The daily gazette., 1879-11-15
FIRST EDITION.
GENERAL HANCOCK.

THE BRAVE PRIEST WHO sHRIvED MRS. |
sURRATT BEARS WITNESS TO HIS JUST |
AND GENTLE BEARING-A WICKED |
INVENTION BLOWN TO THE WINDS by
DOZEN HONEST WORDS.
WAsHINGToN, November 13.-The
mention OF General IIancock's name in
connection with the Presidential nomi-
nation has led, as his friends supposed it
would lead, to spiteful outcroppings
over the hanging of Mrs. Surrait, an al
fair which his official position just after
the war compelled him to direct. A few
days ago, IN the indianapolis Journal ,an
interview was printed about General
Hancock, of which the following is part:
"The Democrats can't nominate Gen
eral Hancock" said Catholic priest to
me the other day, in response to my ex-
preston of opinion.
"Why nOt?" | asked.
"Becau,e," he said, d,with much feeling,
che hanged Mrs. Surratt without cause,
and prosecuted her for her religion"
81 don't see how he hanged her." said
1, "more than General Holt, who was
Judge Advocate, or Stanton, who was
Secretary Of War, or Andy johnson, who
was President"
"Hancock," exclaimed the priest, chad
her immediate custody, and he absolute
ly refused to let her see her clergyman,
or any clergyman of her Church af er she
was sentenced. He did all he could to
send the woman TO y; but no doubt
her earnest request for clergy was pa ,sed
to her credit In the books beyond the
sky"
81 never heard of that" said.
swell, Catholics have" said the priest,
"and II Hancock should arise and have
the impudence to ask for Catholic votes,
they would bury him under their indig-
nation"
The above extract appeared in the
Post of this city this morning. The re-
porter OF the World called upon Rev.
Father Walter, of st. Patrick's Church,
with this interview. lie was Mrs. Sur
rats adviser, and he il was whom Cen
eral Hancock was credited with having
consulted. Father Walter is tall,
square-shouldered man, with enough fire
in his face and vgor in his movements to
make one almost wish that he and Cen
eral Hancock could put on the gloves to-
gether, they are so nearly matched.
81 am glad you came" he said, "fOr
this isn't the first Of these filings at Cen
eral Hancock. | have blamed myself
often for not declaring the truth in the
matter, for am the only one that should
tell il, so far as il concerns myself. Yet,
being a pi lest, have felt bound to hold
my peace. Besides so far no tangible
harm has resulted from silence. For
some weeks back though l have seen
that circumstances might arise which
should change my determination this
attack seems 10 me TO call for the kind
of response that will make such objec-
iions to General Hancock impossible in
the future. That is what said to-day
to Bishop Keane, of Richmond, when |
informed him that had about decided
to brand all such stories as false over my
own signature"
"Would you object TO dong it now ?''
the reporter asked.
"Not at all" Father Walter replied,
and seating himself at table he wrote
this denial.
Truth and Justice compel me to deny
the statement with reference to General
Hancock'a participation in tho execa
tion of Mrs. SuIratt, which appeared In
the Washington Post OF this morning.
attended Mrs. Surratt on that occasion
and met with no interference on the part
had great sympathy for this unfortunate
, lady and waited until the last moment
hoping for a reprieve. l consider 1t an
act of Iustce to General Hancock tha
this statement should be mado.
lSipned) j. A. WALTER.
Pastor OF st. Patrick's Church, Wash
g ingt6on. Aha s.s, ..,,anan,
have made for the public In all thes
years." Father Walter said "A trities sadly
$ ~ hope it may be the means of enoug
Y good to compensate for all the harm tina
a these stories have done.''
An assertion made to-day by an eS
a army officer was abudantly corroborate
= In the War Department that so strong
was General Hancock's hope for re
l- prieve for Mrs. Surratt that on the da
of the execution he stationed RELAYS G
cavalry along the streets from tine w MI
.. House to the Arsenal. that no della
q might ensue in communicating the fac
" In the Arsenal are photographs OF I'll
, scaffold at the time of the execution
y They show Father Walter at Mrs. SUI
ii rats side.