Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1880 — Gen. Hancock’s Letter ot Acceptance. [ARTICLE]

Gen. Hancock’s Letter ot Acceptance.

I ISLAND, 1 New York Cut, July 29, 1880. J Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 13,1880. apprising me formally of my nomination to the oflice of President of the United States by the National Democratic 1 Convention lately assembled In Cincinnati. I accept the nomination with grateful appreciation of the confidence reposed in me. The principles enunciated by • Convention are those I have cherished in the past and shall endeavor to maintain iq the future. The thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States, embodying the results qf the soar for the Union, are inviolable. If called to the Presidency I should deem it my duty lo resist with all my power any attempt to impair or evade, the full force and efl'eel of'the Constitution, sehich in every 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 judicial departments define and limit the authority of the General Government; powersnot • delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by It to the Slates, belong to the States respectively ©r to the people. The General and State governments, each > acting In its own sphere without trenching upon the lawful {Jurisdiction of the other, constitute the Union. This Union, iromprising a General Government with general powcrs< and State governments with State powers for purposes local to , the States, is a polity the foundations of which were laid in the profoundest wisdom. 1 This is the Union our fathers made, and which has been ■o respected abroad and so beneficent at home. Tried by blood and fire, it stands to-day a model form of free popular fovemment, a political system which, rightly administered, as been and will continue to be the admiration of the world. May we not say nearly in the words of "Washington: The unity of government which constitutes us one people Is justly 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 liberty we so highly prize and intend at every hazard to preserve t Bull no form of government however carefully devised, no principles however sound, will protect the rights of the people unless administration is faithful and efficient. It is a vital principle in ©ur 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 freemen. It is pnly by a full vote, free ballot and fair count that the people can mle in fact as required by the theory of our Goverment. Take this foundation away and the whole structure falls. Public office is a trust, not a bounty bestowed upon the holder ; no incompetent or , dishonest persons should ever be intrusted with it. or if appointed i tAey should be promptly ejected. The basis of a substantial, Eractical, civil service reform must first be established bv le people in filling the elective offices; if they fix a high standard of qualification for office and sternly reject the cor- | rupt and incompetent, the result will be decisive in govern- | fug the action of the servants whom they entrust with appmnting power. i The war for the Union was successfully closed more than I fifteen years ago. All classes of our people must share alike tn the blessings of the Union, and are equally concerned in tts perpetuity and in the proper administration of public affairs. We are in a state of profound peace. Henceforth let It be our purpose to cultivate sentiments of friendship and not of animosity among our fellow-citizens. Our material Interests, varied md progressive, demand our constant and united efforts. A sedulous'and scrupulous care of the public credit, together with a wise and economical management ©f our governmental expenditures, should be maintained, in order that labor may be lightly burdened, and that all peri sons may be protected in their rights to the fruits of their ©wn industry. The time has come to enjoy the substantial I benefits of reconciliation. As one people we have common ' interests. Let us encourage the harmony and generous rivalry eonong our own Industries, which will revive our languishing ■ ©lercAonf marine, extend our commerce with foreign nations, as- ■ <hw merchants, manufacturers and producers to develop our : vast natural resources ana increase the prosperity and happiness i ff our people. If elected I shall, with the divine favor, labor with what ' ability I possess to discharge my duties with fidelity accord- | Ing to my convictions, and shall take care to protect and defend the Union, and to see that the laws be faithfully and equally executed in all parts of the country alike. I will assume the responsibility, fully sensible of the faet that to adn. blister rightly the functions of government is to dlscharjß“the'‘fnost sacred duty that can devolve upon an (AqJferican citizen. lam very respectfully yours, A WINFIELD 8. HANCOCK. To \the Honorable John <V. Stevenson, President of the Convention, the Honorable John P. Stockton, Chairman, a . id others of the Committee ®f the National Democratic C/onvcntlon. ' SPEECH OF CAPTAIN HANCOCK. DELIVERED AT ZiT LOS ANGELES, CAL., JULY 4th, 1861.

