The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-10-02

ofnO Hope for Holders ofi'Rsbsl Claims.''
New YonK, Sept. 24.--Gen. Hancock has
written a letter ON the subject Of war claims,
IN reply to letter from Theodore Cook, Of
lows:
" "eFnainnaii, Sept. 20, 1ssO.-Gsn. W. s.
Hancock, Governors Island, N. Y.-Dear
Sir :-l enclose slips cut froun the Gazette
and Commercial, Of this city, both Of them
newspapers Of large circulation and influence
IN Ohio aud Indiana, referring, as you will
see, to the much-harped upon subject in our
politics Of rebel claims. These newspapers
ana republican stump speakers are constant
Y asserting that Il you are elected President
the claims Of disloyal people OF the South
Tor losses sustained In the war will be allowed
and paid by the United States. They further
direct special attention TO the fact that this
charge has been made against the democratic
party and that you, its candidate for Presi-
dent, have not denied il. This warfare is
made In all seriousness and maintained with
great earnestness, and repeated day after day
IN the press and in speeches. You are kaown
70 the country as a frank, honest soldier, now
the representative Of the democratic party,
and having right to speak for il. Whatever
! you may say the people will hear and believe.
submit the matter to your good judgment az
to what you should say or whether you should
make any public utterance at all. Very re-
sPeeuuiiy, yours, THEODORE Cook"
Gen. Hancock replied as follows:
= AGorernor's s Island, NJ T., Sept. 20, 1880.
10 Theodore Cook, Esq, Cincinnati, Ohio.
dear Sir;--Your letter Of the both instant
has been received. | regret that you are
disturbed about that bugbear, nSouthern war
claims" The people cannot be mised by it.
10 suppose that 'rebel claims, or claims ia
the interest ofpersons who were in rebellion,
can IN any way or in any degree be counte.
nanced IS an imputation Of disloyalty such as
used 70 be made against democrats, even
when they were in arms defending the eonn-
ary' 30 TAR as 1t touches me ! denounce il.
he government can never pay debt or
grant pension or reward of any sort for
w-ging war upon its own existence, nor could
be induced to approve or encourage pay
ment OF such debt, pension or reward. No
BODY expects or wants snch unnatural action.
o propose Il would be an insult to the intel.
iigence and honor OF our people. When re.
J belbon was crushed the heresy of secession IN
every form and in every incident went down
forever. IL is thing Of the dead past. We
: move forward, not backward. II / were
President would veto all Legislation which
might come before me providing for the con.
-"N" VI Payhfcnt Vi Chains OF any Kind
Tor losses or damages by persons who were In
rebellion, whether pardoned or not. In rela.
hon to Union war claims, the government,
obligation to its defenders come first. They
are lasting and sacred. Thepublic laws o
civilized nations do not in general recognize
a claims for injuries to property resulting from
the operations Of war. Nevertheless our gov
a ernment has treated with great indulgence ths
! claims fer losses and damages suffered b,
: Union men from the military operations o
q q the war Of the Union. But as hostilities wer,
a closed more than fifteen years ago, claims o
,hai nature-now mostly in the hands o
brokers or persons other than the origina
q satlerers--are becoming stale, and, in m,
) Judgment, might fairly be considered as barre,
BY the lapse Of timo, and If hereafter enter
"a tanned at all should be subjected to the strict
. est scratiny. Yours, very truly,
= WINFIELD S. HANCOCK