The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-08-07
HAEUoOK's LETTER TO SHERMAN
A Letter Full of Sound Opinions, Instead
Of Breathing Treason.

The following is the letter from Gen. Han
cock to Gen. Sherman, during the exciting
and uncertain days of 1876, which the Re.
publican press has clamored for the publira.
ton Of, and which they intimated was tine.
tured with treason:
"Crrshdo'd y o.. T. Loslis, Dee. II, is76-My Dear
General Your favor OF the ith instant reached me
in New York the 9Th the day before len for the
West intended TO reply 10 1t before leaving but
eares Incident 10 departure inerierd. Then again'
since my arrival here have been so occupied with
personal Affairs ola business nature that have de-
ierred writing nom day to day until this moment
and now End myself in deb, TO you another letter
In Acknowledgement Of your favor Of the 18th, re-
ceived a few days since.
Il have concluded to leave here on the 2sth TO.
morrow +. NJ, 30 that may be expected In New
York on the 3lst instant II has been cold and
drcary since my arrival here. have worked "lihe
Turk q presume that means hard work. ia the
country. In making fences cutting down truts, re-
pairing buildings, etc. aud avn 1t least able 10 say
that 81 Louis Is the coolest place In the winter and
it is the hottest place In the summer OF any that
have encountered la u temperate zone. / have
known 81. Louis ia December to have genial wealth.
or throughout the month"; this December has been
irgid. aud the river has been frozen more solid than
have ever known Il.
When heard the rumor that was ordered to
the Pacific coast thought It probably true consid-
ering the past discussion ON that subject The pos.
sibilities seemed to me to point that way. Had Il
been true / should, OF coursc, have presented no
complaint nor made resistance OF any kind Iwould
have gone quickly, If not prepared to go promptly.
certainly would have been relieved from the re.
sponsibilies and anxIetics concerning presidential
matters which may Gall TO those near the throne OF
in authority within the four months. as well as
from other incidents or natter which could not
control. and the action concerning which might
not approve. was not exactly prepared To 90 70
the Pacific, however. and Therefore felt relieved
when received your note Informing me that theru
was no truth In the rnmOrs, Then did not wish tu
appear 10 be escaping from responsibilities and pos
sible dangers which may cluster around military
commanders In The Fast, especially In the critical
period fast approaching AIS well that ends well
The whole matter oftbe presidency seems to me to
be simple and TO admit of peaceful solution This
machinery ior such a contingency as threatens to
present Itself has been al carefully prepared II
only requires fabrication owing TO disuse The
army should have nothing 10 do with tl,e election
or Inauguration OF Presidents The people elect the
President The Congress declares In Joint session
who he Is. We Of the army have only to obey bis
mandates and are protected IN 80 doing only 20 far
as they may he lawful Our commissions express
that. like lefiersons way Of Inauguration st suits
system. He rode alone horseback to the Cap
itol, a fear ii the "old Capitol,) tied his horse
to a rail- fence, entered and was duly sworn then
rode TO the Executive Mansion and took possession.
He inaugurated himself simply by taking the oath
OF office There Is no other legal inaus uration in
system. The people politicians may institute
parades ia honor Of the event aud public officials
may add to the pageant by assembling troops and
banners, but all that only comes properly after The
inaugurAtion-not beforehand II Is not part OF IL
Our system does not provide that one President
should iuaugurate another There might be danger
in that and It was siudiousy ef out Of the charter
But you are placed Ia an exceptionally important
position In connection with coming cvents. The
capitol is in my jurisdiction also but am subor.
dinate and not on the SPOT, aud II were so also
would 30 my superior in authority for there Is the
station Of the general in-ehiel On the prlnciple
that regularly elected Presidents term OF Office
expires with the Sd Of March. (of which have not
the slightest doubt and which the laws bearing ou
the subject uniformly recognize and ia eonsidera.
ton OF the possibility thar the lawfully elected
President may not appear until the 9Th Of March,
great deal Of responsibility may necessarily fall upon
you. You viii have power aud prestige 10 support
YOU The Secretary Of War too, probably holds
over but ifno President appoars he may not be able
10 exercise functions in the nRmc Of President for
his proper acts are those OF known superior law
full President You act on your own responsibility,
and by virtue Of a commission, duly restricted BIZ
the law, The Secretary Of War Is the mouthpiece Of
President You are NOT. Ifneither candidate has
constitutional majority Of the electoral coIiegc or
the Senate and House on the occasion Of the count
do not unitein declaring person legally elected
BY the people, there Is lawful machinery already
provided 10 meet that contingency and decide the
question peacefully. II has not been recently used
no occasion presenting ITSELF but our forelathers
provided t. Il has been exercised and has been
recognized and submitted o as lawful ON every
hand. That machinery would probably elect Mr..
rilden President and Mt. Wheeler Vice President
That would be right enough, for the law provides
that in failure elect duly by the people the House
shall Immediately elect the President and the Sen.
ale The Vice-Frcsident Some tribunal must decide
whether The people have duly elected a President
presume, Of course that II Is IN the join, aiirma
tive action of The Senate and the House or why are
they Iyesent 70 witness the count II NOT 70 see that
Is tar and Just Ifa failure to agree arises between
the two bodies there be no lawful aar1natsvede
eisiOn that the people have elected President and
'he fi"-t must thett procetd 70 act not the senate
The Senate elects Nice-Prcsidents not Presidents
Doubtless IN Gaze Of failure by the House to elect
Fresident By the llh Of March The President of the
senate Nf there b onel would be the legitimate =.
son 70 exercise presidential authority for IN, a le
being OF uutii the Appearance ofa lawful Prsidcn,
or for the time laid down ia the constitution such
eourses would be peaceful. and have hrin belief
lawful. have no doubt Gov. Hayes would mako
an excellent President have met him and know
fhim- Ior brief period he served under my
command, but As the matter stands can't see any
likelihood Of his bclag duly declared elected hy he
people unless the senate and House come 70 be In
accord "a q that fact aud The IIons would ofcoufse
not Otherwise elect him.
what the people wan; + peaceful determine.
ton Of shs matter, as fair determination - posi-.
Bile and lawful one. 10 other determination could
stand the test The csantiy limo, plunged illiorey
olntion, would bekome poorer day By day. business
would iangHish and our bonds would come home
. find a dcpFcciased market wss nos ID favor a.
the military action IN south carolna recently. and