Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-01-01
Message of President johnson.
HIS Appreciation of Gen. Hdncock's Admin.
'stratton of the Fifth Military District. a

The President sent the following mes
sage to Congress last Wednesday:
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND OF THE
House OF REPRESENTATIVES:
An official copy of the order issued by
Major General Winfield S. Hancock, Com
mander of the Fifth Military District, dat
ed headquarters, New Orleans, on the 29th
day of November, has reached me through
the regular channels of the War Depart
ment, and | herewith communicate it to
Congress for such action as may seem to
be proper in view of all the circumstances.
1t will be perceived that General Hancock
announces that he will make the law the
rule of his conduct; that he will uphold
the courts and other civil authorities in the
performance of their 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
right 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 should be.
When a great soldier, with unrestricted
power in his hands TO oppress his fellow
men, Voluntarily foregoes the chance Of
gratifying his selfish ambition and devotes
himself to the duty of bailding up the lib
critics and strengthening the laws Of his
country, be presents an example OF the
highest public virtue that human nature is
capable of practising.
The strongest claim Of Washington to
be first in war, first in peace, and first in
the hearts of his countrymen," is founded
on the great fact that in all his iIlustrious
career he scrupulously abstained from vio-
lating the legal and constitutional rights Of
his fellow citizens, When he surrendered
his commission to Congress the President
of that body spoke his highest praise in
saying that he had always regarded the
rights of the civil authorities, through all
dangers and disasters" Wherever power
above the law courted bis acceptance he
calmly put temptation aside. BY such
magnanimous acts of forbearance he won
the universal admiration of mankind, and
left name which has no rival 10 the his
tory Of the world
am far from saying that Gen. Hancock
is the only officer Of the American Army
who is influenced by the example of Wash
ington. Doubtless thousands of them are
faithfully devoted to the principles foI
which the men of the Revolution laid down
their lives. But tine distinguished honor
belongs to him of being the first officer il
high command south of the Potomac since
the close of the civil war who has giver
utterance to those noble sentiments in the
form of military order.
/ respectfully suggest to Congress tha
some public recognition of Gen. Hancock:
patriotic order is due, if not to him, to the
friends of law and justice throughout tbt
Cvu"tIy. Va Su~l'aAn aUU oo ms at suCu
time it is but fitting that its dignity should
be vindicated and the virtue proclaimed
so that its value as an example may no
be lost to the nation.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, d. g., Dec. Is, '67.