New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-24
A CANDID CONFESSION.

TTOm many AoAaOo4o0sS 9~@A So>S w W.
the name of General Hancock, United
States army, recommended as the Demo-
cratic nominee for the presidency. 1t
is not our custom to look into the record
Of an antagonist for opportunities OF
obloquy, and We will say of this Unioh
soldier, that they are not to be found IN
the military career Of General Hancock,
even under the most microscopic scrutiny.
He was educated at West Point, and has
illustrated the wisdom Of q national
education by gallant services in the
Mexican war, as in that Of "the re-
bellion of the seeding States," as
it is called by his biographer. He
was in the head and front Of the Union
service from the defense of Washington
in 1s61-62, through some of the blood
lest battles of every campaign. He was
severely wounded in the repulse OF
Longstreet's attack upon our left centre,
which he at that time commanded. he
fought along the whole line under Cen
eral Grant, from the Wilderness to the in
vestment of Richmond and Petersburg;
was absent temporarily for the breaking
out of his Gettysburg wound, and for these
glorious military services was breveted
Major General, United States army, ''for
gallant and meritorious services in the
battle of Spottsylvania. "
General Hancock has never been in
representative or civil life at all, nor are
his opinions known upon any Of the ques-
tons which have hitherto divided the po-
litical parties of the Union. Upon one
point we may consider him supereminently
sound. It is that he considered the Sc
ceding States in rebellion against the
Union. The doctrine of State rights as
advocated by Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Hun
ter is, then, renowned by those Democrats
who demand the nomination of General
Hancock. We know that two other sue
cessful Generals who have never seen
civil service have been promoted to the
and submit the pretensions of
General Hancock to that tribunal which
can alone determine our future rulers. His
would not suit US, because we
stand by the decisions which have cost SO
much to establish. We can risk nothing
and shall prefer to support .
Union soldier whose record is unexcep-
who comprehends the issues be-
fore the country, and brings legislative
and executive experience to execute the
great principles established in the defeat
Of what the biographer Of General Han
cock has called the rebellion Of the Sc
ceding States"
Among those most solicitous for the
of General Hancock seems to
be Hon. E. J. Ellis. He says:
It would be madness and folly to oninste
any man whose loyalty and devotion to
the Union and the war policy Of the North
during the war, needs any argument, apOl-
Ogy or explanation.
Platforms, resolutions and protestations
of principle will not meet and defest this
The Northern people de nand 9
more perfect guarantee. ls it Bsyard!
Thurmanl Hendricksa These distinguish
ed gentlemen-allo of them able, wiee and pa
ante-belium Democrats, and
more or less identified with the peace wing Of
the Democratic party during the war. The
Of either one would raise the
howl Of treason, Copperheadism, and would
be pointed at as GROWING proof OF the at
tempt of the South and the Democratic
party to undo the results of the war. If
by piece of folly like this the Democratic
party allows itself to be borne back to old
war issues and sectional antagonlsm, it will
be beaten finally and forever.
We agree perfectly in this, and are
gratifed that the schooling of single
session at Washington has thus convinced
q gentleman who used to think that the
woes of Louisiana constituted most i'm
portant agency for reversing Northern
opinion.
Mr.. Ellis then recommends General
Hancock as the panacea for this trouble,
aud his name the entry upon which the
Democracy of the South should plank all
its bets. He says:
Hancock is the incarnation of "uhe war
for the Union idea," for he fought and bled
upon its most eventful fields.
We have always noted quality in the
Southern Democracy which differs from
any chivalry Of which We have ever read.
We allude to its extreme indiscretion in
its points by concealing its prin-
ciples.
Northern prejudice is, in the opinion Of
Mr.. Ellis, coiled serpent, whom ''the
of General Hancock would
Lull to eternal slumber." So slumbering,
the Southern Democracy would creep into
power, under the auspices Of military
nominee. Then Mr.. Ellis explains where
the Democratic reward comes in.
He has just told US that the Democracy
do not dare to nominate Bayard, Thurman
or Hendricks He incautiously tells
is that upon the election Of Hancock
His clear head, his honest heart, would
be able, guided and directed by the Thur
mans. the Bsyards and tho Hendricks,
whom his good judgment would call into
his Cabinet, to make his administration one
If signal and exceptional brillisnce.
So that while these prime ministers are
concealed during the election, they will
oe sent into the Cabinet of President
to illustrate his administration.
These statesmen are objected to by the
American people because Of their opin-
ons. Hon. Mr.. Ellis proposes to obtain