Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-07-15
HANCoCK's RECORD.
His Celebrated Letter to Gov. Pease,
Of Texas.

close of his administration at
New Orleans, in reply to the
application of Gov. Pease, of
Texas, for the establishment Of
military commissions in that
State. 1t deserves a careful
reading, and it may be found IA
triumphant vindicatiOn of the
principles upon which Gen.
Hancock conducted his admin
istration. No conservative cit
izcn can read it without being
impressed with the soundness
OF The writer's political princi-
piles, The firmness and independ-
cnce of his character, the excel
lence Of his judgment, his STATES
manlike ability and patriotism !:
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH Mill
TARY DISTRICT, New ORLEANS,
La, March 8, 1S68.-To His
EXccllepcy; E. M.lJPease, Gov
ernor of Texas: Sir-4 our COM
muniealien of the 18th january
last was received in due course
of mail, (the 9th Junuary,) but
not until it had been widely cir
cuialed by the newspaper press.
To such u letter-7written and
published for manifest purposes
it has been my intention 10
reply as soon as leisure from
more important business would
permit.
Youc statement that the act
of Congress ''to provide for the
more efficient government of
the rebel States" declares that
whatever government existed in
Texas was provisional; that
peace and order should be en-
forced that Texas should be part
of the Fifth Military District,
and subject to military power;
that the President should APP
point an officer TO command in
said district, and detail force
to protect tights of person
and property, suppress insur-
rection and violence, and pun
ish offenders, either by military
commission, or through the ac-
ton of local civil tribunals, as in
his Judgment might seem best,
will not be disputed. One need
only read the act to perceive 1t
contains such provisions. But
how all this is supposed to have
made it my duty to order the
military commission requested,
you have entirely failed to show.
The power 10 do a thing if
shown, and the propriety of do
ing it, are often very different
matters. You observe you are
at a loss to understand how a
government, without represen-
tation in Congress, or a militia.
force, and subject to military
power, can be said to be in the
full exercise of all its proper
powers. You do not reflect
that this government, created or
permitted by Congress, has all
the powers which the act Intends,
and may. fully exercise them ac-
cordingly. If you think it ought
to have more powers, should be
allowed TO send members to
Congress, wield militia force,
and possess yet other powers,
your complaint isnot to be pre-
ferred against me, but against
Congress, who made it what i:
is:
AS respects the issue between
Us, any question as 10 what Con-
gress ought TO have done has no
pertinence. You admit the act
Of Congress authorizes me TO
try an offender by military COM
mission, or allow the local civil
tribunals 10 try, as | shall deem
best; and you cannot deny the
act expressly recognizes such
local tribunals as legal authesi-
ties for the purpose specified.
When you contend there are no
legal local tribunals for any pnr-
pose in Texas, you must either
deny the plain reading of the
act of Congress or the power OF
Congress TO pass the act. -
You next remark that you
dissent from my declaration,
"that the country (Texas) is in
a state of profound peace,p and
proceed to state the grounds OF
your dissent. They appear to
ME not a little extraordinary. |
quote your words: cit is true
there no longer exists here Tex
as) any organized resistance TO
the authority of the United
States" "But a large majority
of the white population whip
participated in the late rebellion
are embittered against the Coy
ernment, and yield to it an un-
willing obedience" Neverthe-
less, you concede they do yield
it obedience. You proceedi:t
"Nonc Of this class have any
affection for the Government
and very few any respect for it
They regard the Legislation of
Congress on the subject of re-
construction as unconstitt1tion-
nj and hostile fo their interests