The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-03-16
- RXILR or GEN. HANCOCK.

II affords US no pleasure to attribute to
President Grant motives or sentiments unbe.
coming his exalted position, but we think
he ba, already exhibited a disposidon--we
might say an eagerness,--to reward favo.
rites and punish fancied foes, which is un.
becoming the Executive OF great nation.
We have already spoken Of the assignment
Of commanders to the Southern States. An.
other still more marked instance of his car.
ryiug into the Presidential Office private and
partisan rcseutments, is furnished by hi.
Punishment from civilization Of one the mos
accomplished officers Of the army, Gen,
Hancock. We cannot so well express our
estimate Of this act as by transferring TO
our columns the subjoined considera'e arn.
Gle from that sterling journal the bo''''
Post: d..
The first military order Of ng"' bo iii
as President is one by whose ~ ,bo G.,
not probably wish to be JGgas'a - - Iaa,
ture. Gen. Hancock was ior t'ii'o 'ns'
- 40 r,,st ,,-o,,isent Presidential Candi- /
data in onnosition to the present incumbent |
and for MS he has been exiled by the latter !
10 the wilds of DaCotah. The act is not on
~ In Itself indefensibe on the grounds Of
Justice and magnanimity, but 1t is accom-
panied with cognste orders which put is
malgnity beyond question. As if 1t were !
not enough to Danish 80 gallant a soldier |
and 80 lofty patriot as Gen. Hancock to
tue far Confines Of civilized life, IN requital
0r his noble letter from New Orleans on the
state affairs in the Fifth Military District,
Gen. Sheridan is simultaneously ordered 70
repair to that point and assume command
while list Of inferior Generals, whose &C
tive services against rebellion pale before
the brilaucY Of those OF Gen. Hancock,
are assigned to prominent positions in the
front rank. Think Of Gen. Howard the
hero Of the Freedmau's Bureau, having full
charge Of Indian affairs, while Hancock is
sent farther away 10 do the mental work m.
der him Of a simple Indian fighter The
motive is too apparent TO deceive any one.
.yen those who consent 30 wear the party
binders confess their knowledge Of it, when
they chuckle with such satisfaction over the
act.
The military career Of Major ten. Han.
NoAh - taluAAAai " mas ~ IAlLAuE NHAlti' l'iH
Gen Grant did not distrust him during
those dark four days in the Wilderness,
whose melancholy history was so soon after
illuminated by his gallant deeds alone. Il
was Hancock's bright plume that cheered
the spirits of the whole army then. From
that day TIL the closing up Of the conflict,
his services were the subject Of grateful ad
mlraton both with the soldiers and the coun.
try. We do not design in this place to re-.
capitIlatc the grand points of his career.
They weyr fully worthy Of his character 10
the end. The Union had no more efficient
defender in the field and, therefore, after
the dawa Of peace none were more ready
than he 20 promote the work Of sound rcsto'
ration. His civil career at the head Of the |
Fifth Military District was in marked con
trast % the passionate and heai'Ong course !
of Gen Sheridan. His memorable letter to
the Governor Of Texas was map Of
political truth under republican form Of
government, hud directed the attention Of
the democracy Of the nation to him as a
proper candidate for a Presidential nomina.
ton lie showed in that single commcnta-
~ 0n the situation in his District and in
fact throughout the southern states, such a
comprehensive yet exact knowledge of the
mode Of applying recognized principles to
facts so large a view of the wants Of south
aud north alike, and such an even and stead.
fast devotion to the constitution and all its
: Lain requirements, as few men, trained in
the duties Of civil life and familiar with the
practical workings of the supreme law
would have exhibited in All equal degree.
Was it for this that he has been banshed
|lu..fuh Ara yfg ttHb I (
10 be thus rewarded by one who to day en-.
Joys the full benefit Of them in his own per
son? Can men with single illuminating
ray otiairuess in their composition presume
to defend an act that both in its motive and
the commentary of its Accomplishments, be
trays the malice which turks in petty
triumph, and lays away large store of pub.
Tic condemnation for its adthor? Wherever
Hancock is, the work put upon him will be
thoroughly done. He has shown that his
service Is inspired by principle alone, and by
That lofty aud uuvaryiug courage which is
It's fruit. The people have found him out
long ago, aud nothing could have pressed
him more favorably on their attention again
han this mean effort to degrade him. Such
. spirit never yet secured the ends which 1t
proposes. 1t invariably reacts upon its
p0ssessor Gen. Hancock in Dacotah will
De esteemed more highly by his countrymen
IAN his interiors in Virginia and elsewhere.
They will look more and more to'him, when
the power at headquarters has hoped to con
.gn hs name and fame 10 oblivion. The |
instinct of Justice and the love Of fairplay |
cannot be so readily eradicated from the
popular heart.