The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-03-12
STALKS INTO PROMINENCE.

STALKS INTO PROMINENCE.
Some months ago this paper placed
at Its masthead the name of Gen. w.
g. Hancock for President. No reasons
were then given, and none have been
given since why this was done, as
they were only such reasons as satisfied
us only that our preference was not
wrong. As far back as 1868, the Editor
of the TELEaRAPH-a delegate to the
National Democratic Convention OF
that year from this State-preferred
and supported Gen. Hancock ut Tam
many Hall, when Gov. Seymour was
unfortunately nominated for President.
1t was then-just as 1t is now, twelve
years subsequent-a question of loyalty
to the Union, and, is it as now, ques.
ton Of Democratic supremacy in the
General Government.
1t is not worth while to recall the
failure of Seymour, or that of Horace
Greeley to he elected Presidant, or to
recount the woes Detailing the country
from the still more disastrous failure
in choosing Mr.. Tilden to lead the
Democratic hosts. But in all these
nominations, we had the conviction
that Gen. Hancock was the best man
the Democrats could nominate. To
that opinion we adhere to-day.
Let us consult the press little. The
Cincinnati Commercial contains the
following forecast of political proba-
bilities:
AS Bayard drifts out of notice, he
being no longer presidential possible
ity, General Hancock stalks into pro-
minence. A noble, historic figure,
bearing name that Is doubly historic,
he has many points of advantage in
ly aud conspicuoIsly for the Union,
and moro than one of the great victo-
ries for the Union in the late war are
directly attributable to his mastery
generalshtp. He spoke bravely for the
constitution and the supremacy of the
law when the war was ut an end, and
no act of injustice or military oppres-
sion can be laid at his door. His ad-
mirers will spring up in every State,
both North and South, and by the time
the Cincinnati Convention meets it is
not unlikely that the Hancock boon.
will be among the most prominent fea-
lures, as they say, of the days or
weeks entertainment.
We have never considered Senat or
Bayard an eligible candidate. Aside
from his speech, lately reproduced by
the New York Sun, antagonistic to the
war sentiment of the North, his views
on the money question would not suit
the West, and are really not to the in
terest of the South. ..
The Commercial is Republican
sheet, but not like its contemporary, the
Gazette, strictly partisan. Its estimate
Of Hancock, however, is something of
value.
Coming to our own State, we find in
the Picayune of Sunday last, the fol-
lowing decided expression of opinion
concerning Gen. Hancock:
In our Judgment, Union soldier,
known to be q good Democrat, while
at the same time he has shed his blood
in defense of the Union, is best cal
culated to unite all shades of the Dem
ocratic party, and to attract to his
support that great mass OF Republican
voters who, regarding the perpetuity
Of republican institutions as as
sailed by tho supporters of the third
term, might be willing to give their
votes to a Democrat whose devotion
and loyalty to the Union is beyond
challenge; and, in our hambie opinion,
Winfield Scott Hancock Is the man
raised up1y providence to bring peace
to this passion-vexed Union, and to
prove the selected instrument to attest
the devotion OF the American people
to the traditions of the founders of the
Republic.
The deliberation,-or wariness, if
you please-of the Picayune Is too
we'll known for us to call attention to
the decisive language we have just
quoted.
The opinions of these prominent
journals are worth thinking about.