Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-08-14
JUDGE DAVIS ON HANCOCK.
A Patriot Who May be Trusted In
any Crisis.

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B~LooMINGrtN, ILL.,, August 4. 1880.
My DEAR 'SIR:-The training and the habits
OF my life naturally lead me to prefer civilians
to soldiers for the great civil trusts. But, as par
ties are organized. voters must choose between
the candidates they present. or stand aloof, in
different or neutral. which no good citizen
ought to do Ut q presidential election.
1 have no hesitation in supporting Gen. Han
cock, 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 po-
'litical leaders and factions, for sinister ends,
have sought to prevent. There can be no per-
manent prosperity without pacincation.
Great as were the achievements of Gen. Ham
cock In Wal. his conduct in peace, when in COM
mand of Louisiana and Texas in 1857. was still
greater, and justly commends him to the conf
dence of the country.
h. That was a time when passion ruled In the
public councils. and military power was exert
ed to silence civil authority. The temptation
was strong to sail with the rushing current, for
an lnhamed partisan opinion was too ready
to condone eAcesses and 10 applaud oppression.
Gen. Hancock's order No. 40. in assuming
charge of the Filth Military District, annOunc-
ed: 1.-The right of tIial by jury, the habeas
corpus. the liberty of the press. the freedom OF
speech, the natural rights Of persons. and the
rights OF property must he respected"
These principles are the basi of free govern
ment, and the proclamation of them by General
Hancock stands out IN striking contrast with
the action OF his superior, who soon after re-
buked and drove him from that command for
uttering nts worthy of all honor.
The soldier clothed with extraordinary power
H.
shenthed 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 distinction.
The man who in the midst of tie excitements
of that stormy period was cool enough TO see his
duty clearly. and courageous enough to execute
1t firmly, may be we'll 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 n states
mans grasp OF mind, ana with the integrity OF
a patriot. whom no sense q expsdiency could
swerre from his honest convictions.
Long md unchecked possession OF power by
any party leads to ex travagancs, corruption
and loose practices. After twenty years of dom
nation by the republicans, chronic abuses
have become fastened on the public service, like
barnacles on the bottom Of q stranded shin.
There Is no hope OF reform by leaders who
haV" created "a system OF maladministratioB
and who are interested in perpetuatiug its ev ills
Nothing short of the sternest remedy gives any
promise OF effective reform, and the first step
toward II Is IN II change of rulers. The govern
iheht must he got ont OF the ruts in which il has
long been run. New blood must be infused I'M O
the management OF public affairs before relief
can be expected.
The people demand n change, anil, being in
earnest. they ARE like To lie grarined.
Very sincerely, DAVID DAVIS
10 James E Harvey, Esq., Washington city