Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-01
General HancOck's STATESMAN.
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General HancOck's Statesman
Ship
General Hancock's admirers have but
one example in all his career which they
present as evidence of craftsmanship.
They cannot tell what his opinions are, il
he has any, upon one OF the important
questions exciting the minds Of the states
men Of this day. But they go back to the
year 1867, when Phil Sheridan was re-
moved from the government of the de-
partment containing Louisiana and Texas,
by Andy johnson, and Hancock was APP
pointed rs better adapted to carry out the
reconstruction policy Of the President
who was bent upon betraying the national
government into the hands of the men
who fought to destroyit.
It is in General Hancock's order assum-
ing command of the department to which
he was appointed that his craftsmanship"
budded, blossomed and ripened.
That order was prepared in exact accord
ance with the Johnson policy of recon-
structiou. Hancock was schooled in it
with great deal of care by eminent DEM
ocratic teachers, who even then had an eye
to bringing him out as a democratic can
didate for President. The soldier was a
willing if not brilliant pupil. He ae-
copied what they gave him and went read
lily into training for the nomination ahead.
The republican party has not forgotten
the intense feeling Of Indignation which
controlled them when they discovered
that the man whom they had chosen Vice
President and who by the assassination
of Mr.. Lincoln had come to be President,
had proved traitor to the party which
trusted and elected him and was bound to
use all his official power to thwart the
policy of the republicans and make the
ex-Confederates the controlling factor in
the national administration. Brave, hon
est and true Phil Sheridan could not be
trusted to carry out the johnson policy,
and for this he was removed and a more
subservient agent substituted in the per-
son of General Hancock. The Estates
manship'' OF the orders issued by him
were the craftsmanship Of the Andy
johnson policy, repeated by thepupil then
being coached for the democratic nomina-
ton for President. What the rebels thought
about Hancock and the policy he was
to pursue. is well shown by a Washington
despatch which appeared in the Charles
ton Courier just before serenade given
to him at Washington Immediately pre-
vious to his starting for the South. The
despatch stated among other things the
following:
New Orleans is Just now the key of the
Conservative position South. The compul-
sory resignation of Gov. Flanders, with other
decided movements now in progress, indi-
Gates the beginning of a new regime in the
military districts. Hancock is to be made
the pioneer in great flank movement South
to restore the unrepresented States, so far as
the reconstruction acts will allow, to the ba-
sis of civil law. This is said by persons
high in the confidence of the Executive to be
the new policy determined on. The other
military commanders will be directed to fol-
low Hancock's lead, or, failing to do so. will
he removed. 1t ia Mr.. Johnson's purpose to
have the reconstruction laws fairly carried
ont. They are deemed outrageous enough
"A thew stand, without any forced radical con-
struction being put on them. In pursuance
az this plan, il il said that General Hancock's
first move will be the following:
In the State Of Louisiana there are 1000
negroes on the registry of voters who were
horn in Africa and have never been natural
ixed. - The government is said to be
in possession of a secret circular, issued by
Gen. Sheridan at the time registration was
n nroerees. directing the officers whom to
resister and whom not. These instructions
sre Of the most sweeping partisan char
ecfer. Even sextons-the antiquated
fnaails retained around the coun-
try churches for years, and who.
AZ course, being old residents, were not like
H. IN vote the radical ticket-are construed
- he ssofaccrs of the Confedcracy" and dis
ftanchiscd.
Hancock will issue q commission in every
rarish 10 examine the register and strike off
~ namcs Of all persons illegally registered,
and also to take cognizance OF all appiica-
lions for registration improperly refused, and
10 mt these nance 10 the lists. One result
Of this purging of the registry wiii andoaot-
edly be to defeat the Constitution wnlcn the
hI.ct. en6-tan convention are now hammer
inc ont Ia Other military departments the
same policy will probably have simiiar re-
salt.
Gen. Hancock's next proceeding will prob
ally be 70 convene the State Leels,atu!e-
not exactly 10 convene it either; the Legisia-
!. frret e q sxi.fence. If Sheridan tacitly rec
,6Guised Is leeslity BY Issuing an order pro-
kibifine Il assembling, Hancock viii rescind
~ order. .The Legislature can then meet
- dsvise 80 measure foe the financial