The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-07-15
JUST PRAISE FOR HANCOCK.

The following was Andrew johnson S
message to congress, approving and prais'
ing Gen. Hancock's course as commander
of the military district of Louisiana ana
Texas.
"Gentemen Of the senate apd OF the house
of representatives: :,
IAN official copy of the order issued py
Major Genaral Winfield 5. Hancock, com,
mander of the Fifth military district dated
Headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana, on
tho goth day of November, has reached me
through the regular channels OF the war
department, and herewith communicate IL
to congress for such action as may seem 10
be proper in view of all the circumstances
ut will be perceived that Gen. Hancock
announces that he will make the law the
rule of his conduct; that he will uphold
the courts and other civil authorities IN the
performance of their proper duties, ana
that he will use his military power only to
preserve the peace and enforce the law. lie
declares very explicitly that the sacred
right of the trial by jury and the privilege
Of the writ of habeas corpus shall not DC
crushed out or trodden under foot. lie
goes further, and, in one comprehensive
sentence, asserts that the principles OF
American liberty are still the inheritance
of this people, and ever should De.
when great soldier, with unrestricted
power in his fellow men, voluntarily lore
goes the chance of gratifying his selfish
ambition, and devotes himself to building
up the liberties and strengthening the laws
of his country, he presents an example OF
the highest public virtue that human ma
ture IS capable of practicing. The strong
est claim of Washington to be first IN
war, first in peace, and first in the hearts OF
his countrymen," is founded on the great
fact that in all his illustr.ous career he
scrupulously abstaned from violating the
legal and constitutional rights of his fellow
citizens. When he surrendered his COM
mission to congress, the president OF that
body spoke his highest praise III saying
that be had "always regarded the
rights of the civil authorl-
ties through all dangers and disasters
Whenever power above the law courted his
acceptance, he calmly putt the temptation
aside. By such magnanimous acts OF for
bearance he won the universal admiration
OF mankind, and left name which has no
rivalin the history Of the world.
81 am far from saying that Gen. Han
cock is the only officer of the American
army who is influenced by the example of
Washington. Doubtless thousands OF them
are faithful devoted to the principles for
which the men of the revolution laid down
their lives. But the distinguished honor
belongs to him of beng the first officer IN
high command south of the Potomac, since
the close of the civil war, who has given
utterance to these noble sentiments in the
torn of military order.
II respectfully suggest to congress that
come public recognition of Gen. Hancock's
patriotic conduct is due, if not to him, to
the friends Of law and justice throughout
the country. Of such an act as his at such
time it is but fit that the dignity should
be vindicated and the virtue proclaimed, so
that its value as an example may not be lost
to the nation. ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, d. c. Dec. Is, 81"