The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-23

1 DAYS OF MS Can0lQaCy. ne ~ Chdi So,s
also with the use OF money and ''adver-
| opinion Of his strength nor have seen
| the charge denied from any source.
| Besides all this he cannot unite the
| Democracy OF the West. II the opiH-
| ions Of leading and able Democrats from
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois are to be
trusted--and ] have carefully sought
the views Of many OF these-his nomI-
nation would almost disband the De-
mocracy Of these three States. Can we
afford this? Can we afford to encounter
the morale OF tremendous defeats In the
October elections OF two great States?
Can we afford the loss Of twenty Demo
afford to let the battle SO relax in these
three States of the West that Republi-
can money and influence and oratory
may be Withdrawn from them and
poured into the trembling balance OF
doubtful States?
II Tilden, then, will not come up to
the required standard, will Gov. Hen
bricks. the pure and able statesman OF
Indiana; or will Senator Bayard, who
is to-day the fearless, flaming sword OF
the Constitution, the man more beloved
than any other OF our leaders Tor the
shining Qualities Of his brain and heart?
these gentlemen that were made against
Judge Thurman. Gov. Hendricks will
meet with strenuous opposition in the
East and, particularly in New York
(which we must carry in order to achieve
victory, because OF his uncertain views
upon the financial question and OF sup
posed sympathy with the imitation dog
mas Of Western politicians.
Senator Bayard is Southern, and his
supposed intense sympathy with South
ern history, views and ideas would sub
.ject him to the charge of copperhead-
ism, notwithstanding his patriotic re-
cord, his stainless name and his brilliant
career.
1 do not regard the candidacy Of ex-
Gov. Allen as serious, or more than a
poultice for the sorehead he received
last year at the hands OF Gov. Hayes,
and therefore / pass him as not on the
list OF real candidates.
In recounting the objections that are
made and will be made to the distin-
guished gentlemen have named, am
far from endorsing or asserting them as
true. They are all honored men, with
nerve and brain and patriotism enough
to fill with honor the highest position
Americans can bestow. But recall
these charges and objections to impress
the idea that with either one Of them at
the head of the Democratic column. we
will be on the defensive, from the outset
to the close OF the campaign. A defen-
sive campaign now means defeat.
Our campaign must be aggressive.
With leader blameless and unassail
able. for whom no word OF defense or
apology is needed, with an honest plat
form, 1--WE must advance and give our
enemies the bayonet;" must charge
home upon them their crimes and their
infamies, and we will sweep the field
and save the country.
In my humble judgment, the man
who Is unassailed and unassailable;
whose very name Is the guarantee OF
brilliant and complete victory. who,
uEites in himself all the requisites OF
available candidacy, is that splendid
soldier, and yet more splendid civilian,
WINFIELD 8. HANCOCK.
His brilliant military career, the blood
he shed in defense OF the Union, the
scars he wears to-day, will drown the
lying croak of treason" rebellion"
war issues" which is the sole argument
OF the Republican party. and their sole
weapon And what more can they say
against our bruised and broken, and be-
loved South, il she comes up now Solidly
noblest and most constant foe in war
What shadow can they throw upon
Southern sincerity, IL she rallies her
sons under the banners of him who gave
her the hardest. bravest blows in war
But, say the politicians, he is q s'mere
military man." What / say, without
fear OF successful contradiction, that his
career as q civic ruler, though brief, was
more successful and more brilliant than
that of any other man mentioned now
In connection with the Presidency. /
assert that no living American has de-
veloped clearer conception Of the
more perfectly zen rapport" with the
spirit OF our Constitution than this
"mere military man." You well remem-
Der, and SO do /, the first order OF this
s'mere military man" when he assumed
command-cOmmand absolute, ,despotic,
irresponsible-of the Fifth Military Dis
trict. The reconstruction act had been
passed supending civil authority, de-
claring. martial law, suspending the
habeas corpns and jury trials, and in
vesting the Commanding Generals with
imperial powers. 1t was q dark hour
for the people OF the South. We seemed
night Of our woe was filled with rolling
drums and tramping soldiers and
changing sabres. Sheridan and Mower
had ruled over US. Then Hancock came,
and lol upon our famished ears and
hearts fell the utterances Of the
first order Of this ''mere military
man." I'm war it Is indispensable
to repel force by force, and overthrow
and destroy opposition'to lawful author
ity. But when insurrectionary force
has been overthrown and peace estab-
lished, and the civil authorities are
ready and willing to perform their
duties, the military power mus. cease to
lead and the civil administration resume
its natural and rightful dominion
impressed with these views,
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"
BY the hand Of this military man