Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-08-03
HANCOCK TO SHERMAN.
His Letter In Regard to the Action He
Would Take in Certain Contingencies
during the Campaign Of 1879
CARoNDtLEr PosroFFICE, |


CARoNDtLET PosTOFPICE,
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Dec. %, 1875. !
Ny DEAR GENgRAL-Your favor Of
the 4th inst. reached me in New York
on the 5th. the day before | lett for the
West. | intended to reply to it before
leaving, but cares incident to departur'
inleriered. Then, again, since my arri-
personal affairs OF business nature
that have deferred writing from day
To day until this moment, and now l
find myself in debt to you another letter
in acknowledgment Of your favor of the
18th, received a few days since.
have concluded to leave here on the
29th Ito morrow r. NJ, so that may be
expected in New York on the 3lst inst.
1t has been cold and drcary since my
arrival here. have worked "liEe a
Turk" II presume that means hard
work in the country, in making fences.
cutting down trees, repairing buildings,
&C., &c, and am at least able to FAY that
st. Louis il the coolest place in the win.
ter, as il is the hottest in summer, ofany
that have encountered in temperate
zone, have known st. Louis In De.
cerlber to have genial weather through.
out the month; tins December has been
irigid, and the river has been frozen
more solid than l have ever known 1t.
The Presidentia Inaugural Action.
When heard the rumor that was
ordered to the Pacific coast thought it
probably true, considering the past dis
cussion on that subject. The possiblli-
ties seemed to me to point that way.
Had it been true should, OF course,
have presented no complaint nor made
resistance OF any kind. | would have
gone quickly ii not prepared to go
promptly. | certainly would have been
relieved from the responsibilities and
anxieties concerning Presidential mat
ters which NAV fall to those near the
throne or in authority within the next
four months, as well as from other Incl
dents or matters which could not con-
trol and the action concerning which |
might not approve. | was not exactly
prepared TO 20 to the Pacific, however,
and | therefore felt relieved when | re-
ceived your note informing me that there
was no truth in the rumors.
The Army Has Nothing to Do with se-
lecting President.
Then did not wish to appear to he
escaping from responsibilities and posi-.
ble dangers which may cluster around
military commanders in the East, espe-
ciallv i'm the critical period fast approach
ing. "All's well that ends well" The
whole matter of the Presidency seems to
me simple and to admit Of peaceful
solution. The machinery for such con.
tingency as threatens to present itself
has been all carefully prepared. 1t only
REQUIRES fabrication, owing to dis
use. The army should have moth.
ing TO do with the selection or
of Presidents. The peo
pIe elect the President. The Congress
declares in a joint session who he is.
We of the army have only TO obey his
mandates, and are protected only IN
so doing so far as they may be lawful.
Our commissions express that. | like
JeffarsOn's way OF Inauguration; 1t
suits our system. He rode alone on
horseback to the Capitol Il fear it was
the "Old Capi,ol') tied his horse to
rail fence, entered and Was duly sworn,
then rode TO the Executive Mansion and
took possession. He inaugurated HIM
self, simply by taking the oath OF office.
There is no other legal Inauguration
in our system. The people or pol
iticians may institute parades in honor
of the event, and public officials may
add to the pageant by assembling troops
and banners, but all that oniy y comes
properly after the inauguration, not be-
fore: and i: is not part OF 1t. Our sys-
tenn does not provide that one President
should inaugurate another. There might
be danger III that, and 1t Wa, studi'
ous,v LETT out OF the charter. But you
are placed in an exceptionally impor-
tant position in connection with coming
events. The Capital is in my lurisdic.
ton also, but | am a subordinate, and
no, on the spot, and il l were, 30 also
would he my superior in authority, for
there is the station OF the Commander
in-Chief.
Who Is to Decide.
3 On the principle that a regularly elect
el Presidents term OF office expires
with the 81 of March (of which | have
not the slightest dorb0. and which the
laws bearing on the subject uniformly
recognize, and in consideration OF the
possibility that the lawfully elected
President may not appear until the 9th
of March, a great deal OF responsibility
may necessarily fall upon you. You
hold over. You will have power and
prestige to support you. The Secretary
of War, too, probably holds over, but ii
no President appears he may not be
able 10 exercise functions in the name
OF President, for his proper acts are
thosa of a known superior-a law
full President. You act on your own
responsibility and By virtue 81 . com.
mission, only restricted BY the Law. Ins
r 49, m n Mae oil Z