Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-08-02

to decide or override.
Anyhow, it is no business Of The army to ca.
ter upon such questions, aud even if it might
b, 50 IN auy event. if the civil suthority is sa'
prcDc, as the Constitution declares it to be, the
South CarolioG case was one in which the army
had nlsiD duty. Had Gen. Ruger asked me
for advice, ard | bad given it, | should, cf
curse, have ucti6ed you Of my action immc.
dia,cy. So that it could havo been promptly
oveIru!cd ii i. should have been deemed ad-
visible Ey yju or other superior in authority.
Gen. Ringer cid not ask for my advice and 10.
tcrrCt from that sud other facts that be did not
dss!re it, CT itat, b.irg in direct commurica-
ton with my military superiors at tho scat CT
GoVromeut, who were nearer to him In time
cad distance than was, be deemed it uuneces-
ssry. As Gen. Ruger had the ultimate re-
sporsCiIl:y ct action. and had really the great.
CT danger to confront, in tho final eclon 10 the
matter, cid not venture to embarrass him By
suggestions. lle Hss department commander,
aud the lssful heal OF that military admins
trstiou Rthia tho limits of too department.,
hu!, besides knew that ho had been called to
Washington f1r CONSULTATION before taking com.
maud, acd vas probably aware OF views of tho
administration to the civil affairs in his com.
HaEd. kDaW that he was in direct commu-
nIcallon with my Supporters 10 authority 10 ref
erencn TO the delicate subjects presented for his
consideration, or had ideas Of his Own which
he believed to be sufficiently 10 accord with tic
views CT cur Common superiors to enable him
10 sct intolligently according TO his iuigmeot
ARD Without suggestions from thoso not on tho
spot and not ss fully acquainted with the facts
as hlusoi. lle desired. too, 10 be Iroo TO act,
as nc hal the eventual greater responsibility,
aud SO tho matter IVES eoverned az between
him and myself. AS have been Writing thus
freely TO sou may still further unbcsom my
sell BY stating thar | have not thought il law
tul or wise to use Federal Troops il such mat.
tiers as havo tlauspired cast Of the Mis- is'
slpDi within Ito last few months. save so ia. es
they may be brought into action uodcr tho ST.
to|c OF the Constitution which contomplates
meeting armed resistance or invasion Of State
D0re powerful than tho State authorities oan
snbduo by the ordinary processes, and then Only
when requested BY the Legislature, OF if it could
not DO convened 10 session by the Governor,
and when tho President of the United States
IntcrVeaes 10 that manner it is state Of war
not pace. Tho army is laboriog under disads
vautages and has been used unlawlully at times
10 tho judgment of tho people (in miuo CERTAIN.
yl and We have lost q great deal OF tho kindly
ee!lng which the community at large orco felt
Tor rs III is limo TO stop and unload" OF
GERS in command Of troops often ird it difficult
to aot wisely and safely when superiors in su.
thor!ty haVo different views of The laws from
theirs, ard when legislation has sanctioned 40
ton seemingly 10 coLlict with the fundamental
law, and they generally defer to the known
Judgment Of their superio;s Yet as the supe-
rlor officers Of the army arc So regarded 10 such
great crises, and era held TO such responsible
ty. especially those ct or nca: the head cf it,
that 1t ls necessary on such momentous ccoa-
slols to dare TO determine for themselves what
is lawful and what is not lawful under our sys
ten if tho military authorities should bs inr
vckod, as might possibly DO the case 10 such ex.
Optional times. when there existed such diver.
gent views as to the correct result. The army
will suffer from it's past acton, If il has actcd
Trone!uly. Our regular army has little hold
upon The affections Of the people of to day, and
its superior officers should certainly, as Tar as
lies in their power legally, and with righteous
intent, aim 10 defend the right which to u, is
the law ADD the institution which they repro.
sent. 1t is we'll meaning Institution, and it
would be well If it should have 40 opportunity
to be recognized as bulWark 10 support CT tho
rights of the neople and Of tho law.
I'm, truly yours.
WINFIELD s. HANCOCK.
10 Gen. w. /. Sherman, commanding army of
the United States, Washington. D. e.