Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1880-10-06
Interesting Political Correspondence
Made Public.
In Which General Grant and General
Hancock are Made to Figure.
POLITICAL.
Hancock interviewed.

Hancock Interviewed
New York, Oct GA Telegram report
er to-day interviewed Gen. Hancock in
reference to the recent opinions EXPIRE 81.
cd by Gen. Grant.
Has he actually said he confined him
self to what may be called hearsay evil
dence?
l have read what has been attributed
to him rs his utteranccs in newspapers.
Now l shall take pans to ascertain from
authoritive source just what Gen. Grant
has said about me.
Will you apply to him personally for
information?
That would be the best course to pur-
sue, suppose. mean to get ut the
truth.
II you find the ex-president has
really made assertions derogatory
to your character will you reply If
Gen. Grant has attacked your character? :?
In the first place he lacked good
grounds upon which to attack me. And
in the second place, he is IN old soldier,
agraduate of West Point. As such he
could not, it seems to me, so far step
over the bounds OF truth and gentleman
ly propriety us to attempt to iniure me
even in private conversation.
Then [ am to understand if General
Grant assailed your character, as repor-
ted, you will make q general denial.
will certainly deny everything un-
true. After have sifted the matter to
the bottom and if I decide to reply, 7
will prepare careful and comprehensive
statement for publication.
How long will it be required for you
to hear personally from Gen. Grant in
this matter?
cannot say, but shall lose no more
time than can help in getting at the
bottom Of the matter.
New York, Oct. 6.-Col. Duncan fur
nishes the Herald two letters from Gen.
Hancock, wdich he says were never be-
fore shown any body or published. The
first letter is dated Oct. 29,1S79, and is as
follows:
My Dear Colonel received to-day
your favor of the 25th and was much in.
terested in your resume of the working
of the political cauldron. I have ALWAYS
been Of the opinion and am so still, that
until the democratic party has disposed
OF the question as to whether they would
nominate Tilden as sequence
Of past events, it was fully inside that
organization toadvance other candidates,
Their availability for the future was Il
question of importance and interest. I
have no part in any programme looking
to the future. My name comes uD
through. friends and foes, yet now Of no
machinery in the interest Of nomination.
seen in public opinion to be put forth
as the exponent OF certain political avail
vble possibilities and would be better
pleased if permitted to pursue the even
tenor of my way, untouched by po-
litical excitement. I do not wish
to be considered chronic candi.
date, for [ know what that means
when the end comes. So, my true friends,
let the matter rest, if not let it drift,
. The next election is to be momentous
one. What may come out of it, good or
bad, do not know, but am certain I
cannot assist in leading to good result
more certainly than by following the
quiet course I have always endeavored tc
pursue. II come in question in poll
tics, it will have to be from the states
and the people, not from me.
am very truly yours.
Very singularly, writes Col. Duncan
there came to me about the same day d
letter from one OF the most promi
nent greenbackers, whose name and that
OF others concerned, will not mention
They are supporters of Weaver in plnl
to aid in the election of Garfield. The
letter was marked confidential, anc
deted Oct. %, 1873. It reads:
Colonel Blanton Duncan MY DEAL
SIR:-For some time past blanl
and myself have been talking owe
aplan to elect General Hancock presi
pent of the United States. Our plan i
that you write to Gen. Hancock and i
he responds with the right views on fl
nancial and labor queitions, that we the
decide to call national convention an,
nominate Hancock for president an,
some ex-confederate for vice presiden
and it will force the democrats 90 NEE
and nominate the same ticket; You
plan OF calling both demo
cratic and national convention
the same day will not wor
and will give large amount of on
party an excuse to say it was politict
trade, while my plan is one that a larp
majority of our party will endorse.
hope you will agree on the plan and hay
conference with Gen. Hancock on I'll
ubject.
The above was received from prom
nent greenbacker and by Col. Dunca
forwarded with recommendatio
to General Hancock not
make any reply to it. However he wrot
me us follows, confidentially:
November, 1879.-My Dear Colonel
Your note has been received. 1 do nj
occupy the position of political cand
date to express any opinion. 1 am
soldier in the federal service and my us
fulness rs such as commander woul
be impaired if should take up ope
grounds in favor Of the political views
Of any party. If l am ever the candidat
OF q party for n civil Office it will be q
the record I have made.
should never make any bi
for such an office. If I were nom
mated by q party would be governe
by its platform or would not acce]
the nomination. Therefore shall pli
sue the even tenor of my way undistur
ed by the ambitions which pursue son
people.
I am very truly yours,
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK.
Grant and Hancock
Chicago, Oct. 6.-Gen. Grant, in {
interview. affirms the general cOrrectne