Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-07-03
CHICAGO LETTER

OTdl luutlu DcoVt lA1hOOOh AZ Oiu
cinnati, as predicted by your cores
pendent in his last letter to the PUB
Lie LEDGER, has filed the hearts of
the best people of Chicago with de-
light. Every democrat aud not a few
republicans are simply wild with en-
thusiasm, and bets of great odds are
offered on the democratic nominee.
The wise selection of the general as
the democratic standard bearer fell
upon the republican element with
alarming effect, and threw them into
such demoralized disorder that it will
be next to impossible for them to rally
again. l have mingled with throngs
Of republicans, and carefully noted
their expressions as regards General
Hancock, and in every instance learn
ed that none would be sorry if he is
elected-that the country would be
safe in his keeping. This sentiment
not only pervades the ranks of ex-sols
diers, but spreads itself among
all classes of business men,
and especially those who have
most at stake financially. Aside
from the universal opinion of demo-
Gratis as to his fitness for the exalted
Office they would elevate him to,
pure republicans have none other
than kind words for General Hancock.
In fact, it is generally conceded that
his election is a ~foregone fact. The
mass meeting last Saturday night in
Chicago, ratifying the nomination OF
Hancock and English, so far as
the democrats are concerned,
fully demonstrated that his
friends are enthusiastic in his
favor. AT least $1,000 persons were
present 1t was a grand ovatiOn-a
demonstration that was calculated to
disabuse the sceptic's mind OF any
belief that the good people Of Chicago
are not in earnest in having a change
in the White House next March. A
few desperate republicans have been
busy circulating a villainously dis
4 torted narrative regarding General
Hancocks connection with the muir
der of Mrs. Surratt. However, their
little rascally game will amount to
nothing, as the friends of the general
have been prompt to publish the facts
in the case. These go to prove that
General Hancock did all in his power
to have set aside the unjust, the cruel
murderOus sentence Of that unfortu.
nate woman, and only performed his
duty, in obedience to orders, as a
sheriff executes the mandates of a
court. When Judge Wylie issued a
writ of habeas corpus in favor Of the
condemned lady, General Hancock
was not allowed to obey it. And
T those who interdicted him were nc
other than President johnson and
Secretary Of War Stanton. The muir
der, therefore, of the poor woman.
was the work, not of democrats, or oil
a democrat, but Of a vindictive re-
publican court. General Hancock
had to obey orders, or lay himself
liable to be tried and shot for insub-
ordination. The cowardly murder O
Mrs. Surratt was the special work of a
fendish republican commission and nc
part of the black tragedy was per
formed by General Hancock, only af
ter his most earnest protest was en-.
tered in favor of the poor victim tC
brutal passion. His humane action.
in the shocking calamity is vouched
for by countless prominent persons
among whom is the Roman Catholic
priest who attended the sacrificed Ia.
dy to the last. Consequently the in
famous charge made against him by
General Hancock's enemies will avail
nothing against evidence that cannot
: be impeached. When General Han.
cock and Garfield are placed side by
, side, and their records compared, nc
similarity can be found by thinking
men of either party; but, on the con,
} trary, a great contrast. General Han
cock is found to be an eminent sol
der, a bright scholar, a broad thinker
an accomplished gentleman, and q pa.
triot that proved his legality to the
constitution by respecting the ciyi.
courts when he had it In his power tC
crush them with military power. On
the other hand General Garfield de-
serted the field of war at an early day
and sought a place of safety in con.
gress while General Hancock exposed
himself to the bullets of the desperate
enemy. While in congress Genera.
Garfield stultifed his record by com.
hitting a crime against honor by aid.
ing and alotting political vampires and
: pecuniary knaves in their villainous
designs upon the country. IF there il
any glory for his party in such record
for their standard bearer, they are
welcome to it. 1t is claimed thai
General Garfield is a statesman
Granted. Then, is not his course il
the DeGolyer and Credit Mobiliel
Infamies the more to be condemned
by honest men? The people of these
United States want no such furnished
person TO occupy the position once SO
honored by Washington and his peers
and the November election will
prove that the republican party
made great mistake in
selecting as its leader a man who, with
all his learning, and the numerous
honorable precedents to guide him
forgot himself so far as to commit or
rors that shock even his own party
and drew upon himself such foul obi
UNI that not even time will obliterat,
. from the memory of the country. Tn,
misfeasance of Gen. Garfield will
| cause thousands of good republi
cans to stay away from the polls, anC
: thousands more to vote for Gen. Han
l cock. To beyery candid, the nomina
ton OF Gen. Hancock has literally de
o moralized the republicans of Chicago