Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-07-02
Just Praise for Hancock.

NAHA A0ANO AAnnNVNAs
New York SUM-
We have already called attention to
the General Order No. 40, which Gen.
Hancock issued on Nov. %, 1867, on
taking command of the military dis
trict of Louisiana. 1t was, indeed, a
memorable paper. "In war;, said
Hancock, 1T is indispensable to repel
force by force to overthrow and de-
stroy opposition to lawful authority.
But when the insurrectionary forces
have been overthrow and peace es-
tablished, and the civil authorities
are ready and willing to perform their
duties, the military should cease to
lead, and the civil administration re-
sumo Its natural and rightful dOmin-
ion" Solemnly impressed with these
views, the general announces that the
great principles of American liberty
are still the rightiul inheritance OF
this people, aud ever should be. The
right OF trial by jury, the habeas cor
pus, the liberty of the press, the free
dom of speech, the natural rights of
persons and the rights Of property,
must be preserved"
This is but a specimen Of the whole
tenor of this memorable order, and we
say that no document has ever been
issued showing more profound famili-
arity with the constitution of the
United States, or a more accurate APP
probation Of the ideas and spirit by
which public affairs should be admin
istered and we recall with great pres
ent satisfaction the fact that when this
order made its appearance, the presi-
dent Of the United States in office at
the time thought it necessary to send
to congress a message a~pplauding and
affirming the concurrence of the ex-
ecutive in the doctrine laid down by
General Hancock This message is
well worthy of repetition at the pres
ent time;
Gentlemen Of the Senate ard of the
House of Representatives :
IAN official copy Of the order is.
sued by Major General Winfield S.
Hancock, commander of the fifth mil
itary district, dated headquarters in
New Orleans, Louisiana, on the Goth
day of November, has reached me
through the regular channels of the
war department, and | herewith com
muuicate it to congress for such ac-
ton as may seem to be proper in view
of all the circumstances.
ut will be perceived that General
Hancock announces hat he will make
the law the rule Ofhis conduct; that he
will uphold the courts and other civil
authorities in the performance oftheiT
proper duties, and that he will use his
military power only to preserve the
peace and enforce the law. lie de-
clares very explicitly that the sacred
right of the trial by jury and the priv
ilege of the writ Of habeas corpus shall
not be crushed out or trodden under
foot. He goes further, and in one
comprehensive sentence, asser, s
that the PRINCIPLES of Amer.
lean liberty are still the inheritance
of this people, and ever should be.
when a great soldier, with unre-
stricted power in his hands to Cypress
bis fellow men, voluntarily foregoes
the chance of gratifying his selfish
ambition, and devotes himself to the
duty Of building up the liberties and
strengthening the laws Of his county
he presents an example of the highest
public virtue that human nature is
capable of practising. The strongest
claim of Washington to be first il
war, first in peace, and frstin the
hearts Of his countrymen, is founded
on the great fact that in all his illus.
trious career he scrupulously alb
stained from violating the legal anC
constitutional rights Of his fellow
citizens. When he surrendered hi,
commission to congress, the presi-
dent of that body spoke his highes.
praise in saying that he had Away,
regarded the rights Of the civil au
thorities through all dangers and dis
asters.' Whenever power above thu
law courted his acceptance, he calmly
put the temptation aside. By sucl
magnanimous acts Of forbearance h,
won the universal admiration Of man
kind, and left a name which has nj
rival in the history Of the world.
IL am far fiom saying that Gen
Hancock is the only officer of thu
American army who is influenced BY
the example Of Washington. Doubt
less thousands of them are faithful,
devoted to the principles for whicl
the men of the revolution laid dow
their lives. But the distinguish,
honor belongs to him Of being tn,
first officer in high command south o
the Potomac since the close Of tn
civil war, who has given utterance t
these noble sentiments in the form o
a military order.
81 respectfully suggest to compress
that some public recognition of Gen
Hancock's patriotic conduct is due, i
not to him, to the friends Of law ant
justice throughout the country. D
such an act as his at such a time it j
but fit that the dignity should be win
dicated and the virtue proclaimed, q
that its value as an example may no
be lost to the nation.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1867"
Fortunate indeed is the republi
whose soldiers thus merit the approx;
ton of the civil authorities and tn,
plaudits of the people, Fortunat,
indeed is the country whose most gal
liant and popular soldier is thus deepl
imbued with the principles Of consti
tutional liberty. Most truly deserved
L. Az rrosoo ,-Itob D,oe,Jo,t I'll,