Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-10-21
Gen. SickleS on Hancock.
A CLEAR PRESENTATION OF THE Is
SUES OF THE CANvAsS-THE
SOUTHERN CLAIMS

SUES OF THE CANvAss-THE
SOUTHERN CLAIMS
BUGABoO.
From the New York World, Oct &. 1880
IA FIFTH AVENUE, New YORK, !
October 6, 1880.
w. A. FOWLER, Esq, Chairman Ex-
ecutive Committee, st. James Hotel.
Dear Sir: Business engagements
that cannot be deferred will occupy
my time during the next fortnight, so
that | am unable to make such ap-
pointments for public meetings as you
propose. My impressions about the
present canvass have been freely ex-
pressed to my friends and may be
summed up in few paragraphs.
| have always felt that whenever
the Democratic party North and
South-frankly accepted the results of
the war and nominated a candidate
for President who was firm and
steady friend of the Union throughout
the struggle, | could then as war
Democrat honorably resume my for
mer political relations. The nomina-
tion of Hancock, one of the most
distinguished leaders of the Union
armies; his affirmation of the inviola-
bility of the war amendments to the
Constitution his denunciation of the
unlawfulness of all reclamatiOns set
up by those who took part in the
rebellion the general favor his nomi-
nation has received in the Southern
States-the solid" support of the
South given to a Union soldier
remove the causes which have for
some time alienated me from my old
political associates. / shall cheerfully
unite with them now to promote the
election of their worthy candidate.
The people do not sympathize with
the struggle of the leaders of the Re.
publican party to perpetuate their
power. The earnestness of Lincoln
the strength of Seward, the enthusiasm
of Sumner, the energy of Stanton are
followed by the rivalries, jealousies
and intrigues exhibited in the Chicago
Convention. The patriotic zeal which
animated these great men of the Re.
publican party of the past seemed Ia
have degenerated in their successors
to mere strife for patronage and
place, and days were spent in bitter
contention about candidates without
presenting to the country any issue
having practical bearing on its vel
fare. The paramount question to be
settled by the leaders at Chicago
seemed to be the order of their succes.
sion to the Presidency.
1t is desirable that the inevitable
change in the political control of the
government. which is no doubt immi.
nent, shall take place under safe con.
ditions. 1t is not to be supposed that
any party can hold power indefinitely
The examples of our own and other
countries show that an alienation oi
parties every few years is to be antici.
pated, and experience proves these per.
iodical transitions to be wholesome and
useful. Democratic control can be
safely tried with Hancock. He will
give US all the advantages without any
of the risks Of the change of admins.
tration.
Republicans and Democrats who
united with so much satisfaction in
electing General Grant do not serious.
ly doubt the fitness of soldier to fill
the Presidential chair. The support.
ers of General Hayes and the party
that has now nominated General Gar.
field and General Arthur must have
confidence in military men, unless II
be suggested that neither Garfield OF
Arthur have seen enough service to
imperil our institutions by their mar.
tial proclivities. The country was
never more fortunate than In the elec.
tion of General jackson, the champion