The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-01-05
Gen. Hancock on the Civil Power,

NA~"~-
cock sitting on the Babcock court OF
inquiry, to the effect that by the
Federal Constitution the military is
subordinate to the civil power. His
translation Of the effect Of that in
strumcnt into q concise formula is
ereditable to his patriotism and hon
orable to his profession. 1t is the
civil power which alone can screate
and support armies,'' and "make
rules" for their government. 1t is
the civil power wllicl, has made such
rules in the ARTICLES of War" I.
is the civil power which has given,
and which can take away, the juris.
diction of military courts. No per
son can be tried by a military court
unless 'one who has voluntarily sur
rendered himself thereto by entering
into the army, or unless by insurrec-
ton or rebellion civil courts are
closed. General Hancock expresses
with admirable force IKE idea that,
while military courts are as lawful
courts, within the limits conferred
by the civil power as any other
courts, and military law is, within
its limits, as precise and solid as any
other law, yet due Difference to the
spirit Of our institutions, and to the
civil authority, suggests that the
court on Babcock suspend its inqui-
ry for further orders from the Pfesi
dent in presence Of the Indictment in
St. Louis. TITS not only the thing
which General Babcock did, but the
sensitiyeness about coming in con
fiict with civil court prompting him
to do it suddenly and instantly,
which is so commcndable. And yet
his reasons are as good as either Of
theses With him evidently, tits the
part Of san officer and a gentleman
to obey she spirit as we'll as letter of
the laws Of the land. With him the
army1is no sanctuary for defiance of
the civil power. Babcock, rs Gene
raj Hancock quickly saw, las com
mittea two oaenses If he conspired
against the wlliskcy tax-one1 that
for which he is indicted, and the
other for unbecon,ing conduct as an
officer: and that the army, though
first in order of time, should yield to
the civil courts before the service on
Babcock Of the warrant Of the civil
court under the Indictment created
any possible conflict.
Possibly under the order of the
President the army court could have
maintained its jurisdiction Of the
|self.accused till its inquiry was com.
pleted, but General Hancock rightly
preferred to aid "the people, who
through a grand jury, complained
that Babcock had committed a crime
against Che nation, as we'll as in the
army. 7 Sss4
We repeat that the quick action Of
General Hancock is creditable to the
army and to himself.-N Y. World
| WHAT / HAVE SEEN.-An old man
| Of experience says: 10 /
i have seen a. young man sell d
good farm, turn merchant, and die. in
an insane asylum. s. ns
have seen a farmer travel about
SO much that there was nothing at
home worth looking ate;
/ have seen man spend more
inoneyin folly than would support
his family III comfort and independi
ence. 3'','f: Z isA,' -
have seen d young girl marry q
Young man Of dissolute habits, and
repent of it as long as she lived.
| have seen a man turn from truth
where candor and veracity would
have served him to a much better
purpose.
| have seen the extravaganza and
folly Of children bring their parents
to ,poverty and want, and themselves
to disgrace.
l have seen a prudent and indus
trious wife retrieve the fortunes of q
family when the husband pulled at
the other end Of the rope.
Ihave seen young man who des-
pissed the counsels Of the wise and
advice Of the good, and his career
end in poverty and Indebtedness.
"1s Henry Ward Beecher guilty Of
adultery9' and "Is Henry Ward
Beecher guilty Of perury2' are two
|conundrums which Brother West
bangles TN the outer walls like &
bunch Of ripe grapes, and the sight
of them doesn't make Brother. Shear