The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-07-02

the Reconstruction Laws Of Congress,
the absolute ruler Of two Siaics--
Louisiana and Texas. lie had the
power to remove civil Magistrates, to
suppress the local tribunals, to estab-
lish military commissions and to sus-
pend the civil laws. He continued
in this responsible position, with his
headquarters at New Orleans, from
November, 1867, until Morch l6,
1868. when, in consequence of Gener-
al Grants interference with his adj
ministration, he was relieved at his
own request. What he did during
these eventiul months was not as a
leader Of troops, but almost wholly
in the exercise Of his duties and au-
thority as the supreme Governor Of
the two States included within his iu.
risdiction. He has, therefore, not
only civil record, but such civil
record as is best calculated to illus
trate his character as a citizen and
his qualifications as statesman. Be
cause, being invested with powers
which subjected him to scarcely any
other restraint than his own discretion,
his administration must be considered
in more than an ordinary degree char
acteristic of the mental and moral
qualities of the man.
II will be remembered that at the
time General Hancock was appointed
to this position, Congress had parcel
ed out the South into a number Of
military despotisms, based upon the
assumption that the people Of that sec
ton of the Union had forfeited their
constitutional liberties. and had no
longer any civil rights which a mill
tary commander was bound to respect
But when General Hancock ASSUMED
personal command of his military
province. his first act was to issue an
official order from his headquarters at
New Orleans, proelaiming that the
Constitution had survived the war,
and was still the righiful inheritance
Of all the people.
This noble document is in the fol-
lowing words;
"IIEADQuARrERs 5ru MILITARY Ds'r, I
NEw ORLEANS, La, Nov. 20, 1867 {
l"General Orders, No. 40.
~. In accordance with General
Orders No. 81, Headquarters of the
Army, Adjutant Generals Office,
Washington, ID. c.. August "a, 1867,
Major General w. S. Hancock here
by assumes command Of the Fifth
Military District and of the Depart
ment composed of the States of Louis
lana and Texas.
"1I. The General Commanding is
gratihed to learn that peace and quiet
reign IN this department. 1t will
be his purpose to preserve this con
dition of things. As a means to his
great end he regards the maintenance
of the civil authorities in the faithful
execution OF the laws as the most eff
cient under existing circumstances.
SIN war it is indispensable to repel
force by force, and overthrow and de-
stroy opposition to lawful authority
But when insurrectionary force has
been overthrow and peace establish
ed, and the civil authorities are ready
and willing to perform their duties,
the military power should cease to
lead, and the civil administration
resume its natural and rightful do
minion. Solemnly impressed with
these views, the General announces
that the great principles of American
liberty are still the lawful inheritance
of this people, and ever should be.
The right of trial Ly jury, the habeas
corpus, the liberty of the pres, the
freedom of speech, the natural rights
of persons, and the rights of property
must be preserved.
Free institutions, while they arr
essential to the prosperity aud happi
ness of the people, always furnish the
strongest inducements TO peace aud
order. Grimes and oiienses commit
ted in this district must he referre,
to the consideration and Judgment 0
the regular civil tribunals, aud thos
tribunals will be supported in thei
lawful jurisdiction.
"Should there be violations Of ex
istlng laws which are not inquired in
to by the civil magistrates, or shoul'
failures in the administration Of jus
! tice by the Courts be complained Of
the cases will be reported 10 thes
headquarters, when such orders wi
be made as may he deemed necessary
"While the General thus Indicate
his purpose to respect the liberties q
. the people, he wishes all to under
, stand that armed Instruction of fol
! chile resistance TO the law will he ia
siantly suppressed by arms.
: "By command of
, "Major General w. 5. HANcOcg.
(Oficial.
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