The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-08-31

shall not cavil about him whose good
fortune it is TO be to accomplish so glo.
rious q work. And when the p@an Of
victory shall roll up from the olsen
thralled millions Of the Democratic
hosts in November, 1872, louder than
the thunder peal, or the deep,toned
thorough. bass Of the earthquake, it viii
matter but little whose name shall swell
the grand jubilate and the triumphal
ut,-whether that Of Hancock, Hoff-
man, Hendricks or Thurman. The in
dividual viii be lost in the grandeur and
glory of the general achievement, Of a
nation redeemed, regenerated and dis
enthrallcd."
We cannot close this article better,
than by inserting, here, the order above
referred to, 1t is gem of the purest
water, aud contains the very essence of
the great principles Of American liberty.
1t will DO remembered that at the
time General Hancock was appointed to
this position, Congress had parcelled
out the South into number Of military
despotisms, based upon the assumption
that the people of that section Of the
Union had forfeited their constitutional
liberties, and had no longer any civil
rights which military satrap was bound
to respect. But when General Hancock
assumed personal command of his mill.
tary province, his first act was to issue
an official order from his headquarters
at New Orleans, proclaimiug that the
Constitution had survipea the ,ear, and
was still the rightfia inheritdnce Of all
the people. This noble document is in
the following words
GENERAL OaDERs
No. 40.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH MILITARY DIsrRIcr,l
New ORLEANS, La, Nov. 20, 1867. !
1. In accordance with general orders No. 81,
Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant General 4
Office, Washington, ID. c., August 27th, 1867,
| Major-General W. \. Hancock hereby assumes
command of the Fifth Military District, and OF
the Department composed of the States of Lou
isiana and Texas.
\ IL. The General Commanding is gratificd to
learn that peace and quiet reign in this Depart
ment. 1t will be bis purpose to preserve this
condition of things. As a means to this great
| end he regards the maintenance of the civil
authorities in the faithful execution OF the laws
as the most efficient under existing circumstan-
| ces.
| In war it is indispensable to repe, force by
force, and overthrow and destroy opposition to
lawful authority. But when insurrectiouary
| force has been oyei thrown and peace establish
ed, aud the civh authorities are ready and ceiling
to perform their duties, the MILITARY POWER
SHOULD CEASE TO LEAD, and the civil ad-
| ministration resume its natural and rightful do
minion. SoleHaly Impressed eiik these rieics,
the General announces that THE GREAT
PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN LIBERTY
ARE STILL THE LAWFUL INHERITANCE
OF THIS PEOPLE, AND EVER SHOULD
BE. The right of trial by jury, the habeas
corpus, the liberty Of the press, the freedom OF
speech, the natural rights Of persons, and the
rights Of property must be preserved.
| Free institutions, while they are essential to
the prosperity and happiness Of the people,
always furnish the strongest inducements to
peace and order. Grimes and offences com
mitted in this district must Be referred 10 the
confederation aad Judgement Of tie regular
| CIVIL tribunals, and those tribunals will be
supported in their lawful Jurisdiction.
Should there be violations OF existing laws
which are not inquired into BY the civil mag
istraies, or shouid failures in the administra-
ton Of justice by the courts be complained of,
the cases viii be reported to these headquar-
tiers, when such orders will be made as may be
deemed necessary.
While the General thus indicates his pur-
pose TO respect the liberties Of tae people, he
wishes all 10 understand that armed insurrec-
ticn OF fprcible resistance to the law will be
Instantly suppressed by arms.
| BY command of Major. General W. s. Han
cock.