The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-08-04
.yTERS AND MERCHANTS At GER HANC0CKS LETTER OF AG
TENTIoN! CEPTASCE'

of the Convention, non. Joliii
Stockton, Chairman, and others, OF
the Committe of the National Demo-
= cratic Convention:
GENrLEMEN--I have the honor to
acknowledge receipt of your letter OF
July 10, 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. l
accept the nomination with grateful
appreciation of the confidence re-
posed in me.
The principles enunciated by the
Convention are those l have cherish
ed in the pas. and shall endeavor to
maintain in the future. The thir.
tenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments to the Constitution Of
the United States, embodying the re-
suit of the war for the Union, are in
violable. II called to the Presiden-
cy, should deem it my duty to re
sist with all my power any attempt
to impair or evade the full force Of
the Constitution, which in every ar
ticle, 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 Gov
eminent. The powers not delegated
to the United States by the Cons.i-
tuition, nor prohibited by it to the
States, belong to the States respec-
lively, or to the people. The Gene
raj and State Governments, each act
ing in its own sphere, without trench
ing on the lawful jurisdiction of the
other, constitute the Union. This
Union, comprising the General Gov
ernment with general powers, and
State Governments with State pow
ers, for purposes local to States, is
polity, the foundations of which were
laid in the profoundest wisdom
This is the Union our fathers made
and which has been so respected
abroad and 80 bene6cent at home.
Tried by blood and fire, it stands to-
day model form of free popular gov
ernment; a political system which,
rightly administered, has been, and
will continue to be, the admiration
of the world. May we not say, near.
ly in the words of Washington, that
the unity Of government which con
stitutes US one people is justly dear
to US. 1t is the main pillar in the
edifce of our real independence, the
support of our peace, safety and
prosperity, and of that liberty we so
highly prize and intend at every
hazard to preserve. But no form of
government, however carefully de,
vlsed; no principles, however sound,
will protect the rights of the people
unless the administration is faithful
and 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,
violence or incompetence controls,
the noblest constitutions and wisest
laws are useless. The bayonet is
not a fit instrument 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, as
required by the theory of our Gov
eminent. Take this foundation
away and the whole structure falls.
Public office is trust, not a bounty
bestowed upon the holder. No 10
competent or dishonest person should
ever be intrusted with it, or, if ap.
pointed, they should be promptly
elected.
The basis of substantial practical
civil service reform must first he es-
tablished by the people in filling the
elective offices. If they fix a high
standard Of qualifications for office
and sternly reject the corrupt and
incompetent, the result will he deci-
siye in governing the action of the
servants whom they intrust with the
appointing power.
The war for the Union was sue
cessfully closed more than fifteen
years ago. All classes of our people
must share alike in the blessings OF
the Union, and are equally concern.
ed in its perpetuity and IN the pro.
per administration of public affairs
We are in state of profound peace
Hnnrnfnrth Lot Ii ha nnr nnrnnen q