AVhen stationed at Loa Angeles, California, Captain Han-t-fock received the neWs of the incipient demonstrations ' against the Union in 1860, and it was at that critical moment fithat he displayed alike his patriotism, his magnanimity and I "his toleration. Abraham Lincoln had been elected President I of the United States in November, and it was about Christianas time when Hancock heard the fact. Born a Democrat 1 himself .and never denying his attachment to that great threw himself boldly into all the djscusgions of the hour; and while maintaining strict guard over bis own temper, stood firm and fast to the old flag in the midst of the tempest of passion and fanaticism. But for the heroic conduct and the wise measures adopted by Democrats like Field and Hancock, sinking all party differences, and forming a coalition composed of men of all t factions, to hold California to her place in the family of I States, she would Irave been dragged out by the tremendous i energy of the secession leaders, and the whole character of ’ tire subsequent st ruggle would have been changed. The i temptation to British intervention would have been incal- ‘ eulably strengthened, and anybody can estimate the addi- < tional strain upon our resources which would have been occasioned by an extension of the war beyond the Rocky i Mountains? But there, as tn every other similar emergency iof his life, Hancock was equal to the civil as well as to the f military duty of the hour. On the 4th of July, 1861, he made an address at the first I Union meeting In Los Angeles, California. This magnifi- . cent utterance was the simple enthusiasm of his heart at i the moment. He spoke as follows: We have met to commemorate that day of all among .Americans, the most hallowed and cherished of the national 'Memories efh lifetime—the 4th of July. 1776—that day ’ Wtaathe l4|gß of tyrants tn the colonies of America ceased, of reason, fraternity, and of equal political MgM began. Who on this continent does not know of the 'jgroat eveaftMUeh transpired on that d ty, the anniversary of which we at acet here to celebrate, that event so interesting tcUtll A iwflße the declaration of our national independence/, JM» among us would wish to see the day apmmiHeh 'ehe* that occasion should cease to be commemorjuted? IwA not believe that any can be found so destitute jgfpcMaflb*Wrlde as not to feel in his veins a thrilling curWteaa wM deeds of his ancestors in the battles of the ■BVCtafckmvn mentioned. f Can any one hear the great events of that contest related wishing that his ancestors had been personally en- ( ofus can forget the names of Lexington, of Monmouth, of Brandywine and Yorktown, and who can regret that he is a descendant of those who fought there for the li’. erties we now enjoy ? And what flag is It that we now lovk to as the banner that carried us through the great contest, and was honored by the gallant deeds of Its defenders? I The star-spangled banner of America, then embracing thirteen pale stars representing that number of oppressed colonies, now thirty-four bright planets, representing that number of great states. To be sure, clouds intervene be- • tween ns and eleven of that number, but we will trust that {those clouds may soon be dispelled, and that those great ) stars in the Southern constellation may shine forth again twith even greater splendor than before. ' Let us believe, at least let us trust, that our brothers [there doßot wish to separate themselves permanently from 'the common memories which have so long bound us together, [but thatwhen reason returns and resutnes her sway, they will prefer the brighter page of history which our mutual deeds havte inscribed upon the tablets of time, to that of the (uncertain} future of a new confederation, which, alas, to them majnprove illusory and unsatisfactory. < Let therm return to us. We will welcome them as brothers who have Been estranged, but have come back. We will have an intlrest in the battlefields of the revolution in those states not Second to their own. Our forefathers fought there side my side with theirs. Can they, if/they would, throw asidefbeir right to the memories of the great field on our soil on which their ancestors won renown ? No, they cannot I Gdm forbid that they should desire it. To those who re.'pirdless oiltiiese sacred memories, insist on sundering this union of stales, let us, who only wish our birthright preserved to us, >nd whose desire it Is to be still citizens of the great countrji that gave us birth, and to live under that flag . which has gained for us the glory we boast of, say this day |to those am onu us who feel aggrieved: Your rights we wifi 'respect; yourhvrongs we will assist you to redress; but the ' government resulting from the union of these states is a priceless heritage that wo intend to preserve and defend to the last extremity. I Hancock did mot long remain tn California after this noble qwech. Ho aq once solicited employment in the Union finny, and reported for duty in Washington in September, ' '