The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-08-14
Senator Davis Supports Hancock.


Senator David Davis, Of Illinois. formerl,
a Republican and iaisSrly an Independent
has written letter to Hon. James 4. Harvey,
Of Washington, declAr:ag his intention -
support Gen. Hancock for President. Below
We give his letter;
BLooMtSGroS, H., August 4, 1880.
Ny Dear Sir-rhe training and habits Of
my life naturally lead me to prefer civilians to
soldiers for the great civil trusts. But a.
parties are organized, voters must choose be-
tween the candidates they represent or stand
aloot, indifferent or neutral, which no good
citizen ought TO do at a 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 10
sectional strife, and to sectional parties, aud
will revive patriotic sentiment al over the
land, which political leaders and factions, for
sinister ends, have sought TO prevent There
can be no permanent prosperity without paei-
hcation.
Great as we're 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 eommends him to
the confidence Of the country. That was n
time when passion ruled in the public coun-
Gals, and military power was exerted TO silence
civil authority. The temptation was strong
to sail with the rushing current for an infiam.
ed partisan opinion was too ready to condone
excuses and to applaud oppression.
General Haneock's order No. 40, in assum-
ing charge Of the Fifth Military district, an.
nouneed;-"The right Of trial by jury, the
habeas corpus, the liberty OF the press, the
freedom Of speech, the natural rights of per.
sons and the rights Of property must be re-
spected.n
These principles are the basis Of free gov.
eminent, and the proclamation Of them by
General Hancock stands out in striking con
trast with the action Of his superior, who soon
after rebaked aud drove him from thar com.
mand for utterisg sentiments worthy Of all
honor.
The soldier clothed with extraordinary now.
er voluntarily uncovered before the civil au.
thority, sheathed his sword, testified his liael.
ity 20 the Constitution asd sot an example Of
obedience to law which viii pass into history
as his proudest claim to distinction.
The man who, IN the midst Of the excite
ments Of that stormy period, was cool enough
to see his duty clearly, and courageous enough
to execute Il hrinly, may be we'll trusted in any
crisis Hisletter TO General Sherman, recent
y 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 statcsman's grasp of mind and with the
integrity Of patriot whom no sense Of expe.
diency could swerye from his honest conyie.
tons. Long and unchecked possession of
power by any party leads to extravaganee,
corruption and loose practices. After twenty
years Of domination by the Republicans,
chronic abuses have become fastened upon
the public service ike barnacles on the bot.
tom Of q stranded ship.
There is no hope Of reform by leaders who
have created system Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
and who are interested in perpeiualing It's
evils. Nothing short OF the siernest remedy
gives any promise of effective reform, and the
first step towards il is in a change Of rulers.
The government must be got out Of the ruts
in which il has too long been run. New
blood must be infused into the management
Of public affairs before relief can be expected.
The people demand change, and, being in
earnest, they are likely to be gratihed.
Very sincerely, Dawn DAVIS.