The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-10-14
New YoRK. Oct. 6.-Col RIanton Dur


can furnishes The Herald two letters from
Gen. Hancock, which he says were never
before shown anybody or published.
The first letter is dated Oct. %, 1879,
and is as follows:
Ny DEAR COLONEL: ] received to day
your favor of the 18th. and was much
interested in your resume of the working
Of the political cauldron. 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 folly inside that organiza-
ton to advance other candidates, If their
availability for the future was a question
of importance or interest. I have no
part In any programme looking to the
future. My name comes up through
friends-and foes, possibly; know of
no machinery In the interest of my NOM
ination. I seem in public opinion to be
put forth as the exponent Of certain pol
itical available possibilities, and would
be better pleased if permitted to pursue
the even tenor of my way, untouched by
political excitement. 1 do not wish to be
considered chronic candidate, for 1
know what that means when the end
comes. So, my true friends had better
let the matter rest, or if not let it drift.
The next election is to be a momentous
one. What may come out of it, good or
bad, do not know; but am certain
that L cannot assist in leading to good
result mofs certainly than by following
the quiet course ] have always endeavor-
ed to pursue. If I come in question in
politics, it will have tc be from the States
and people, and not from me. | am,
very truly, yours,
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK.
| Very singularly, writes Col. Duncan,
| there came to me about the same day
/ letter from one of the most prominent
Greenhackers, whose name and that of
others concerned l will not MENTION
They are supporters of Weaver in the
plan to aid in the election of Garfield. =
The letter was marked Confidential, Z"
and dated October %, 1879.
Col Blanton Duncan: Ny DEAR SIR:
For some time past, (blank) and myself
been talking over plan to elect Gen.
Hancock, President of the United States.
Our plan is that you write to Gen. Han
cock, and if he responds with the right
views on financial and labor questions,
that we then decide to call the national
convention, first, nominate Hancock for
President, and some Confederate for
Vice-President, and it will force the Dem
ocrats to meet and nominate the same
ticket. Your plan of calling both the
Democratic and National conventions
the same day will not work, and will
give large amount of our party an ex-
cuse to say it was political trade, while
my plan is one that large mojority OF
our party will endorse. I hope you will
agree on the plan and have conference
with Gen. Hancock on the subject.
That letter. continues Col. Duncan,
was forwarded by me with a recommen-
dation to Gen. Hancock not to make any
reply to it. He, however. wrote to me
rs follows, marked confidential" and
dated November, 1879
My DEAR COLONEL: Your note has
been received. 1 do not occupy the pos
ition of political candidate, to express
any opinions. 1 am soldier in the fed
eral service, and my usefulness as such
and as commander would be impaired
if l should take open grounds in favor
of the political views of any party. II
I am ever candidate of party for a
civil Office it will be on the record I have
made. l should never make any bid for
such office. If were nominated by q
party, would be governed by the plat
form or / would not accept the nomina
ton. Therefore, shall pursue the even
tenor of my way undisturbed by the am
billions which pursue some people. /
am, very truly yours,
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK.