Year: 1876




COLUMBUS, OHIO July S, 1876
B3n Ello1Td Mcpherson, Hon. William A. Holcorl,
Hon Joseph II; RGlncy and Others, Committee Of the
National Republican, CORreRtiOR:


(iENTLEMEN-In reply to your official communiea-
ton of June 17th by which l am informed of my
nomination for the Office of President of the United
States by the Republican National Convention at
Cincinnati accept the nomination with gratitude
hoping that under Providence ! shall be able, if
trust for the benefit of all the people


do not deem it necessary to enter upon any cx-
tended examination of the declaration of principles
made by the Convention. The resolutions are in ac
cord with my views, and / heartily concur in the
lions however, questions are considered which of
such importance that deem it proper to briefly eX-
press my convictions in regard to them.


CIVIL SERVICE REFORM


The fifth resolution adopted by the Convention is
Of paramount interest More than forty years ago a
system Of making appointments to office grew up
SpOiS" The old rule, the true rule, that honesty
capacity and fidelity constitute the only real quaIif
gave place the idea that party services were to be
chiefly considered. Al parties in practice, have
adopted this system. 1t has been essentially modified
since the first introduction it has not, however been
improved, At first the President. either directly or
through the heads of departments made all the ap-
ponments But gradually the appointing power in
many eases, passed into the control of members of
not merely rewards for party services, but
rewards for services to party leaders This
partments OF the government; it tends directly to
extravaganza and official incapGcity il is telpta.
Il nar
full SUPERVISION and strict accountability by which
alone faithful and efficient public service can be
secured II oDstr1cts the prompt removal and sure
punishment OF the unworthy; IN every way il de-
grades the civil service and the character of the
government II is felt. am confident, by large
majority OF the members of Congress. to be an in
tolerlble burden and cnwarrantable hindrance to
the proper discharge of their legitimate duties 1t
ought TO be abolished The reform should be
thorough, radical and complete. We should return
the principles ald practice of the founders of the
goyernment-supplying by legislation when needed,
that which was formerly the established custom
They neither expected nor desired from the public
officers any partisan service. They meant that pub-
lie officers should give their whole service to the
government and to the people; They meant that
the officer should be secure i'll his tenure as long as
his personal character remained untarniShed and
the performance OfhiS duties satisfactory. Ifelected
sha! conduct the administration of the government
upon these principles and all constitutional powers
vested in the Executive will be employed to establish


SINGLE TERN


The declaration of principles by the Cincinnati
Convention makes no announcement in favor of a
single Presidential term. do not assume to add to
that decarton but believing thatthe restoration of
the civil service TO the system established by Wash
best accomplished by an Executive who is under no
temptation the patronage of his office to promote
his Own reelection desire to perform what regard
a 4 duty in stating now my infexible purpose if
elected not to be candidate for election to a second
term.


THE CURRENCY QUESTION.


On the currency question have frequently ex-
pressed views i'll public and stand by my record
this subject. regard all the laws of the United
states relating to the payment of the public indebted
ness the legal tender notes included constituting
pledge and moral obligation of the government.
which must in good faith be kept. 1t is my convic-
ton that the feeling of uncertainty nSeparable from
an redeemable paper currency with its fluctuations
Of value Is one of the great obstacles to revival of
confidence and business and TO return of prosperity
That uncertainty can be ended in but one way-the
assumption Of specie payments; but the longer the
Instability of our money system is permitted TO con-
line the greater viii be the injury inflicted upOn our
economical interests and all classes of society If
elected shall approve every appropriate measure
accomplish the desired end and shall oppose any
step backward.


TIE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.


The resolution with respect to the public school
system is one which should receive the hearty sup
iort OF the American people Agitation upon this
subject Is to be apprehended until by constitutional
amendment the schools are placed beyond all danger
OF Sectaran control or interference The republican
party Is pledged 10 secure such an amendment.


TIE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS.


The resolution of the Convention tie subject of
complete protection Of all the citizens in the free en-
j1ymen OF all of their constitutional rights is timely
ana Of great importance.


TIE SOUTH.


The condition OF the Southern States attracts the
attention and commands the sympathy of the people
Of the whole Union In their progressive recovery
from the effects Of the their first necessity is an
Intelligent and honest administration of government
winch VIII protect all classes of citizens in their poll
teal and private rights. What the South most needs
Is peace and peace depends upon the supremacy
oi tne law: There can be no enduring peace if the
oh;tl,o 0nai rights Of any portion of the people are
Ties resting merely upon sectional lines is ALWAYS uu.
fortunate ana may be disastrous. The welfare of the
south. alike with that of every other part of this
country depends upon the attractions it can offer Ia
labor ard immigration and to capital but laborers
VIII not 20 and capital will not be Ventured where
the constitution and the laws set at defiance and
distract)n apprehension and alarm take the place OF
Ieace-ovlng and law abiding social life. All parts
the constitution sacred and must be sacredly OBJ
erved-the parts that are less than the parts
that are old. The moral and national prosperity OF
ne SOutnern states can be more efectually advanced
b nearly and generous recognition OF the rights
AL Dy ala recognition without reserve exception
Win Sucn recognition fully accorded il will bC
practicable to promote, by the influence of all egiti
mae agencies OF the general government the effort
0i the people of those States to obtain for themseve
The blessings Of honest and capable local government
II elected shall consider il not only my duty but
Will be my ardent desire to labor for the attainmen
Of this end.


Let Inc assure my cOuntrymen of the SOutherl
states that if shall be charged with the duty of
ganlZng an administration, it will be which viii
Tr and cherish their trueSt interests-the interest
ol me white and Of the coored people both, anC
equally and which will put forth its best efforts il
Iehaii Of civil policy which will wipe ont fOreve
the distinction between North and South in Ou
common country


With civil service organized upon a system whiel
VIII secure purity experience, efficiency and ecOnO
NY strict regard for the public welfare solely in az
p0intments, and the speedy thorough and unsparin
prosecution and punishment of all public officers VIII
Deiray official trusts; with sound currency; wit
edncatlOn unsectaran and free 20 all; with smplicit
and irngality in public and private Affairs and wit
maternal spirit Of harmony pervading the people
all sections and Classes, may reasonably hope ths
le second century Of our existence a nation will
Dy the blessing Of God. be pre-emnent as an era {
good feeling and period OF progress prosperity an


Very respectfully, your fellow citizen,


Il. b. HAYES.