The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-08-13
A VOICE FROM THE WEST.



He 10 Nos OAlyIa Brave Soldier and
Good Man, Duf One Of tho Wisest
Statesmen eF the TIrae,
WASHINGTON, August S.-Ths follow
ing is made public to-day by Mr.. Harvey {:
BLooN1NeToN, liz, August 4.
MY DEAR SIR 1: The trAining and habits
of my life naturally lead me to prefer civ
ilians to soldiers for great civil trusts, but
as parties are organized voters must
choose between the candidates they pre-
sent or stand aloof-indifferent or neutral.
which no good citizen ought to do at q
Presidential election. have no heslta-
tion in supporting General Hancock, for
the best of all reasons 10 my mind, be-
cause his election will put an end to Sec
tional strife and to sectional parties, and
will revive the patriotic sentiment all
over the land, which political leaders and
factions for sinister eRds have sought to
prevent. There can be mo permanent
prosperity without pacification.
Great as were the achievements of Gen.
Hancock in war, his conduct in peace
when in command Of Louisiana and Texas
in 1867 was still greater, and justly COM
mends him to the confidence of the coun-
try. That was time when passion ruled
in public councils, and military power
was exerted to silence civil authority.
The temptation was. strong to sail with
the rushing current, for an inflamed par
tisan opinion was too ready to condone
excuses and applaud oppression.
General Hancock's Order No. 40, in
assuming charge of the Fifth Military
District, announced that the right of trial
by jury, the hGbeGs corpus, the liberty of
the press, freedom of speech, the natural
rights of persons, and the rights of prop
erty, must be respected. These princi-
pies are the basis of free government, and
the proclamation of them by Gen. Han
cock stands out in striking contrast with
the action of his superior who soon after
rebuked and drove him from that COM
mand for uttering sentiments worthy of
all honor. The soldier clothed with ex-
traordinary power voluntarily uncovered
before the civil authority, sheathed his
sword, testified his fidelity to the Consti-
tuition and set an example of obedience
to law which will pass into history as his
proudest claim to distinction. The man
who in the midst Of the excitement of that
stormy period was cool enoug gh to see his
duty clearly, and courageous enough to
execute it firmly, may be well trusted in
any crisis.
His letter to General Sherman recently
brought to light lifts General Hancock
far above the past appreciation of his civil
ability. 1t marks him as one of the
wisest of his time, with statesman's
grasp of mind, and with the integrity
of patriot whom no sense of expediency
could swerve from his honest convictions
Long and unchecked possession Of power
by any party leads to extravaganOe, cor
ruption and loose principles.
After twenty years Of domination by
the Republicans, chronic abuses have be-
come fastened upon the public service
like barnacles on the bottom of stranded
ship. There is no hope of reform by lead
ers who have created system Of malad-
ministration, and who are interested in
perpetuating its evils. Nothing short of
the sternest remedy gives any promise Of
effective reform, and the first step towards
it is in change of rulers. The govern
ment must be got out of the ruts in which it
has too long been run. New blood must
be infused into the management of public
affairs before relief can be expected. The
people demand a change, and being in
earnest they are likely to be gratified.
Very sincerely, DAVID DAVIS.
To Hon. James E. Harvey.