The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-08-19
HANCOCK.
What Senator David Davis, Of Hin
cis, Thinks Of Him.

Senator David Davis has ad-
dressed the following letter TO "a
friend il Washington City:
DEAR SIR:-The training, and
habits of my life naturally lead me
TO prefer civilians 10 soldiers, for
the great civil trust, but as parties
@-c- ocs.-.i..ss,', voCers must choose
between the candidates they pre-
sent or must stand aloof indifferent
or neutral. which no good citizen
ought to do q: aPresidential election.
| have no hesitation in supporting
Hancock, for, the best of all reasons
tony mind, because his election viii
put sn end to sectional strife and
sectional parties, and will revive a
patriotic sentiment all over the
land, which political leaders and
factions Tor sinister ends have
sought to prevent. There can be
no permanent prosperity without
pacification. Great as were the
achievements of Gen. Hancock in
war, his conduct in peace, when in
command o: Louisiana and Texas
in 1867, was still greater, and great
ly eommends him to the confidence
Of the country. That was a 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 currents, for al
intiamed partisan opinion was too
ready to condOne eXcesses and to
applaud oppression.
Gen. Hancock's order No. 40, in |
assuming charge OF the Fifth Mill
tary district, announced the right Of |
trial by jury, the ha6eas corpus, the
liberty of the press, the freedom of
speech, the natural rights of per-
sons, and the rights of property |
must be respected. These principles
are the basis of free government,
and the proclamation of them by |
Gen. Hancock stands out In strik-
ing contrast with the action of mis-
who soon after rebuked
and drove him from that command
for uttering sentiments worthy of
soldier; the soldier, clothed with eX
power, voluntarily un-
covered before the civil authority,
sheathed his sword, testified bis
fidelity to the constitution, and set
IN example of obedience TO law
which will pass into history as his
claim to distinction. The
man who in the midst of the excite
ments Of that stormy period was
cool enough to see his duty clearly
and courageous enough to execute
It firmly, may well be trusted in any
crisis. His letter to Gen. sherman,
brought to light, lifts Gen.
Hancock far above the past appreci-
alton of his civil ability. 1t marks
lim as one of the wisest Of his
lime, with a statesman's grasp of
mind and the integrity of patriot
whom no sense OF expedieucy could |
swerve from his honest convictions.
A long and unchecked position of
power by any party, leads TO eX
corruption and loose
practice. After years of domina-
lion by the Republicans, chronic
abuses have become fastened on
,he public service like barnacles on
.he bottom of a stranded ship
There is no hope of reform by the
eaders who have created system
maladministration, and who are
Interested in perpetuatlng its evils.
short of the stornest rem
sdy gives any promise of effective
'eform, and the first step towards it
S in a change of rulers. The Gov
srnment must be got out of the
.uts in which it has too long run.
New blood must be infused in the
of public affairs before
relief can be expected. The people
demand a change, and, being in
earnest, are likely to be gratilied.
Very sincerely, DAVID DAVIS.
To Hon James Z. Harvey, Wash
ngtou City.