The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-08-12
JUDGE DAVIS ON HANCOCK.
Patriot Who May be Trusted in Any Crisis.

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.,, Aug. 4, 1880.
MY DEAR SIR: - The training and the
habits Of my life naturally lead me to
prefer civilians 10 soldiers for the great
civil trusts. BIT, as parties are or.
ganized, voters must choose between the
candidates they present, or stand aloof,
Indifferent or neutral, which no good
citizen ought to do at Presidential
election.
have no hesitation in supporting
General Hancock, for the best of all
reasons, to my mind, because his election
will put an end to sectional strife and TO
sectional parties, and will revive a
patriotic sentiment all over the land,
which political leaders and factions, for
sinister ends have sought to prevent.
There can be no permanent prosperity
without pacif1ation.
Great as were the achievements of
General Hancock in war, his conduct in
peace, when in command of Louisiana
and Texas in 1867, was still greater, and
Justly CommeldI him to the confidence
of the country.
That was a time when passion ruled in
the public councils, and military power
was exerted to silence civil authority.
The temptation was strong to sail with
the rushing current, for an inhamed
partisan opinion was too ready to con-
done excesses and to applaud oppres-
sion.
General Hancock's order No. 40, in as
suming charge of the Fifth Military
District, announced: the right of trial
by jury, the habea8 corpus, the liberty of
the press, the freedom of speech, the
natural rights of persons, and the rights
of property must be respected"
These principles are the basis of free
government, and the proclamation of
them by General Hancock stands out in
striking contrast with the action of his
superior, who soon after rebuked and
drove him from that command for utter
ing sentiments worthy of all honor.
The soldier clothed with extraordi.
nary power voluntarily uncovered before
the civil authority, sheathed his sword,
testified his flelity to the Constitution,
and set an example of obedience to law
which will pass into history as his
prOudest claim to distinction.
The man who in the midst OF the ex.
elements of that stormy period was cool
enough to see his duty clearly, and
courageous enough to execute it firmly,
may be we'll trusted in any crisis. His
letter to Genera Sherman, recently
brought to light, lifts General Hancock
far above the past appreciation of his
civil ability. 1t marks him as one of the
wisest of his time, with a statesman's
grasp of mind, and with the integrity of
a patriot, whom no sense of expediency
could swerve from his honest ConyiC- |
tions.
Long and unchecked possession of |
power by any party leads to extrava
gauCe, corruption, and loose practice.
After twenty years OF domination by the |
chronic abuses have be.
come fastened on the public service, like
barnacles on the bottom of stranded
ship.
There is no hope of reform by leaders
who have created a system Of maad
and who are interested in
its evils. Nothing short of
he sternest remedy gives any promise
)f effective reform, and the first step
;oward it is a change of rulers. The
Government must be got out of the ruts
n which it so long has been run. New
blood must be infused into the manage.
nent of public affairs before relief can
)e expected
The people demand change, and, be.
ng in earnest, they are likely to be
,rati6ed
Very sincerely,
DAVID DAVIS.
TAMEs E. HARVEY, Esq, Washington
City.