The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-07-09

WHEN GEN. HANCSCK was nomi-
mated by the Cincinnati convention,
the republican editors rumnaged
through his long and brilliant record
il the hope of finding some dark
pages, but they failed. In their des.
peration, with deplorable inconsis-
tency, they revived and set afloat 8
silly falsehood in reference to his
connection with the execution of the
unfortunate Mrs. Surralt. They
threw the responsibility Of that judi
cial murder upon General Hancock,
forgetting that the republican party
alone is Chargeable with the crime,
and that be was simply the Officer
in command of the District
Of Columbia when the execution
took place. The republicans
have two purposes in view in trump
ing up this thing against Hancock,
the fret being to Offset the grave
charges that are being brought home
to their own nominee for the presi-
dency, aad the other to lessen Han
cIck's vote among the Catholics and
the ex-confederates. BuI neither OF
hese objects ID likely TO be accom-
plished, as the publication of the
charge has given the democrats an
opportunity to tell the facts and ex.
plain matters. thereby casting the
blame where it belongs and causing
Hancock to shine brighter than ever,
1t is fact that instead of seeking the
death of Mrs. Surratt the general did
ali be could to prevent it. because he
realized. as all have since &C
kpowledged, that her execution
Wculi be little less than
the murder OF an innocent
woman. It EGas.A military commits
sion, in the composition of which Gen.
Hancock formed no part, that tried
and convicted the unfortunate lady.
Il will be remembered that in her
case President Johnson suspended the
writ of habeas corpus, ordering Han
cock to refuse to obey it, when tho
writ had been granted, almost at the
risk Of his own life. by Justice WyIie,
of the Supreme Court OF the District.
In her petition for the writ, Mrs.
rattrepresented that she had been |
Illegally arrested, tried, and con-
demned to death by the military
authorities, while she was private
citizen holding 10 military position,
was inside the United States army
lines. and within INC i"risdie'iot2 Of
Eae civil tribunals and therefore en-
titled to Jury trial before the civil |
courts. General Hancock was served |
with the writ, and Immediately there
after with the following order:
Executive OFFICE, July 5, 1866.
To Major General W. S. Hancock,
Commanding, &C.;
I Andrew johnson, President of the |
Unit d States, do hereby declare that the
writ II hdbedS corpus has been hereto
fere Suspended in such cases as thi-, and /
I do hereby specially suspend this writ,
and direct that you proceed 10 execute
the order heretofore given upon t. e judg-
Inent Of the military commission, and
YOU will give this order in turn to this
writ. ASDAEw JoHNsos.
President.
It was then that Gen. Hancock
showed that he possessed a great and
q good heart. Hoping that the
President might releut some towards
the unhappy prisoner. the general
vent WITH the daughter of Mrs.
to the executive mansion, but
President johnson refused to see the
girl. But Hancock pleaded her
case in eloquent terms, though with
mt effect, as nothing would satisfy
he President except Mrs. surratt's
Even after that inter
view 90 anxious and hopeful was I
7snersl Hancock that johnson would !
,bsnes bis mind before it was too j
ate. that be kept line oil
messengers stationed between the exc 1t