Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-07-08
GEN. HANCOCK AND MRS. SURRAT.

SOME STALE ISLANDERS REFUTED..
A correspondent of the New York Herald
visited Bishop Keane, of the Catholic Church,
at Richmond, Va, Thursday, and asked him
if the charges as to Gen. Hancock's connec-
tion with the Surrat case would affect MIN
with the Catholics He answered that most
undoubtedly they would, and with Prctes.
tants as we'll as Catholics and all others, if
the truth were not told. Since these charges,
however, had been denied and had been dis.
proved as preposterous and false, he could
not see how Gen. Hancock could be affected
by them. The Bishop then referred to the
fast that Rev. J. A. Walter, pastor of St:
Patrick's Church, Washington, the spiritual
adviser and confessor of Mrs. Surrat, had
several months ago published card stating
in emphatic language that there was no truth
whatever in the charges. Bishop Keane was
the assistant of Rev. Mr.. Walter for twelve
years, up to the time he became Bishop OF
Richmond. The card referred to by Bishop
Keane was written November Is of last year.
and is as follows:
"Truth and justice compel me to deny the
statement with reference to Gen. Hancock's
participation in the execution of Mrs. Surratt,
which appeared in the Washington Posi- Of
this morning. I attended Mrs. Surratt on
that occasion, and met with no interference
on the part of Gen. Hancock. Gen. Han
cock had great sympathy for this unfortu-
nate lady, and waited until the last moment,
hoping for reprieve. I consider it an act
of justice to Gen. Hancock that this state
meht should be made. j. A. WALTER.
"Pastor ofSt. Patrick's Church, Washington"
A Washington dispatch to the New York
Herald, describing the reception of the news
of Gen. Halcock's nomination, says:
"The question of Gen. Hancock's position
in the execution of Mrs. Surratt was freely
discussed, and the General was in great
measure exonerated from doing anything
more than his duty as soldier.
"Mr. John T. Clampett, the only surviving
attorney for Mrs. Surratt, said to your cor
respondent thst Hancock was the best selec-
tion the Conve ,tion could have made. ~"lt is
a splendid nomination" said Mr.. Clampett,
with emphasis, and his part in the Surratt
execution will not affect him, as the Gener-
al only obeyed the orders of his superiors,
and that is recognized by all well-inforlned
Democrats. Gen. Hancock was not in the
courtroom during the entire time, and on
the morning of the execution came into the
penitentiary, and was met by me- Hancock
said II am carrying out the death sente ice,
and it is the most painful act of my life.
would rather take my chances on the battle
field, but I am a soldier and must obey or
ders." Rev. Father Walter, who was Mrs.
Surratt's spiritual adviser, said: III do not
desire to become mixed up with politics.
Gen. Hancock has letter which explains my
opinion of the part he took in the execution"
The New York World says that when
Gen. Hancocks attention was called, Thurs.
day, to paper containing charges against y
him in connection with Mrs. surratt's exc.
cution, he pronounced them downright
falsehoods, without one scintilla of founds-
tion." He added that he was not on the de:
fensive, having nothing to defend himself
from, but named Gen. F. A. Darr, of New
York, ex-Congressman Tarbox, of Massachu-
setts, and Others who knew all the facts, and
would quash such falsehoods.