Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-06-29

hiNuth w bellefH IihUCoth NohhV'''"
with the execution Of the persons con.
yicted Of the assassination OF lineolnf
simply these, that they show that Gen
eral Hancock had no part, no apenoy,no,
participation In the evidence which led
TO the conviction Of these parties; that
he had no views In making or prevent
Ing their sentence that he Was not their
execulioner, constructiyely even
That lac simply give his official emphasis
and direction tO these orders which he
received from the War Department
Beyond that, he had no connection
with the trial, conviction, or execution
oi these parties, except ~ VAS the dnty
OF a soldier, OF the commander OF the de-
parlment M a soldier, with allegiance
aud oath Ia obey aud he discharged that
duty he has always done-like
soldier.
1T Was no part Of his position or his
duty Ia raise the question Oi his legality
or the constitutionallty Of the proceed
ings 81 the Commission, His whole du'
~ demanded Oi him the execution oi or
ders received from his superiors, leaving
the responsibility aud the Criminallty, II
Republicans choose To 80 denominate u,
Ia those who gave the orders and not Ia
those whose position Loyalty aud legally
demanded II them the execution OF
those orders"
What In the nature Ol those papers
To which you have relerfedf"
There we're official letters, official or
dcrs, kilograms, and correspondence
from all parts al the country, and from
leading men III the Nation, Sten0-
graphic reports of the discussions al the
Cabinet, and statements aud piiidaylts
al the parties who, from force al cirCun-
stances, we're nearest To aud were partl-
Cipania al the execution III that order,
which WA given upon the basis oi the
hnding al the COnIInltAiOn.
"DO you believe, from your knowledge
of the contents IL Theses papers, aud the
iaots aud evidence al that conviction aud
the execution, that General Han
cock Was at all responsible lOr the death
ui Mrs Surratt, or any Of the consPIra'
tors"
81 believe that Theses papers contain
the ylndlCallOn al ex.PTcsident John
sons action, aud that u In unfortunate
that circumstances have prevented tho
American people from hearing him
upon the subject, aud knowing his Teas-
aus and the support h0 had Tor his
action; aud aA Ia General Hancock Ice
lleye that these papers show not his
yindication, because he needs none,
hut show that ho had nothing whatever
tu dO with the trial, conviction aud exc
culiOn III the parties Who we're exccut-
ed. Tho charge against hin In unbound
ed, therefore false Ia TACT false IN any
way that his opponents may Try to
show him at fault They have nO oyl-
drnCo, and u In only righteousness,
which unfortunately seems Ia br AN IN
Separablo element Ia our politics"
MI. Smalley. IN closing, added: Hen
pitman, ui this city, was the official
slonngrapher ri the COmmisSiop; he
made part al the record ol ~ pro-
cecdings, aud afterwards, ! believe. tes-
titled that lac knew nothing at the
recommendation 81 mercy, aud that the
official proceedings, an published, con
tanned nu alluslun Ia II. lie In here ia
your city. aud, al course, will retain hls
recollection upon that paint, nnd what
ever hs may say concerning II, doubt
mol hut that II will he IN thorough ac.
cnrdaure with the iacis
MI. Smallry further stated that IA
1872, while attending the sitting III the
baltimore Convention, the Hon. John
&. Burrh, nov Secretary at the United
states senate, autographed To cNITosl,
dent johnson Ia know his opinion upon
the situation, aud asked what would bo
the best lor Tennessee IL du. MIR John
SIN had u high regard Tor the abilities
aud statcsmanShlp al General Hancock,
aud hls response Ia the TcnnoSHce drlo,
CATION war Ia nominate Hancock and
hendricks. az any other good Democrat
upon solid Democratic platform, and
make the race with him, even though
defeat war staIinp thom Ia the lace, bat
ho hal n0 doubt At that time al General
IIancork's ability To carry the country,
aud Il he we've alive to-day he would Lee
Hancock \ most emphatic aud cnthusl-
asilc supp"rter,