The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-08-18
Judge Davis Oh Hancock.
A Patriot who May be Trusted in Any Crisis.

BLooMINGToN, Ill.,, Aug. I, 1890.
Ny DEAR SIR: The training and
the habits of my life naturally lead me
to prefer civilians to soldiers for the
great civil trusts. But, as parties are
organized, voters must choose between
the candidates they present, or stand
aloof, Indifferent or neutral, which 20
good citizen ought to do at Presi-
Dental election.
I have no hesitation 10 supporting
Gen. Hancock, for the best of all
reasons, to my mind, because his elec
tion will put an end to sectional strife
and to sectional parties, and will re-
vive a patriotic sentiment all over the
land, which political leaders and fac
tions, for sinister ends, have sought to
prevent. There can be no permanent
prosperity without paci6cation.
Great as were the achievements Of
Gen. Hancock in war, his conduct in
peace, when in command of Louisiana
and Texas in 1867, was still greater,
and justly commends him to the con
idence of the country.
That was time Wien passion ruled
iu the public councils, and military
power was exerted to silence civil au-
thority. The temptation was strong
to sail with rushing current. for an To-
famed partisan opinion was too ready
% condone excesses and to applaud
oppression.
Gen. Hancock's order No. 40, in
assuming charge of the Fifth Military
District, announces The right of
trial by jury, the habeas corpus, the
liberty of the press, the freedom of
speech, the natural rights Of persons,
and the 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 Gen. Hancock stands out
in striking contrast with the action of
his superior, who soon after rebuked
and drove him from that command
for uttering sentiments worthy of all
honor.
The soldier clothed With eztraordi-
nary power voluntarily uncovered be-
fore the civil authority, sheathed his
sword, testified his fidelity to the Consti-
ttuiou, 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
excitemeuts 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 Gen, Sherman,
recently brought to light, lifts Gen.
Hancock far above the past apprecia-
siou of lis civil ability. It marks him
as one of the wisest Of his time, with
statesman's grasp Of miud, and with
the integrity of patriot, whom no
sense of expediencY could sWer7e from
his honest convictions.
Long and unchecked possession of
power by any party leads to extrava-
gauce, corruption, and loose practices.
After twenty years Of domination BY
the Republicans, chronic abuses have
become 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 a system Of malad-
rninistration, and who ore interested in
perpetuating its evils. Nothing short
of the sternest remedy gives any prom.
ise of effective reform, and the first
toward it is in change of rulers. The
Government must be got out Of the
ruts in which it has too long been
run. New blood must be infused into
the management of public affairs be-
fore relief can be expected.
The people demand change, and,
being in earnest, they are likely to be
gratifed.
Very sincerely,
DAVID DAVIS.
JAMES Z. HARVEY, Esq, Wash
ington City.