The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-08-12
How Is 1t for the Production of
q Mere Soldier?
Hancock Seems to Have Been
Wiser Than All the Rest,

Wiser Than All the Rest.
A Better Campaign Document
Could Not Have Been
Produced.
New YORK, July 3I.-This letter
was written in reply TO two letters on
the situation received from General
Sherman -:
CARoNDoLEr P. o., ST. LOUIS. Mo.,)
December %, 1876.
MY DEAR GENERAL:-Your favor
of the 4th instant reached me in New
York the fifth day before left for the
West. intended 10 reply to it before
leaving, but cares incident to the de-
parture interfered. Then again, since
my arrival here l have been SO occu-
pied with personal affairs of a bnsi-
ness nature that have deferred writ
ing from day 10 day, until this morn
ing, and now find myself in debt TO
you another letter. In acknowledge
ment of your favor of the 18th, re-
ceived few days since, l have con-
cluded to leave here the 29th, to-mor.
row afternOon) so that may be in
Now York on the 3lst inst. 1t has
been cold and dreary. ince my ar
rival here l have worked like Turk
Il presume that mcans hard work
i'm the country in making fences, cut
ting down trees, repairing buildings,
etc., ETC., and am at least able to say
that St. Louis is the coolest place in
winter aud the hottest place in sum-
mer of any that l haye encountered
in the temperate zone. l have known
st. Louis in December TO have fine
| weather throughout tho month. Yhia
December has been frigid, and the
river has been frozen more solid than
/ have yet known it. -i@
When heard the rumor that was
ordered to the Pacific Coast thought
it probably true, considering the past
discussion on that subject. The posi-
bilities seemed to me TO point that
way. Had it been true, should, Of
course, have presented no complaint.
nor made resistance of any kind. l
would have gone quickly, if not pre-
pared to 60 promptly. l certainly
would have been relieved from
the responsibilities and anxieties con.
cerning Presidential matters, which
may fall to those near the throne or
in authority within the next four
months, as well as from other incidents
or matters which / could not control
an action concerning which l might
not approve. l was not exactly pre-
pared to go to the Pacific Coast, how
ever, aud L therefore felt relieved
when received your note informing
me that there was no truth in the ru.
NOR. Then did not wish to appear
to be escaping from The responsible
ties, and possibly dangers, which may
cluster around the military commands
of the East, especially in tho critical
period fast approaching. Ais well
that ends well. The whole matter of
the Presidency seems to be simple,
and to admit of a peaceful solution.
The machinery for such q contingency
az threatens to prese1tit itself has been
all carefully prepared. 1t only requires
lubrieating. Owing TO the desire that
the army should have nothing to do
with the election or inauguration of
the Presidents. the people elect the
President, and Congress declares in
Joint session who he is. The army
have only to obey his mandates, and
are protected in so doing, only 80 tar
as they may be lawful. Our commits
sions express that. i like Jefiersons
| way of inauguration. II suits our
system. He rode alone on horseback
10 the Capitol-I fear it was the old
Capitol-tied his horse TO a rail fence,
entered, and was duly sworn, and then
rode to the executive mansion and
took possession. He inaugurated him
self simply by taking the oath Of OF.
fee. There is no other legal inaugu.
ration in our system. The politicians
may institute parades in honor of the
event, and public officials may add to
the pageant by assembling troops and
| banners, but all that only oOmes prop
erly after the inauguration, not before,
and it is not part of it. Our system
docs not provide that one President
should inaugurate another. There
might be danger in that, and it was
studiously left out of the charter.
But you are placed in an exceptionally
important position in connection with
cOmipg events. The capital is in my
Jurisdiction, but am subordinate and
not on the spot, and if were SO, there
also would be my superior In author
ity, for there is the station of general
in chief. On thu principle that the
regularly elected Presidents term of
office expires with the 3rd of March,
Of which I have not the slightest
doubt, and which the laws bearing on
the subject uniformly recognize, and
in consideration OF the possibility that
the lawfully elected President may
not appear until the 9th of March, a
great deal of responsibility may nee
cssayiiy fall upon you. You hold over.
You will have power and prestige to
support you. The Secretary of War,
too, probably holds oyer, but il no
President appears, he may not be able
to exercise the functions in the name
OF q President, for his proper acts are
those of q known superior, lawful
President. You act on your own re.
sponsibility, and by virtue of COM
mission, only restricted by the law.
The Secretary of War Is the mouth
piece of President. You are not.
If neither copdidate has q cOnstitn
tional majority Of the electoral college |
or the Senate and HOpse on the Occa-
sion of the count do not unite in de- |
claring some person legally elected by |
the people, there is q lawful machine
ry already provided TO meet the con-
and decide the question peace
fully. 1t has not been recently used,
no OCCASION presenting itself, but our
provided it. 1t has been
and has been recognized and
submitted to as lawful on every hand.
That machinery would probably elect
Mr.. TiIden President and Mr.. Wheel
er Vice President. That would be
right enough, for the law provides
that in a failure to elect duly by the
psople, the House shall elect Presi-
dent, AND the Senate Vice President.
Some tribunal Wust decide whether
the people have duly elected Presi-
dent. 1 presume, Of course, that it is
The joint affirmative action of the SEN
ate and House, or why are they pres
ent to witness the count, if not to see
hat tits fair aud iust2 If a failure to
agree arises between the two bodies,