Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-05
4 SOLDIER IND 4 STATESMAN.

HANCOCK is nothlng but q soldier, say
the Republicans, and the sentence is taken
up and echoed and re-echoed throughout the
land by subservient partisan press that can
see no virtue, no excellence, in any man who
does not acknowledge the infalIibility of the
Republican party. The Democrats are proud
of the fact that Gen. Hancock is q soldier,
and still prouder of the fact that his record
as soldier is untarnished by single act of
cowardice or neglect of duty. More than
that, they can claim that their candidate is a
soldier who was always at the front, who led
instead of commanding his men, who was al
ways to be found where the bullets whistled
loudest and the iron hail fell thickest. He
was conspicuous in the face of the greatest
danger, and by his GOODNESS and personal
courage he saved many battle. Though
Sheridan checked one rout and turned it
into glorious victory, Hancock equalled
his achievement q score of times. He was
ever alert, untiring, regardless of his person
al safety, only anxious to defeat the enemies
of the government, and restore the union
of the States as bequeated to the keeping of
this generation by the fathers.
But Gen. Hancock is more than soldier.
He is citizen and statesman. Though
all his life long soldier, he never forgot
that he had a higher duty than that of bear
ing arms-the duty of maintaining the free
dom of the people under the laws and con-
stitution of the United States. He learned
to respect the laws in early youth; he learn
ed to appreciate their force when student
at West Point; he carried out the true theory
of free government when placed in COM
mand of the military department of the
Southwest. His historic order No. 40 should
be inscribed upon every Democratic banner
during the campaign. In it he gave utter
ance to these memorable words:
"The right of trial by jury, the habeas cor
pus, the liberty of the press, the freedom of
speech, the natural rights of persons, and the
rights of property must be preserved"
No statesman who lives upon American
soil can point to more brilliant record than
is comprised in that single sentence. 1t con-
tains the gist of republican government. II
fully merited the warm encomium it received
from Hon. jeremiah S. Black, that most dis
tinguished of constitutional lawyers and
purest of patriots Mr.. Black wrote to Gen.
Hancock in these words:
Yours is the first most distinct and most en-
phatic recognition which the principle of Amer
lean liberty has received at the hands of any
high officer in Southern command. It has
the very ring of the Revolutionary metal.
Washington never said thing in better taste
or in better time. It will prove to all men that
peace hath her victories not less renowned
than those of war" / congratulate you, not
because it will make you the most popular man
in America, for l dare say you care nothing
about that, but because it will give You through
all time the solid reputation of a true patriot
and sincere lover of your country, its laws,
and its government. This, added to Your bril-
liant achievements as soldier, will leave you
without rival in the affections Of all whose
good will is worth having, and give You place
in history which your children will be proud of.
Every word of compliment contained in
Mr.. Blacks letter is well deserved. Though
Gen. Hancock might have become dictator
of an empire by disregarding the laws of the
country, and would have been praised for do
ing so, he chose rather to throw away the
crown and prove himself worthy citizen as
well as true and patriotic soldier. No can
didate who ever asked the SURFACES of the
American people can claim as good right to
their support.