The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-09-11
General Hancock and Order No. 40.


The fame of General Hancock as a
soldier is secure. Now and then, it is
true, some Republican pole-cat exer-
cises its powers of proclamation, hut with
out avail. In the list of the world s
great Captains, the name of Hancock
will be forever illustrious. Whether in
camp, on the march, or in the fierce
shock of battle, he was always the same
self-poised, self-sustained man. No
matter what the ordeal, he met and
passed it with a courage that COM
manded the applause of all who were
capable of approaching valor. "Napo-
leon at the passage of Lodi, at Arcola,
when he stood with the standard in his
hand midst tempest of balls and grape
shot, and at Wagram, where he rode on
his white steed before his shivering
lines" did not show more dauntless
courage than Hancock in battles in
which he led the armies of the Union to
victory. 1t is easy to underrate milf
tary genius, to assign it low rank
when classifying the elements of true
greatness. 1t is easy to assume that
great soldier is only a great soldier, and
that his highest enjoyments are in camp
or in battle, surrounded with carnage.
General Hancock does not belong to that
class. He is not more soldier than he
is a civilian. If he has studied thor
oughly the science of war, he has mas
tered as completely the Constitution
and the science of civil government,
and hence his triumphs in defending
the rights of the people with his
pen have been as grand as
his triumphs when at Gettys-
burg, in the Wilderness and on other
battle-fields he commended for the
rights of the people with his sword.
His fame as a statesman is as bright as
his fame as soldier. Indeed, the les
sons to be drawn from his triumphs in
New Orleans will shine with fadeless
luster when wars and rumors of wars
shall cease to disturb the Nations of the
earth Nothing can be of more i'm
portance to the American people than
to have perfect knowledge of General
Hancock's triumphs of craftsmanship
in Louisiana. The Constitution declares
that:
1.-THE privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus shall not be suspended. unless
when in cases of rebellion or invasion
the public safety may require it.
1.-The trial of all crimes, except in
cases of impeachment, shall be by jury.
Congress shall make no law abridg-
ing the freedom of speech or of the
press"
Such is the language Of the Constitu-
tion-guaranteeing to the people of the
United States their liberties. General
as military commander, was
clothed with almost absolute power.
The supreme moment had arrived to
test his patriotism, his craftsmanship |
and his loyalty to the Constitution Of |
his country. Two sovereign States
were under his military heel, if he so |
elected. The lives, property and lib
erty of thousands of his fellow citizens
we're at his mercy. If he faltered, he
Tell. If he thirsted for power the
tempting cup was within his reach, brim-
'ull. Under such circumstances he
ssued the famous order. No. 40, as fol-
ows:
General Orders, No. 40.l
FIFTH MILITARY DISTRICT
NEW ORLEANS, La, Nov. % 1857. |
l. In accordance with general orders No. 81,
headquarters OF the Army, Adjutant Gener-
aajorGeneral w Hapco o heqshy ss q: as:
command of the Fifth Military District, and of
he Department composed of the States of
louisiana and Texas.
2. The General commanding is gratified to
earn that peace and quiet reign in this De-
,artment. 1t will be his purpose to preserve
his condition of things. As means to this
'reat end he regards the maintenance of the
ivil authorities in the faithful execution of
ne laws as the most efficient under existing
In war it is Indispensable to repel force by
orce, and overthrow and destroy opposition
o lawful authority. But when insurrection-
ry force has been overthrown and peace es-
ablished, and the civil authorities are ready
nd willing to perform their duties the milf
airy power should cease to lead, and the civil
resume its natural and right
~ dominion. Solemnly impressed with these
rinciples of American liberty are still the law
ul inheritance of this people, and ever should
e. Ihs risNkSf tr 5gjay ne heeeas corpus
dturdl rights of persons, and the ri0hs of pyDr,-
rfy must be preserved.
Free institutions. while they are essential to
ne prosperity and happiness of the people, al
avs furnish the strongest Inducements to
eace and order. Grimes and Offenscs COM
lifted in this District must be referred to the ,
onsideration and Judgment of the regular
vil tribunals, and those tribunals win be SUD-
orted in their lawful Jurisdiction
Should there be violations of existing laws I
hiSn uIc MOI luqu1rcu INTO Dy the CIVIL maQi9- ,
ates, or should failures in the administration |
justice by the Courts be complained of, the [
Uses will be reported to these headquarters. ,
men SUCH orders will be made as may be
ecmed necessary.
While the General thus indicates his pur- ,
ose to respect the liberties of the people, he
ishes all to understand that armed insurrec-
on or forcible resistance to the law will be | I
stantly suppressed by arms. In
BY command of
MAJoR-GENERAL w. 8. HANCOCK. '
Every subsequent order issued BY {
eneral Hancock, while in command of j
and Texas, breathed the I
me spirit that has made Order No. 40 '
NOUS, and for this fidelity to the Con- c
tuition the Republican party sought q
disgrace him, and did finally remove 4
m. Such triumphs enraged the Re- 4
iblican party. They gave the people Q
cir constitutional rights; they were @
not only of exalted patriot \
m, but of the highest order of states {