Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-09-04
us of the army. Truly your friend,
w. Il. SHERMAN.

: us of the army. Truly your friend
, w. L. SHERMAN.
J THE REPLY TO GEN. HANcocK's Is
. FAMOUS LETTER.
The answer of Gen. Hancock to
these lettert was published in the
ClarksvilIe CHRoNIcLE of Aug. IA.
HEADQUARTERS UNIrEp STATES Army
Washington, p. G., Jan. ?, 1877.
10 Gen. w. $. Hancock, Nelc York ;
DEAR GENERAL did not re-
ceive your most interesting letter of
December %, from Carondelet, Mo-,
till yesterday. ! ana very glad to
have your views an e.cte,lSO upon
subjects of such vital importonce.
Our standard opinions are mostly
formed on the practice of our prede-
cessors, but a great change was
made after the close of the civil war
by the amendments of the cOnstitu-
ton, giving to the freed slaves cer-
tain civil and political rights, and
empowering congress to make the
laws necessary to enforce these
rights. This power is new and alb
solute, and congress has enacted
laws with which we are not yet fa-
miliar and accustomed. See pages
34S, $40 and $50, revised statutes,
section 1889, edition 1874. AS a.
matter Of fact, / dislike to have our
army used in these civil conflicts,
but the president has the lawful
right to use the army and navy, and
has exercised the right, as he be-
lieves, lawfully and rightfully, and
our duty has been, and is, to sustain
him with zeal and sincerity.
AS to the presidential election, we
are in no manner required to take
the least action but to recognize him
as president whom the lawfully APP
pointed officers declare to be such
person. / hope and pray that con-
gress will agree on some method
before the day and hour arrives, but
in case of failure to elect by or be-
fore the 4th of March there will be
a vacancy in beth the offices of pres
ident and Yice-president, in which
event the president of the senate
becomes president pro ten9pore, and
new election will have to be held
under the law of 1892. ESee title
ILL.,, chapter l., pages 21, % and %,
revised statutes. 1t is well we
should compare notes and agree be-
fore the crisis is on us, but / surely
hope we may pass the ordeal safely |
and peacefully. / will be pleased to |
hear from you at any time.
w. T. SHERMAN.
GEN. HANCOCK'S REPLY.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OFF
THE ATLANTIC, New York, Jan, 2 III |
Gen. W. z. Sherman, United States
ArDzy, Washington:
GENERAL-An anonymous COM |
munication to the secretary of war,
dated Louisville, KY, December is,
1876, reached my headquarters on
the 9th of that month from the |
Office of the adjutant-general of the
army. 1t represents that in the
contemplated uprising of the people
to enforce the inauguration of Til
den and Hendricks, the depot at
Jeffersoville is to be seized; and is
expected to arm and clothe an Indi-
ana army of democrats. The in
dorsement of this communication,
made at your headquarters, dated
December "a, 1876, is as follows:
EoFFIcIAL coPY.1
Respectfully referred to Maj. Gen. W. S.
Hancock, commanding the division of the
Atlantic, who may draw company from
Gen. Ryan, commanding the department of
the south, and post 1t at the Jacksonville
depot, with orders to protect II against any
danger.
The terms of the Endorsement inn
ply an exerciseOf discretion on my
part which leads me to write you
before taking action. In my judg
ment there is no danger of the thing
the anonymous communicates sets
forth, or other kind, at Jefferson
vile depot, to justify a movement
of troops to that place. Such move
ment, it seems to me, would involve
unnecessary expense and would Gre
ate or increase tine apprehension for
which there is no real foundation.
There are no arms or ammunition
at Jeffersonville depot; and if such
force as is referred to could be raised
for rebellious purposes, it is not
likely that it would begin by rob-
bing the depot of army uniforms,
and, therefore, if there are grounds
for the action of the government,
see no danger in the delay which
will result from this presentation of
the subject to you. If, however, in
your better judgment, company
should be sent there, it shall be
promptly done as soon as you notify |
me to that effect. AS have already
said, / do not act at once, because
in your instruction you say 81 may
send a company tnere," which /
construe as leaving it somewhat dis
cretiOnary with me. returned on
the 31st of December, 1876, from st.
Louis. am very truly yours,
WINFIELD s. HANCOCK,
Major-Genera Commanding,