Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-08-01
Has Returned From His Sum-
mer's Vacation,
And the Letter of Acceptance Is
Written and Given to the
Public
Full Text of the Document-A
Regular Fourth of July Speech
What Does He Mean ?-Grave
Utterances of Statesman o.
He Has No Views of His Own
HANCOCK.

THE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
Following is Gen. Hancock's letter
Of acceptance:
GOvERNOR's ISLAND, NEW YORK
CITY, July 29th, 1880.-Gentlemen
1 have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of July 13tb,
1880, apprising me formally Of my
nomination to the office OF president
of the Uuited States, by the national
democratic convention, lately assem-
bIed in Cincinnati. accept the nom~
inatiou with q grateful appreciation Of
the confidence repOsed in me. The
principles enumerated by the cOnven-
tion are those [ have
CHERISHED IN THE PAST
and shall epdeav0r to maintain in the
future. The 18th, I4th and 18th
amendments to the constitution of the
United States, embodying the results
of the war for the Union, are inviOla-
ble If called to the presidency, |
should deem it my duty to resist with
all my power any attempt to impair or
evaoe The full force and effect of the
constitution, which in every article,
section and am ndment 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, execu-
tive and judicial department author
ize and limit the authority of the gen
eral government. The powers not
delegated to the United S stes by the
constitution, nor prohibited by it to
the states, belong to the states respect
iUely. Each acting in its own sphere
without trenchiDg upon the lawful
jurisdiction of the others, constitutes
the union; Lthis nnion comprising
the general government with general
powers, and the state governments
with state powers, for purposes local
to the states is polity, the tfOunda-
tions of which were laid in the pros
foundest wisdom. This the
UNION OUR FATHERS
made. which has been so respected
abroad and so benificent at home.
Tried by blood and fire, it stands to-
day model form of free popular gov
ernment, political system, 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, "tbe unity Of
as one people is justly dear to US. 1t
Is the main pillar and edifice of real
independence; the support of ou4
peace, safety and prosperity, and of
that liberty we so highly prize, and
intend, at all hazard, to preserve"
A 'FREE BALLOT"
But no form of government, howey-
er carefully devised, no principles,
however sound, will protect the Ri ghts
Of the people unless the administration
Is faithful and efficient. 1t is the
vital principle in our system that
neither fraud or force must be allowed
to subvert the rights of the people.
When fraud, violence or incompetence
controls, the nOblest constitutions aud
wisest laws are useless. The bayonet
is not fit instrument for collecting
the votes of free men. It is only by q
full vote, free ballot and fair
count that the people can
rule, in fact, a. rtquir4d by the
theory of our government Take this
foundation away and tie Y hole struc-
ture falls. Public offie is
A TRUST NOT A B UNITY
bestowed upon holders. No incOlnpe-
tent or dishOneet person should ever
be entrusted with it, or if appointed
they should be promptly rejected. The
oasis OF substantial, practical civil
service reform must first be established
by the people in filling elective offices.
II they fix high standard of qualifi-
cations for office and steroly reject the
corrupt and incompetent, the result
Will be decisive in gOvernir g the action
OF servants whom they entrust with
the appointing power.
DOWN WITH THE BLOODY SHIRT!
The war for the Union was success.
fully closed more than fifteen years
ago. All classes of our people must
share alike in the blessings of the
Union and are equally concerned in
s perpetuity and the proper admiDis-
~ OF public affairs We are
Honcstop,he OF profound peace
cultivate sentiments of f,ia,G1,ht;1 G to ~
no animosity against our f,iIonI a.;
zens. Our internal interests r;ad
and prog ressive, demand onr oora.,
and united efforts. e'"n
A sEDULOUs AND sCRUPULoUs CAD,
OF the public credit, together will
wise and economical management
OF our governmental expenditures
should be maintained in order tina
labor may be lightly burdened AM
that all persons may be protected il
thelr rights to the fruits of their Owr
INDUSTRY. The time has come 10 enioy
the substantial benefits Of reconctlia
Ioh. AS one people we have common
interests Let US encourage the
HARMONY AND GENEROUS RIVALRY
among our own industries which vii
revive our languishing merchant
marine, extend our commerce wifi
foreign countries, assist our merchants
manufacturers and producers to de.
tVelop our vast natural resources and
increase the prosperity and happines.
OF our people.
PROMISES.
II elected, shall, with divine favor
iaoor with what ability I possess tc
discharge my duties with fidelity, ac