The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-08-14
JuIge Davis discusses General
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UnncOck'N Candidacy.
BLOOMINGTON, ILL.,, August 4th, lSsO.--My
Dear Sir: The training and habits Of my
life naturally lead me 60 prefer civilians to
soldiers for the great civil trusts. But as
parties are orgauized, voters must choose be-
tween the candidates they represent or
stand alool Indifferent or neutral, which no
good cidzen 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 a patriotic sentiment all
over the land, which political leaders and
factions, for sinister ends, have sought to pre-
vent. There can be no permanent prosperity
without pacifcation.
Great as were the achievements Of Gen.
Hancock in war, his conduct in peace when
in command of Louisiana and Texas in 1867
was still greater, and justly commends him
to the confidence Of the country. That was
time when passion ruled in the public
councils and military power was exerted to
silence civil authority. The temptation was
strong to sail with the rushing current, for
an inhamed partisan opinion was too ready
to condone excesses and to applaud oppres-
sion.
Gen. Hancock's order, No. 40, in assum-
ing charge of the Fifth Military Dstrict,a
nounced "the right OF trial by jury, the
habeas corpus, the liberty Of the press, the
freedom of speech, the natural rights o.
persons and the rights of property must be
respected"
These principles are the basis of free gov.
ei Sment, and the proclamation of them by
General Hancock stands out in striking con.
trast with the action of his superior, whr
soon after rebuked and drove him from that
command Tor uLtering sentiments worthy O.
all honor.
The soldier, clothed with extraordinary
power, voluntarily uncovered before the
! civil authority, sheathed his sword, testified
his fidelity to the Constitution, and set an
example Of obedience to law (which will pas:
into history as his prOudest claim to distinc
| ton.
The man who, in the midst of the excite
ment of that stormy period, was cool enough
to see his duty clearly, and courageou,
enough to execute it firmly, may be wei
trusted in any crisis. His letter to Genera
! Sherman, recently brought to light, lift
General Hancock far above the past ap
probation Of his civil ability. 1t mark
him as one of the wisest of his time
with statesman's grasp Of mind, anC
with the integrity of a patriot, whom IL,
sense OF eXpediency could swerve from
his honest convictions. Long and un
checked possession Of power by any part!
leads to extravaganza, corruption aud loos
practices. Alter twenty years Of DONNA
tion by the Republicans chronic abuse
have become fastened upon the public ser
vice like barnacles on the bottom of strand
ell ship.
There is no hope of a reform by leader
who have created a system Of NAL admins
tratIon, and who are interested in perpetu
ating its evils. Nothing short of the stern
est remedy gives any promise of effective re
form, and the first step toward it is in
change of rulers. The Government must b
got out of the ruts in which it has too lon
been run. New blood must be infused int
the management Of pubic affairs before re
, lief can be expected. The people deman
change, and, being in earnest, they are lik,
ly to be gratified.
Very sincerely, DAVID DAVIS.
Hon. James +. Harvey, Washington City.