Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-30
Hancock and the SasrrGtt EScecWtiO let
ter from Maj. HaItechc.


ter from Maj. Hatteckc.
Maj. Wedderburn, we'll known editor ct
Washington, has received the following let
ter from Maj. Halleck, of the army, on the
subject of Mrs. Surratt's executions:
EUREKA, HUMBOLDT BAY, Cal, July 4,
I880.-George @. Wedderburn, Esq, Wash
ington, D. C.-My Dear Sir: You may de-
pend upon it was glad to hear of the non-
ination of Gen. W. S. Hancock. You know
he was my favorite when candidates were first
talked of. am really sorry that some of the
Republican papers in the East and on this
coast exhibit SO much anxiety concerning
his nomination, and are claiming that he
cannot secure the Catholic vote Of the Dem
ocratic party on account of his connection
with the prosecution and execution of Mrs.
Surratt. Now they seem to wish to forget
that 1t was a military commission composed
almost entirely of Republicans, appointed
by Republican President and secretary of
war, who tried, convicted, sentenced, and
ordered the execution Of the unfortunate
Mrs. Surratt. They do not care to remem-
Der that it was Gen. John F. Hartranft, late
Republican governor of Pennsylvania,
the lately appointed collector of the
port of Philadelphia, who was the
commanding officer of the old penitentia,y
or arsenal building where Mrs. Sprratt and
the conspirators were confined, tried, con-
victed, sentenced, and executed. Although
young | was commanding a company of the
Tenth regiment veteran reserve corps, and
stationed at Washington during the exciting
period, and was on several occasions detailed
as officer of the inside guard placed over
Mrs. Surratt and the conspirators, and was
frequently present when Gen. Hancock visited
the prison, and remember we'll his humane
instructions regarding the treatment of Mrs.
Surratt and the other prisoners, and it was by
his instructions that they were permitted to
leave their cells for daily exercise and air in
the large yard of the prison, and also that
many comforts were added to the room occu-
pied by Mrs. Surratt. So far as spiritual
advisers were concerned ali were treated
alike, and with marked consideration. Ii
Gen. Hancock had anything to do with the
prosecution of that unfortunate lady ii is
news to sme. No one ever thought 80 dur
ing the trial, but knew well it was conducted
by the secretary of war and Gen. Baker and
his detectives. General Hancock was
not o member of the military
commission or reviving authority.
The political opponents of Gen. Hancock
must find consolation in some other quarter,
for they can never convince the Catholic
people of the United States that soldier
with his record could be connected with
this case except in his capacity of division
commander, and acting under orders from
higher authority, From my knowledge of
Gen. Hancock I think of him, as the poet
describes the true man and soldier:
The bravest are the tenderest,
The loving are the daring.
Propose to work on this coast and where
ever l can be most useful in the campaign
for the success of Hancock and English.
Gen. Hancock will be elected, take his seat
and be President of the whole United States
not section of it. He will receive
large majority of the votes of ali true
soidiers-those who have sense to realize
that the war is over, and who desire
to bring about that friendly feeling be-
tween the sections SO necessary in order to
have united country in fact as we'll as in
name. Hancock clubs are organizing rapid
ly all over this coast. and | certainly believe
the Pacific States will all BE carried by him.
I will be east before election, and home in
time to vote, for | would go twice as far to
vote the Democratic ticket this year. Yours
very sincerely.
WALTER T. HALLEoK, United States Army.