The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-03
The Democratic Ticket.

The Democratic Ticket.
BY one of the sudden enthusiasms
to which large conventions are liable.
the Cincinnati convention has unex-
pectedly nominated Gen. Winfield
Scott Hancock, whom his own State
declined to present, but allowed one
of its members to present his candi-
dacy to the convention as a personal
privilege. His popularity in the
South. owing to his conduct when
military governor at New Orleans,
and theanXiety of Southern delegates
to show their willingness to support
Union general, started the boom
which, on the second ballot yester-
day ard the third ballot of all the
number taken, swept through the
convention. Personally a man of
genial manners, we'll liked by those
who come in contact with him, and
unique in being famous Union gen.
eral, and at the same time Demo-
crat, his was name easy to hurrah
over, and to draw an excited assem-
blage of politicians to its support.
The question now preAents Itself:
What are the elements of strength
of his nomination In the first place,
it means the abandonment of the
fraud pretence at the time when
the Republican party have had done
with the soldier cry it is taken up by
the Democratic party. Some acute
observer--Caleb Cushing, we believe
said during the war that one of its
consequences would be that the coun.
try would be ruled for the next forty
years by bulletoheaded generals. The
cynical remark had good deal of
truth in its presage of the popularity
OF military glory; but there have
been plenty of indications that the
country has had surfeit of it as con.
stituting claim to important civil
trusts. Its last force was expended
In the Grant movement which failed
the Democratic party now take it up
as the basis of their campaign. Gen.
Hancock is nothing but a gallant
soldier; his military reputation is
high one, but is of the second rank.
He was an able corps commander,
ranking with men like Warren, Sedg-
wick and Fitz John Porter, but be.
low Grant, Sherman, Sheridan,
Thomas and Mcclellan. He is en-
tirely unacquainted with legislative
work and the methods of civil ad-
minstration and if elected, the tone
of his administration will be impart-
ed to it by those whom he shall
choose for his advisers, and who will
really run the executive branch of
the government. His famous general
order No. 40, which he issued when
appointed military governor of the
district including Louisiana and
Texas, is understood to have been
written for him by Judge Jere Black.
His opinions upon the issues of the
day are no better than those OF any
other man whose distinction is apart
from politics. On such a subject as
the financial question, for instance,
he doubtless lacks the thorough un
understanding and force of convic-
ton which would make his ewn
personality factor in determining
the policy of the government. His
conduct will be determined by cir
cumstances and by the opinions of
his advisers. If elected. he will be
the fgure-head of his nomination
not its motive force. He is not a
leader of public opinisn whose nom.
inatien embodies certain principles
OF government of which he is the
known exponent. but is a follower of
his party, with a reputation and
popularity that are extraneous from
civil affairs. His nomination is the
appeal of the Democratic party to
the soldier vote. In its final ANALYSIS
1t is not craftsmanship, but dema.