Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-07-31
Letters OF Acceptance from General
hancock and Mr.. w. e.. English.

Va i1CCcIbaAhCS SGNeES4
hancock and Mr. w. Il. English.
The following is Gcaeral Hano2cA's letter of
acceptance of the democratic nomination for
President of the United States:
GENERAL HANcocK's ACCEPTANCE.
GOVERNORS ISLAND. NEW YORK CRY,
July %, 1SS0.-Gentemeu l have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt OF your letter Of
July H., 1850, apprisiug me formal of my
nomination to the ofics of President of tic
United States By the national democratic con
Ventlon, lately assembled 10 Cir ciunat. &C.
cept tho nominatiau With grateful appreciation
OF the confidence repcsed 10 me. Tho prirci-
Piles enucclated by tho convention ere thUse
have cherished 10 the past aad shall eodcaVcr
to maintain in tho future.
Tbs thirtecnth, fourteenth end ifcoOth
amendments 10 tho Constitution Of tho United
States. embodyiog tho rasulis OF the war for the
Uriou, are iuviclable 1t chilled to the plci'
deucy should deem it my duty to resis; with all
OF nv power CIV attempt to impsir or cvade the
full foIco and tfics Of the Goes .iuliop, which,
10 every article, section ard amendment, is the
supreme law of the land Tho Constitution
forms tho basis Of the government Of tho Uaitcd
States. The powers granted by it 10 tho leais-
latlve, executive and judicial departments define
and limit tho authority of the general govern.
ment. Powers not delegated TO the United
States by tho Constitution. nor prohibited By
it to tbs Statcs. bslong to the States, resptc
lively, or to tho ploplo. Tho general end State
governments. eacl ao!iag in its Own sphere,
without touching UPON the lawful jatis fiction
OF the other, constitute the Uaion. This Union,
comprising general government, With general
powers, and State governments with State pow.
ers for purposes local to tho States. is poity
the foundations of which wero laid in tho pro,
fOundest wisdom. This is the Union our fathers
made, and which has beer so respected abroad
srd so benefeent at homo. IRE By flood and
fire, it stands to day model form of free popu
lar government; q political system which.
rightly administered, has boen and " Il continue
to tc the admiration Of the wolll May wo
not say, nonrly in The words Of Washington !:
Tho uDity of government which constitutes us
ono people is justly dear to u.s. il is the maio
pillar 10 the edifco of our real iDdependeI O.,
the support Of cur peace, safety snd prosperity,
and of that liberty 40 SO highly priz! sad 10.
tepd at every htz,rd to prescrVe?'
Bat no form OF government, how, yer clrc-
folly devised, 10 principles. however sound,
will protect tie lights of thu people unless tho
administration is faithful and efficient. Il is a
vital principal 10 our system that neither fraud
nor force must BE- allowed to subvart the rights
Of the people. When fraud, violorc, or ire m.
petercs controls. tho noblest conslitu:ie1s and
wise laws arc useless. Tho baycnat is not O
fit ins!ram ent for collecting the votes Of free.
men. 1t is only By full vote, free ballot aud
fair count that tho people can rule 10 fact, es
rq1ircd by the theory OF our government. Take
this found .tion sway snn the whole structure
falls.
Public lffioo is lrvs!. not bounty be-
slowed upon tho holder. No incompetent or
dishonts; persons should ever DO entrusted With
it; or, if appointed. they should bo prtmp,Ig
ri actcd. Tho basis oil substantial, prAoca! civil
service reform mus. first bo established By the
people 10 filing the elective ofhcss. If they fix
high standard of qualifications Tor ofic,, aud
thereby reject the corrupt aad incompetent, the
result viii be decisive 10 governing tho action
Of the servants whom they entrus: with the pp.
poiutiGg power
Tho war Tor Tho Uoiou was successfully
olCsed more than fifteen years ago. All
CLASSES Of cur people must share alike in the
blsssiegs Of the Unior, and nro equally coz
c.rrel 10 its perpotuity md tho prep.r admin
isrstion of public affairs. We are in stat, OF
profound pcaco. Hcrcefcrh let i. BIZ cur nur-
peso to cultivate sentiments of friendship. sud
not of animosity. smong cur fellow citizens
Our material interests, varied aDd progressive,
demand our constant aud united efforts.
A sedulous and sorupucus caro- OF tho pub-
lie ;edit. together With visa a1d economical
management of our governmental expendi
lures, should BE- maintained, 10 crler that labor
may be lightly burdened, and that a!l persons
may be protected 10 their rights 10 tho fruits
of their Own industry. Tho time has couu 10
ebi3y the substantial bsnsf's of reconciliation.
As one people We have Common Interests. Let
us encourage the harnoUy and generous
rivalry among our owe industries which will
revive cur la1guishiog merchant marine, cx.
tend our oommalcl with foreign notions, assist
cur Merchants, manufacturers ard producers
to develop our vast natural resources. cod 10.
cgcaso The prosperity and happiocss If our
people.
Ii elected | shall with the Diviao favor,
labor with what ability l possess to discharge
nly duties with fidelity, according 10 NY con.
vicious, and shall take care to pro!cc! aud 10
feed tho Uoi0o. aud to see that tie laws bo
tq1alIy aud faithfully executed in al! parts of
the county alike. | will assume the rtsoou-
sibility fully sensible Of tie fact tho. to ndmin.
lister rightly tho functions Of government is to
discharge tho most sacred duty that can d1volge
upon an Anciic,n oitz,p. | an. very respect.
fully yours,
WINFIELD 8. HANCOCK.
To tho Hon. Jno. w. Stevenson, president of
the convention, Hon. John Z. Stockton,
chairman, and others, committee of the ca.
ti1nal convention.
MIR. ENGLISH s ACCEPTANCE.
Hon. VIM. Ii. Eoglish has transmitted tho !o!'
lowing letter Of acoeptarc, Of tho nomination of
candidate for Vics President to the c)mmitttc
Of notification:
INDIANAPOLIS, July 30. 1850 -Gcntlemen:
l have now the honor to reply to your letter Of
the l3h inst, informiog Ee that | vas unani.
mousy nominated for the Office of Vice Presi.
dent Of the Uoited States by the late democratic
national convention which assembled at Gin.
cinnati. AZ foreshaGoIed in the verbal re-
marks msdo by me at the tims OF tho delivery
OF your letter. have now to say that | accept
tho high trust with realizing sors, OF it's
op6 op 1rnfnnn6lo ,I l.,