Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-07-30
The Great Conspiracy of 1876.

1t now seems to be pretty we'll under
stood that the letter of Gen. Hancock
to Gen. Sherman, is not by any means
such letter as the republicans want
published. 1t Is asserted by New York
papers that there is such a letter but il
Is not at all likely to see the light of day
and Gen. Hancock well knew this when
he so readily consented to have Gen.
Sherman give it to the public. The
letter was written before congress mot
in December, 1876, and was in reply to
one Of Gen. Sherman. and was ii yerv
nearly the language already stated by
republican newspapers. The important
part of the matter Is, that within few
days after the election when it became
known that Iilden was elected
the republican leaders met in Wash
ington and decided to hold possession
of the government peaceably, if posi-
bic, but by force, if force was found
necessary. lack Chandler and Grant
were aware of the scheme, and the
first move was to determine the condi-
ton Of the army and the sentiment Of
leading army officers. Cen Hancock
was the first, and ut once recognized as
the greatest obstacle inthe way. General
sherman wrote to him and had to give
some details of the scheme. He re-
celvcd very positive reply, and one
that shook the very foundations of the
great conspiracy to defraud the people
of their right to choose y president
Gen. Hancock answered in effect that
he would be Il party to no such reyolu-
tlOnary measure but would hold HIM
GOLF rnnIII1n-l AK ,,ln,v 4hn
ders of whoever was constitutions
ally and legally chosen president.
That if congress should declare Tilden
the elected president and Tilden should
take the oath of office he should look to
him for orders and obey no others
But the republicans had determined to
override the will of the people and the
acts Of the peoples congress, unless the
same corresponded with their wishes.
The leaders then hastily decided that
Cen. Hancock must be sent to the de-
partment of the Pacific. rs it would
never do 10 leave the greatest corps
commander of the war; and the senior
enlargement of the army in New
York, If it became necessary to Use the
army to defeat the peoples choice for
president. But while these schemes
were maturing, congress met and
the electoral bill was passed and
the republicans were given way
for securing their revolutionary project
without II show Of force. This is why
Gen. Hancock was not disturbed i'll
New York. 1t was to get rid of Gen.
Hancock thnt was causing them the
greatest trouble when congress met.
10 do the only thing they knew of, was
50 revolutionary III appearance that
the leaders feared lis effects upon the
excited people; but it would have been
lone if the people could not have been
defraudod in any other way. But this
Is tho real secret Of the story Of Han
cocks letter to sherman and the date
Of the lettor and its emphatic language,
is such that the republicans will take
the best of care that it does not see the
lisht of day while the campaign lasts.
Garry The Works."
The World publishes the following
and states that ii is only fair sample
of hundreds received by Gen. Hancock
by every mail:
SPRINGFIELD, o., june -, 1850.
"Htj Gen. ". S. Ianco,k:
DEAR SIR. l take tho lihrty of writing to