong to the States re-
spectively, or to the people. The General
aud State Governments, each acting in its
own sphere, without trenchirg upon the
lawful Jurisdiction of the other constitute
the Union. This Union, comprising a Gen
eral 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 pro-
foundest wisdom. This is the Union our fa-
theirs made, and which has been so respected
abroad and so benehcent at home. Tried by
blood and fire, it stands to-day a model form
Of free popular government, political sys-
TEN 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 Gov
ernment which constitutes one people is Just
ly dear to US it is the main pillar in the edice
Of our real independence the support of our
peace, safety and prosperity, and Of that lib
erty we 80 highly prize, and intend at every
hazard to preserve.n
THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND
But no form Of Government however care
fully devised-no principles, however sound
will protect the rights Of the people unless
its 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, viO-
lence or incompetence controls, the noblest
Constitutions and wisest laws are useless.
The bayonetis not a lit instrument for col
lecting the votes for 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 foun-
dation away, and the whole structure falls.
| Public office is a trust, not a bounty be-
slowed upon the holder. No incompetent
/ or dishonest person should ever be trusted
! with it, or, If appointed, they should prom pt-
] ly be elected.
Our material interests, varied and progress
| i've, demand our constant and united efforts
/ sedulous and scrupulOus care of the pub
| lie credit, together with a wise and econom
! ical management of our Governmental ex
| pendtures, should be maintained, in order
that labor may be lightly burdened, and that
all persons may be projected in their right tc
| the fruits of their own industry.
The time has come to enjoy the substan-
tial benefits of reconciliation. As one peo
| pie, we. have common interests. Let us en-
| courage harmony aud generous rivalry among
our own industries, which will revive our Ian
! gushing merchant-marine, extend our com.
merce with foreign nations, assist our mer
chants, manufacturers and producers to de
/ velop our vast natural resources and increase
the prosperity and happiness of our people.
CONCLUSION
II elected, / shall, with Divine favor, labor
with what ability | possess to discharge my
/ duties with fidelity, according to my convic
tions, and shall take care to protect and de
| fend the Union, and to see that the laws be
faithfully and equally executed in all parts OF
/ the country alike. / will assume the respon
sibility, fully sensible of the fact that to ad
minister rightly the functions of Government
is to discharge the most sacred duty that car
deyoive upon an American citizen.
1 am, very respectfully, yours,
| w. S. HANCOCK.
| To the Hon. John W. Stevenson, President
of the Convention; Hon. John p. Stockton
Chairman; and others of the Committee OF
the National Democratic Convention.