The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-08-26
DAVID DAVIS FOR HANCOCK.
The Eminent Jurist,s Reasons for
supporting the Democratic NOmi.

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.,, Aug. 4, 1880.
My DEAR SIR The training and habits of
my life lead me to prefer civilians to soldiers
for the great civil trusts. But, as parties are
organized, voters must choose bstween tho
candidates they represent, or stand aloof, in
different or neutral, which no good citizen
ought to do at Presidential election. have
no hesitation in supporting Gen. Hancock, for
the best of all reasons, to my mind, because his
election will put an end to sectional strife and
to sectional parties, and will revive patriotic
sentiment all over the land, which political
leaders and factions for sinister ends have
sought to prevent. There can be no permanent
prosperity without pacifcation.
Great as were the achievements of Gen. Han
cock in war. his conduct in peace, when in COM
mHnd OF Louisiana and Texas in 1867, was still
greater, and justly commends him to the con-
hdence OF the country. That was q time when
passion ruled in the public councils and mill
tary power was exerted to silence civil author
ity. The temptation was strong to sail with
the rushing current, for an infamed partisan
opinion was too ready to condone excesses and
applaud oppression.
Gen. Hancocks order No. 40 in assuming
charge of the Fifth Military District, announced
1.-THE right OF trial by jury, the habeas corpus,
the natural rights of persons and the rights Of
property must be respected" These principles
are the basis of free government, and the proc
lamation of them by Gen. Hancock stands out
in striking contrast with the actions of his su-
perior, who soon after revoked and drove him
from that command for uttering sentiments
worthy of all honor. The soldier clothed with
extraordinary power, voluntarily uncovered be-
fore the civil authority, sheathed his sword,
testified his fidelity to the constitution and set
an example of obedience to law which will pass
into history as his proudest claim to distinc-
ton.
The man who in the midst of the excitements
OF that stormy period was cool enough to see
his duty clearly, and courageous enough to
execute it firmly, may be well trusted In any
crisis. His letter to Gen. Sherman, recently
brought to light, lifts Gen. Hancock far above
the past appreciation of his civil ability. 1t
marks him as one of the wisest of his time, with
statesmans grasp of mind and with the in
tegrty Of patriot whom no sense of expediency
could swerve from his honest convictions.
Long and unchecked possession of power by
any party leads to extravaganza, corruption and
loose practices. After twenty years of domina-
ton by the Republicans, chronic abuses have
become fastened upon the public service like
barnacles on the bottom of stranded ship.
There is no hope of reform by leaders who have
created system of maladministration and who
are interested in perpctuating its evils. Moth
ing short of the sternest remedy gives any
promise of effective reform, and the first step
toward it is in a change of rulers. The Gov
ernment must be got out of the ruts in which it
has too long been run. New blood must be in
fused into the management of public affairs be-
fore relief can be expected. The people de-
mand change, and, being in earnest, they are
likely to be gratifed. Very sincerely,
DAVID DAVIS.
James E. Harvey, Washington City.