702 



UNITED STATES. 



the United States, by the National Democratic Con- 

 vention, lately assembled in Cincinnati. I accept 

 the nomination, with grateful appreciation of the con- 

 fidence reposed in me. The principles enunciated by 

 the Convention are those I have cherished in the past 

 and shall endeavor to maintain in the future. 



The thirteenth, fourteenth ? and fifteenth amendments 

 to the Constitution of the United States., embodying the 

 result of the war for the Union, are inviolable. If called 

 to the Presidency I shall deem it 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, 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 Government. The powers not delegated 

 to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohib- 

 ited by it to the States, belong to the States respec- 

 tively, or to the people. The General and State Gov- 

 ernments, each acting in its own sphere without 

 trenching on the lawful jurisdiction of the other, con- 

 stitute this Union. This Union, comprising a General 

 'Government with general powers, and State govern- 

 ments with State powers for purposes local to the 

 States, is a political system, the foundations of which 

 were laid in the profoundest wisdom. This is the 

 Union our fathers made, and which has been so re- 

 spected abroad and so beneficent at home. Tried by 

 blood and fire, it stands to-day a model form of free pop- 

 ular government, a political system which, if rightly 

 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 government 

 which constitutes us one people is justly dear to us. 

 It is the main pillar in the edifice of our real inde- 

 pendence, the support of our peace, safety ^ and pros- 

 perity, and of that liberty we so highly prize and in- 

 tend at every hazard to preserve" f fiut no form of 

 government, however carefully devised, no principles, 

 however sound, will protect the rights of the people 

 unless the Administration is faithful and efficient. 



It is a vital principle in our system that neither 

 fraud nor force must be allowed to subvert the rights 

 of the people. When fraud, violence, or incompe- 

 tence controls, the noblest constitutions and wisest 

 laws are useless. The bayonet is not the fit instru- 

 ment for collecting the votes of free men. It is only 

 by a full vote, free ballot, and fair count, that the 

 people can rule in fact, as required by the theory of 

 our Government. 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 person should ever be intrusted with it, 

 or, if appointed, he should be promptly ejected. 



The oasis of substantial, practical, civil-service re- 

 form must first be established by the people in filling 

 elective offices. If they fix a high standard of qualifi- 

 cations for office, and sternly reject the corrupt and 

 incompetent, the result will be decisive in governing 

 the action of the servants whom they intrust with the 

 appointing power. 



The war for the Union was successfully 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 its 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 no animosity 

 against our fellow-citizens. 



Our material interests, varied and progressive, de- 

 mand our constant and united efforts. A sedulous and 

 scrupulous care of the public credit, together with a 

 wise and economical management of our governmental 

 expenditures, should be maintained, in order that 

 labor may be lightly burdened, and that all persons 

 may be protected in their rights to the fruits of their 

 own industry. 



The time has come to enjoy the substantial benefits 

 of reconciliation. As one people we have common 



interests. Let us encourage that harmony and gener- 

 ous rivalry among our own industries which will re- 

 vive our languishing merchant marine, extend our 

 commerce with foreign countries, assist our merchants, 

 manufacturers, and producers to develop our vast 

 natural resources, and increase the prosperity and 

 happiness of our people. 



If elected I shall, with the divine favor, labor with 

 what ability I possess to discharge my duties with 

 fidelity according to my convictions, and shall take 

 care to protect and defend the Union, and to see that 

 the laws are faithfully and equally executed in all 

 parts of the country alike. I will assume the respon- 

 sibility, fully sensible of the fact that to administer 

 rightly the functions of government is to discharge 

 the most sacred duty that can devolve upon an Ameri- 

 can citizen. I am, very respectfully, 



WINFIELD S. HANCOCK. 



The canvass was conducted with considerable 

 warmth and activity, although the leading ques- 

 tions of reform or change in administration and 

 policy entered into the contest to only a slight 

 degree. The issues of the past and the contest 

 of sections were still dwelt upon, and the re- 

 sources of political management were brought 

 into full play to secure the result. Some inci- 

 dental and confusing use was made of the ques- 

 tion of protection of home industry and that of 

 restricting Chinese immigration, but they were 

 not directly in issue. (For the forged " Chinese 

 letter," see NEW YOEK.) 



The election took place on the 2d of Novem- 

 ber, and the result of the popular vote in the 

 several States was as follows : 



The plurality of Garfield over Hancock, as 

 shown in these returns, was 3,033 ; but in the 

 whole vote the majority against the former was 



