The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-08-25

lowing letter is made public to day by
Mr.. Harvey:
BLOOMINGTON, Ill.,,
Aug. 4, 1880. {
Hon. James e. Harvey:
Ny DEAR SIR-The training and ha-
bits of my life naturally lead me to
prefer civilians to soldiers for great
civil trusts.
But, as parties are organized, voters
must choose between the candidates
they represent OF stand aloof and be
Indifferent or neutral, which no good
citizen ought to do at presidential
election. | have no hesitation in sup
porting General Hancock, for the best
If all reasons to my mind, because his
election will put an end to sectional
strife and to sectional parties, and will
revive a patriotic sentiment all over
the land which political leaders and
factions for sinister ends have sought
to prevent.
| There can he no permanent prosper
| ity without pacification. Great as were
tile achievements of General Hancock
in the war, his conduct in peace, when
in command of Louisiana and Texas
in 1867, was still greater, and justly
eommends him to the confidence Of the
country. That was time when pas
sion ruled in public councils and mill
tary power was exercised to silence
civil authority. Temptation was very
strong to sail with the rushing cur
rent, for an inhamed partisan opinion
was ready to condone exercises and to
applaud expressions. General Han
cocks Order No. 40, in assuming charge
of the Fifth Military District, announ-
ced: "The right of trial by jury, the
habeas corpus, the liberty of the press,
freedom of speech, natural rights OF
persons and rights of property must be
respected. These principles are the
basis of free government" The pro-
clamation of them by General Han
cock stands out in striking contrast
with tie action of his superior, who
soon after returned ard drove him
from that command for uttering senti'
ments worthy of all honor. The sol
der, clothed with extraordinary pow
err, voluntarily uncovered before the
civil authority, sheated his sword, tes
tilted his fidelity to the Constitution
and set an example of obedience to law
which will pass into history as hi
proudest claim to distinction. The
man who in the midst Of the excite
ment of that stormy period was COO
enough to see his duty clearly, ant
courageous enough to execute it firm
" may be well trusted in any crisis
His letter to General Sherman recently
brought to light, lifts General Hancocl
far above the past appreciation of hi
civil ability. 1t marks him as one o
the wisest of his time, with states
man grasp of mind and with the integ
rity of patriot, whom no sense OF ex
pediency could swerve from his homes
convictions. Long and unchecked
possession of power by any party lead
to extravaganza, corruption and loos
practices.
After twenty years of domination b,
i. the Republicans, chronic abuses hav
become fastened upon the public ser
E vice like barnacles Oh the bottom of
ship. There is no hope of reform b.
, leaders who have created system
) maladministration, and who are inter
3 ested in perpetuatiug its evils. Moth
E ing short of the sternest remedy give
any promise of effective reform, an
!. the first step toward it is i'll chang
. OF rulers.
The government must be got out
the ruts in which it has too long bee
: run new blood must be infused int
the management of public affairs bt
I, fore relief can he expected. The pee
Pile demand change, and, being in cal
2 nest, they are very likely to be graf
fed. Very sincerely,
DAVID DAVIS.
The great principles of america
L liberty still are the laWfal iaheritaace I
this people and euer should be.-[Wi,