The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-08-14
OFF THE FENCE.

Although Senator David DAVIS, by various
speeches IN the L. S. Senate, as well as more
distinctly in his Browning letter, had an
nounced with sufficient plainess ms adherence
to democratic principles, he was regarded as
too much on the fence" to hold that promi-
nencc Us presidential candidate IN the Gin
cinnati Convention which would have been
accorded HIM as pronounced democrat. APP
parcntly to prevent any further mlSconccption
on that score, Senator Davis has concluded to
step of the fence and take his place IN the
democratic ranks, not only by endorsing demo
cratic principles but by announcing hispurpose
to act with the party and support It's candi-
dates He has written the following admir-
bic letter:
BLOOMINGTON, H., Aug. my DEAR SIR:
The training and habits of my life naturally
lead me to prefer civilians to soldiers for the
great civil trust; but as parties are organized,
voters must choose between the candidates
they present or must stand aloot, Indifferent or
neutral, which no good citizen ought to do at
presidential election. have no hesitation
IN supporting Hancock for the best of all rea-
sons, to my mind, because his election will put
an end to sectional strife and sectional parties,
and will revive a patriotic sentiment all over
the land, which political leaders and factions
for sinister ends have sought to prevent. There
can be no permanent prosperity without pacl-
fication. Great as were the achievements Of
Gen. Hancock in war, his conduct in peace,
when IN command of Louisiana and Texas, in
1867, was still greater, and justly commends
him to the confidence of the country. That
was 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 current, for an
infamed partisan opinion was too ready to
condone excuses and to applaud oppression.
Gen lIancOck's order No. 40, in assuming
charge of the Fifth military district announced
that the right of trial by jury, the habeas cor
pus, the liberty of the press, the freedom Of
speech, the natural rights of persons and the
rights of property, must be respected. These
principles are the basis of free government,
and the proclamation of them by Gen. Han
cock stands out IN striking contrast with the
action of his superior, who soon after rebuked
and drove him from the command for ut
tering sentiments worthy of a soldier The
soldier, clothed with extraordinary power, vol
unfairly uncovered before the civil authority,
sheathcd his sword, testified his fidelity to the
constitution, and set an example of obedience
to law which will pass into history as his
soundest claim to distinction. The man who,
in the midst of the excitements of that stormy
period was cool enough to see his duty clear
ly, and courageous enough to execute 1t firm
w, may be 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 wlsest Of his time, with a
statesman's grasp OF mind and integrity OF a
patriot whom no sense of expediency could
swerve from his honest convictions.
A long and unchecked position OF power by
any party leads to extravaganza, corruption, and
loose practices. After twenty years OF dom
ination by the republicans chronic abuses have
become fastened on the public se.vice like bar
nacles on the bottom of stranded ship. There
is no hope of reform by leaders who have Gre
ated a system of maladmlnislration and who
are interested in perpetuating Its evils. Moth
ing short of the sternest remedy gives any
promise of effective reform, and the first step
toward it is In change of rulers. The gov
eminent must be got out of the ruts in which
1t has TOO long been run. New blood must be
infused in the management OF public Affairs
before relief cen be expected. The people de
mand change, and, being In earnest are like
ly to be gratitied. Very sincerely,
DAVID DAVIS.
To Hon. James Z, Harvey, Washington City