American citizen., 1880-08-07

Formal Acceptance by Mesaru. Hancock
md English OF the Democratic NomIna.
tions for President and Vice-PresidenG.
GENERAL HANCOCK.
NEW YORK, July 20.
The following is General Hancock's 8
letter Of acceptance:
GOVERNORS ISLAND, NEM Yosk CITY.
GENrLEMEN:-Ibave the honor to acknowi
edge the receipt of your letter of July 49,
1880, apprising me formally of my nomina-
tion to the Office Of President of the United
States by the National Democratic Con~en-
tion lately assembled in Cincinnati. accept
the nomination with grateful appreciation
OF the confidence reposed in me.
The principles enunciated by the COnven-
tion are those 1 have cherished in the past
and shall endeavor to maintain in the future
THE CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments to the Constitution Of the
United States, embodyiDg the results Of the
war for the Union, are tnyiOlable. II called
to the Presidency / should deem 1t my duty
to resist with all my power any attempt TO
impair or evade the full force and effect Of
the Constitution, which in every article, sec
ton 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, Ex-
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-
spectiyely, 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 q 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 IA
theirs made, and which has been sorespected
abroad and 50 benefcent at home. Tried by
blood and fire, it stands to-day a model form
of free popular government, a political sys-
tenn which, ghtly 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
eminent which constitutes one people is Just
ly dear to US; it is the main pillar in the edifice
of our real Independence, the support Of our
peace, safety and prosperity, and Of that lib
erty We SO highly prize, and intend at every
THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT AND
LAW.
But no form of Government, however care
will protect the rights of the people unless
It's administration is faithful aud efficient 1t
is vital principle in our system that neither
fraud nor force must be allowed to subvert
the rights of the people. When fraud, viO-
lence or incompetence controls, the noblest
Constitutions and wisest laws useless.
The bayonetis not . fit instrument for col
lecting the votes for freemen. 1t is only by
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 q trust, not bounty be-
slowed upon the holder. No incompetent
or dishonest person should ever be trusted
with It, or, If appointed. they should prompt
ly be elected.
Our material interests, varied and progress
i've, demand our constant and united efforts.
A sedulous and scrupulous care of the pub
lie credit, together with wise and econom-
fcal management Of our Governmental ex-
penditures, should be maintained, in order
that labor may be lightly burdened, and that
all persons may be protected in their right to
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 and generous rivalry among
our own industries, which will revive our lam
gushing merchant-marine, extend our COM
merce with foreign nations, assist our mer-
chants, manufacturers aud producers to de-
vclop our vast natural resources and increase
the prosperity and happiness of our people
CONCLUSION.
II elected, / shall, with Divine favor, labor
with what ability l 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
and equally executed in sll parts of
the country alike. / will assume the respon-
sibility, fully sensible of the fact that to ad-
Is to discharge the most sacred duty that can
devoive upon an American citizen.
am, very respectfully, yours,
w. s. HANCOCK.
To the Hon. John w, Stevenson, President
of the Convention; Hon. John p. Stockton, |
the National Democratic Convention.