The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-09-11
Texts From gen. HancocIs's Letters

II
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Texts From Gen. RancOcIS's Letters.
When fraud, violence or incompetence
controls tho noblest Constitutions and wisest
laws are useless.
The bayonet is not Ct instrument for
the votes of freemen.
II is only by full vote, free ballot, and
fair count that the people can rule in fact,
as required by the theory of our govern
ment. Take this function away and the
whole structure falls.
The great principles Of American liberty
are still the rightful inheritance Of this peo-
pie, and ever should be.
The right Of trial by jury, the habeas cor
pus, the liberty Of the press, the freedom Of
speech, the natural rights Of persons and the
rights Of property must be preserved.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth
amendments to the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States, embodying 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 evade the full force or
effect Of the Constitution, which, in every
article, section and amendment, is the SUI
prone law of the land.
This Union, comprising general Govern
ment, with general powers, and State Coy
ernments, with State powers for purposes
local to the States, is polity the founda.
tions of which were laid in the proioundest
wisdom,
This is the Union which our fathers made
and which has been so respected abroad and
so benefcent at home.
The war for the Union was successfully
closed more than fifteen years age.
All classes Of our people must share alike
the blessings of the Union, and are equally
concerned in its perpetuity, and in the prop
er administration Of public affairs.
We are in a state OF profound peace.
Hencetorth let it be our purpose to cultivate
sentiments of friendship, and not Of animos-
ity, among our fellow citizens.
As one people, we have common interests.
A sedulous and scrupulous care of the
public credit, together with a wise and eco
nomical management Of our governmental
expenditures, should be maintaned, in or
der that labor may be lightly burdened, and
that all persons may be protected In their
rights to the fruits Of their industry.
Let us encourage the harmony and gener-
Gus rivalry among our own industries which
will revive our languishing merchant mar
inc, extend our commerce, with foreign ma
tions, assist our merchants, manufacturers,
aud producers to develop our vast natural
resources, and increase the prosperity and
happiness of our people.
Public office is trust, not bonnty be-
slowed upon the holder.
The basis of substantial, practical civil
service reform must first be established by
the people in filling the elective offices; il
they fix high standard of qualifications
for office, and sternly reject the corrupt and
incompetent, the result will be decisive in
governing the action of the servants whom
they intrpst with appointing power.
No form of government no matter how
carefully devised, no principtej however
sound, will protect the rights of the people
unless administration is faithful and eff
cient.
Power may destroy the forms but not thu
principles of justcej these will live in spit,
even Of the sword.
The true and proper.use Of the military
power besides defending the national homo
against foreign nations, is to uphold tn
laws and civil government, and to secure t.
every person residing among US the enjoy
ment ofliie, liberty and property.
The regular army should be so directed
by its superior officers as to be recognized a
q bulwark in support of the rights OF tn
people and of the law.
would, under no circumstances, ALLOW
myself or my troop to determine who wer
the lawful members of State Legislature.
Our system does not provide that one Pre-
sident should inaugurate another. Their
might be danger in that, and it was stud
ously left out of the charter.
The army should have nothing to do wit
the election or Inauguration of President
The people elect the President The Goa
gress declares in joint session who he is.
, I like Jsfferson's way of Inauguration,
| suits our system. He rode alone on horse
back to the capitol, tied his horse TO a "a
fence, entered, and was duly sworn the
rode to the Executive Mansion and too
J possession,