New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-09
THE REPRESENTATIVE or DISLcYAL7Y.

THE REPRESENTATIVE or DISLCPFL1I.
The revOlutionists Of the extra session have
nominated General Hancock. What is tie
point of accord that explains this fact These
are the men who have not drawn one loyal
breath since many Of them were fighting in
gray uniforms against loyal aim!cs. They Tiled
to destroy the Government by force, then to
capture it by pledges Cf good behavior, then to
cripple it by refusal of supplies, and now they
set ND General Hancock as their representative
Have they changed, or has lie
Only two things are known that can explain
this. Indeed nothing else, good or bad, Is
known of the political acts or opinions of Gen
eral Hancock. 1t is known that he helped as
far rs he could to thwart and defeat laws of the
United States in 1867. 1t is said that he
seriously contemplated a revolutionary move
ment TO seat by force Presidential candidate
who was defeated in 1876. 1t is boastinGly
stated by his friends and as yet not denied by
apy one that General Hancock did declare that
he would not respect or obey decision OF
thc Presidential question adverse to Mr.. Ill
den, but was ready to support Mr.. IIlden Ill an
attempted revolution, and to obey his orders
as President, if he would take the cath of office,
and thus take the first step in the revolution.
At that time, General Hancock was soldier of
the United States Army, bound by It's ruies
and bv the laws of the United States to render
obedience to the General in command OF the
Army. and bound tC submit, III respect to any
DISPUTE as TO the result OF elections, to
the decisions Of the civil authorities.
1t would have been naked, undlsguised
and reasonable characterization, hal any
~ daft If
handing General, attempted to recognize as
President the person not so recognized III the
orders of the head of the Army But this act OF
revolution General Hancock declared himself
ready to commit, according to the assertions of
his friends, if Mr.. Tilden would provide him
pIetcXt.
If this il true, it was not the first time Gen
cral Hancock had showed a spirit OF lnsubOrdl-
nation. In 1867, Andrew johnson was en-
Gagged in an effort to defeat the laws enacted by
Congress He sought for military officers
who, if placed in command of departments,
would help him to defeat the laws. General
Sheridan had faithfully and intelligently en-
forced the laws in the Fifth District, comprising
Louisiana and Texas, aud johnson therefore
wished 10 get rid of him. General Thomas was
approached, but he repeatedly On cred his
= plotest,r as General Grant officially stated,
especially to being assigned to relieve Gen
- erol Sheridan" The grand old heio was not
willing to be used for any disloyal purpose
| Finally, General Hancock was found, and he
consented He became the instrument and
mouthpiece of the unreconstlucted rebels who
were resisting the laws. As far as he had power
| he DID defeat the laws within the department
which he commanded, and for doing so was
| honored beyond measure by the rebels and
banded assasslns of that day, as he is trusted
| by the Ievolutionists OF day.
That the import Of his acts may be well un
! derstood, 1t is needful TO quote briefly from
| the letter of General Grant, dated August z
1867. That morning, Mr.. Johnson had pro
posed the removal of General Sheridan, anG
General Grant, in private letter to the Pres
| dent said,
Let Inc AK you TO consider the effect II would hay
| upon the public He il universally and deservedly be
loved by the people who sustained this Goveram en-
| through Its trials. aud feared by those VIII