Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1880-07-31
WASHINGTON HANCOCK.

WASHINGTON HANtbCh.
Grand historical names. suggestive
of the noble sacrifice and patriotic de
vo,ion of revolutionary sires. Here |
We fear the fitness of the association
ends. The democratic leaders with
fulscme flat,erv style Gen. W. s. Han
cock a second Washington. An un-
fortunate comparison to suggest. Very
Few men living or dead can sustain 4
contrast with that peerless American.
We have had few who compared ia
vorab!y with Washington in militia
" capacity, very few who have man.
ifested equal craftsmanship, and many
who have exceled him in oratory, but
no other has so fully combined all the
noble qualities essentialto the charac-
ter of a perfect American citizen. BY
following the contrast through only
few particulars the utter folly of the
comparison will appear. Washinston's
official introduction to public life was
in the most difficult part OF statesman
ship. diplomacy. He was sent, when
but twenty one years old, by Gov
Dinwiddie to negotiate with the
French commander ut La Boeut the
evacuation of the Ohio territory, claim
ed by citizens of Virginia. The most
serious mission ever yet undertaken in
America SAYS the historian. Such
was the qualities of the young man
that on reaching his majority che was
more spoken of than any other,
by cultured aristocratic Nirsinlans.
Gen. Hancock at his majority
was noted chiefly for having gradua-
ted at West Point, the eighteenth in a
class of twenty-five members, and hold
ing the appointment OF brevet second
lieutenant In the regular army. Elec-
ted member of the famous House OF
Burgesses when twenty SIX, Wash
ington was continued in this po-
sition until called to be a member OF
the first congress Of the colonies, leav-
ins this notable body of statesmen
only when unanimously chosen COM
mander in chief of the armies of the
revolution. OF him Patrick Henry
said when returning home from the
congress "a and75: "Ifyou speak
of solid information, and sound judge.
ment Colonel Washington is unques.
tionably the greatest man on that floor.
But time: space and the known famili'
arity of the reader with the events Of
of this great mans life, preclude
an extended notice. From the time
he received his first commission from
Gov. Dinwiddie until the farewell ad.
dress crowned his public career, his
great abilities and great service placl
MIN first among historic characters. As
a civil officer Gen. Hancock has had
but little opportunity to display the
qualities of a statesman ifhc possess.
cs them in any eminent degree. Surely
no one, unless an advocate of the
states rights view, will quote his adj
ADMINISTRATION in louisiana as a success
except as it pleased secessionists, ant
secured him honorable mention with
,aen who sought the overthrow of the
aational government: and has obtain,
cd asa reward the democratic nomi.
NATION for president
In q picture OF Hancock as states.
man, With Washington for the back.
ground, he is by contrast infinitely lii.
tie. aRut he has a superb military
record. = We grant that he did
as well while a corps commander as
b. some volunteers whose military train
ing began with the var, But there is
very little indeed TO compare with
Washingtons military career. mha,
audaclty. TO compare rs ali equal a
soldier educated At government ex-
pense, who after eighteen years service
Is able TO command 4 Brigade or even
Division and gallantly execute the
plans ola superior; with Washington
who unselfshly laid his vast estates
under tribute, refusing pay, and who
'or seven years planning and lead
ing every campaign in person, directed
and sustained so unequal contest,
fill crowned with victory.
Certainly these "states-rights" or
-'homc rule" democrats do not see in
Hancock's political views second
edition Of Washngton's. He was 1
Federalist standing with Jay. Madison