Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-12-26

The President, on Wednesday, the
18th instant, Transmitted TIE follow
ing specialmessagc TO the Rump Con
gress. Thereading Of it caused d good
deal Of "sniggcring" on the loyal side
Of the House, because it dwells oulo-
gistically on constitutional law aud
the rights Of freemen:
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives
An Official copy of the order issued
by Major General W. S Hancock,
commander of the Fifth Military Dis
trict, dated headquarters, New Or
leans, on the 10th day Of November,
has reached me through the regular
channels Of the War Department. aud
! herewith communicate 1t TO Congress
for such action as may seem TO be
proper, in view OF all the circum-
stances. 1t will be perceived that
General Hancock announces that he
will make the law the rule of his con-
duct; that he will uphold the courts
and other civil authorities in the per-
formance of bis proper duties, and
that he will use bis military power
only to preserve the peace and enforce
the law. He declares very explicitly
that the sacred rights Of trial by jury
and the privilege of the writ of habeaS
corpus shall not be crushed out or
trodden under foot. He goes further,
and in one comprehensive sentence,
asserts that the principles of American
liberty are still the inheritance Of this
people, and ever shall be- When a
great soldier, with unrestrained power
in his hands, to oppress his fellw-men,
voluntarily foregoes the chance Of
gratifying his selfish ambition, and
devotes himself to the duty of building
up the liberties and strengthening the
laws of his country, he presents an
example Of the highest virtue that
human nature is capable Of practcing.
The strongest claim OF Washington to
be "first in war, first in peace, and first
in the hearts of his cUuntrymen," is
founded on the great fact that in all
/ his illustrious career he scrupulously
abstained from violating the legal and
constitutional rights Of his fellow cit
izens. When he surrendered his COM
mission to Congress, the President of
that body spoke his praise in saying
he had always regarded the right OF
the civil authorities through all dan
gers and disasters. Where power
above the law courted his acceptance
he calmly put temptation aside. BY
such magnanimous acts offorbearance
he won the universal admiration OF
mankind and left name which has
no rival in the history of the world
nn, Far from saying Gen Hancock
is the only officer of the American
army who is influenced by the exam
pie of Washington. Doubtless thou
sands Of them are faithfully devoted
to the principles for which the men OF
the Revolution laid down their lives,
but the distinguished honor belongs
to him of being the first officer, in high
command south of the Potomac since
the close OF the civil war, who has
given utterance to these noble senti.
lnonts in the form Of military order
respectfully suggest to Congress that
some public recognition Of General
/ Hancock's patriotic conduct is due, il
not TO him, to the friends of law and
justice throughout the country. Oi
such an act as his, at such time, il
is but fitting that the dignity should
be vindicated and the virtue proclaim.
ed, so its value as an example may moi
be lost TO the nation.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
MAanINarnN. Dec. lS- 1857.