The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-11-20
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 4
Dozen Honest Words.

Washington, Nov. 19-The mention OF General
HancOcks name in connection with the Presi'
dental nominau has led, as his friends sup
posed 1t would lead, to spiteful outcroppings
over the hanging OF Mrs surratt an affair which
his official position jus. after the war compelled
him to direct, A few days ago in the Indianapo'
lis Journal an interview was printed about Gen.
Hancock, on which the following is part:
"The Democrats can't nominate Gen. Han.
cock" said a Catholic Priest to me the other day,
in response to my expression Of opinion.
why not T. l asked.
Because he taid with much feeling, "he
hauSed Mrs, Surratt without cause and perseCut.
ed her for her religion"
IL don't see how ne hanged her" said l. more
than Gen. Holt, who was Judge Advocate, or
Stanton, who was Secretary Of War, or Andy
Johnson, who was President"
Hancock" exclaimed the priest, "had her
imme edlate custody, and he absolutely relui ed 10
let her see her clergyman, or any clergyman Of
her church, alter sue was sentenced. He did all
he could 10 send the woman TO i; but no
doubt her earnest request for clergy was passed
to her credit in the books beyond the Sky"
"l never heard OF that said.
well, Cath lies have" said the priest, land If
Hancock shOHld arise and have the impuoence
To ask for Catholic votes, they would bury him
under their indignation"
The above extract appeared in the Post OF this
city this morning, The reporter of the WORLD
called upon Rev. Father Walter of st. Patrick Is
church, with this interview. He was Mrs. Sur.
rats adviser, and he 1t was whom Gen. Han.
COCK was credited with having insulted. Father
Walter is q tall, square shouldered man, with
enough FIRE in his lace and vigor In his move.
ments to make one almost wish that he and Gen
Hancock could put on the gloves together they
are so nearly watched.
II am glad you came" he said, "fOr this isn't
the first Of these hyOgs ut Gen Hancock. / have
blamed myself often for not declaring the truth
in the matter, for l am the only one that should
tell 1t, so far as 1t concerns myself Yet, being
priest, have felt bound to hold my peace. Be
sides so far no tangible harm has resulted from
silence. For some weeks back though have
seen that circumstances might arise which should
change my determination, this attack seems to
me to call for the kind Of response that will
make such objections to Gen Hancock mpOssi
BILE 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 doing 1t now2' the re,
porter asked.
mot at ALL" Father Walter replied, and seat
ing himself at a table he wrote this denisl
Truth and justice compel me to deny the state
ment with reference to Gen. HaneOck's participa.
ton In the execution OF Mrs. Surrsll, which ap
peared in the Washington Post OF this morning
attended Mrs Surratt on that occasion and met
with no interference on the part of Gen. Han.
cock. Gen. Hancock had great sympathy for
the unfortunate lady and waited until the last
moment, hoping for reprieve. | consider 1t all
act of Justice 10 Gen. Hancock that this statement
| should be made. (Signed) IA. WALTER
Pastor of st. PatriCk's Church, Washington.
"There. That is the hrst staten ent have
made for the public in all these years" Father
Walter said, triae sadly. II hope it may be the
means of enough good to compensate for all the
harm that these stories have done"
An assertion made to day by an ex-army officer
was abundantly CorrobOrated in the War De,
partment that so strong was Gen. Hancock's
hope Tor a replieve for Mrs. surratt that on the
day Of the execution he stationed relays of cav.
airy along the streets from the White House to the
Arsenal, that no delay might ensue In communi.
eating the fact In the Arsenal are photographs
OF the seatfuld at the time of the execution.
They show Father Walter at Mrs Surratts side.