Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-07-22
Hancock's General Ordor No. 40.
WHAT PRESIDENT JOHNSON THOUGHT AND
SAID CONCERNING II.
"Gentlomcm Of the Senate and House o
Representatives:

"GenHcmcn Of the Senate and Housc of
Representatives.:
''An official copy of tho order issued by
Major General Winfield S. Hancock, oom-
mander of tho Fifth Military District, dated
headquarters in New Orleans, La, on the
29th day of November, has reached me
through the channels of the War Depart
mcnt, and | herewith communicate it to
Congress for such action as may seem
to be proper in view of oil the ciroum-
stances.
cit will bo perceived that Gen. Hancock
announces that he will make the law tho
rule Of his conduct; that he will uphold the
courts and other civil authorities in the
performance Of their proper duties, and
that he will nee his military power only TO
preserve the peace and cnlolcc the law.
lie declares very explicitly that the sacred
right of trial by jury and tho privilege of
tho writ OF habeas corpus shall not be
crushed out or troddcn under foot. lie
goes iulthcr, and in ono comprehensive
sentence asserts that the principles of
American liberty are still the inheritance
of this people, and ever should be-
"Wbcn great soldier, with unrestricted
power in bis hands to opprcss bis fellow
men, voluntarily forcgocs the chance Of
gratifying his selfish ambition aud dcyotes
himself to the duty Of building Up the
liberties and Strengthening the laws of his
country, hc presents an example of the
highest public virtue that human nature is
capable of practicing. The strongest claim
OF Washington to be first in war, first in
peace and first in the hearts of lis country.
mem is founded on the great fact that in
all his ilustrious career he scrupulousy
abstaincd from violating the legal and
constitutional rights of his fellow citizens.
When hc surrendered his commission to
Congress, the President of that body spoke
his highest praise in saying that he had
always regarded the rights of the civil
author:les through all dangers aud disas-
tcrs.' Whenever power above the law
courtcd his acceptance, he calmly put the
iempia;ioo aside. BY such aagnanm Gus
acts Of forbcarancc he won the universal
udmiraliun of mankind and left name
: aich has TO rival in the history of the
world
81 am far from saying that General
Hancock is the only officer Of the American
army who is influenced by the example of
Washington. Doubtless thous ,nds of them
are faithfully devoted to tho principles ior
which the men of the Revolution laid down
their lives. But tho distinguished houor
belongs TO him Of being the first officer in
high command South of the Potomac since
the close of the civil war, who has given
uttcrncc to these noble sentiments in the
form OF military order.
81 respectfully suggest to Congress that
some public recognition of General Han
cocks patriotic conduct is due, if not to
him, to The friends of law aud justice
throughout tic country. Of suoh an act
Of his, at such II timc, i, is bu, fit that the
dignity should be vindicatcd and the virtue
proclaimed, so that is value as on example
may not be lost to the nation.
"ANDREW JOHNSON.
""asbington, D. c., Dec. Is, 1867"