The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-08-18
Judge Davis on Hancock.
A Patriot who May be Trusted in Any Crisis

BLOOMINGTON, H., Aug. 4, 1880.
Ny DEAR SIR : The training and
the habits of my life naturally lead me
to prefer civilians to soldiers for the
great civil trusts But, as parties are
organized, voters must choose between
the candidates they present, or stand
aloof, Indifferent or neutral, which no
good citizen ought to do at Presl-
dental election. -.-.-.-- ----.-
I have no hesitation 10 supporting
Gen. Hancock, for the best of all
reasons, to my mind, because his elec
tion will put an end to sectional strife
and to sectional parties, and will re-
vive patriotic sentiment all over the
land, which political leaders and fac
tions, for sinister ends, have sought to
prevent. There can be no permanent
prosperity withou. paci6cation.
Great as were the achievements of
Gen. Hancock in war, bis conduct in
peace, when in command of Louisiana
and Texas in 1867, was still greater,
and justly commeuds him to the con-
fdence of the country.
That was a time when passion ruled
10 the public councils, and military
power was exerted to silence civil au-
thority. The temptation was strong
to sail with rushing current. for an 10
famed partisan opinion was too ready
to condone excesses and to applaud
oppression:
Gen. Haucock's order No. 40, in
assuming. charge .ofthe Fifth Military
District, announces 'The right Of
trial by jury, the ha5eas corpus, the
liberty of the press, the freedom of
speech, the patural rights Of persons,
and the rights of persons, and the
rights of property must be respected"
These principles are the basis of
free government, and the proclamation
of them by Gen. Hancock stands out
10 striking contrast with the action of
his superior, who soon after rebuked
and drove him from that command
for uttering sentiments worthy of all
honor.
The soldier clothed with extraordi-
nary power voluntarily uncovered be-
fore the civil authority, sheathed his
sword, testified his fidelity to.the Consti-
ttuion, and set an example, Of obedience
to law which win pass into history as
his proudest claim to distinction.
The man who in the midst of the
excitenents Of that stormy period was
cool enough to see bis duty clearly,
and courageous enough to execute it
firmly, may be we'll trusted in any
crisis. His letter to Gen. Sherman,
recently brought to light, lifts Gen.
Hancock far above the past apprecla-
ton of his civil ability. It marks him
as one of the wisest of his tine, with
statesman's grasp Of miud, and with
the integrity of patriot, whom 40
sense of ezpedieucy could sWerve from
his honest convictions. ....
Long and unchecked possession of
power by any party leads to extrava-
gance, corruption, and loose practices.
After twenty years of domination by
the Republicans, chronic abuses have
become fastened on the public service,
like barnacles on the bottom of
stranded ship.
There is no hope of reform by leaders
who have created'a system Of malad-
tnipistration, and who are interested in
perpetuating its evils. Nothing short
Of the steruest remedy gives any prom
ise of effective reform, and the first
toward it is in change of rulers. The
Government must be got out of the
ruts in which it has too long been
run. New blood must be infused iuto
the management of public affairs be-
fore relief can be expected.
The people demand change, and,
being in earnest, they are likely to be
grati6ed.
Very sincerely,
DAVID DAVIS.
JAMES E. HARVEY, Esq, Wash