Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-29
General HancOck's Letter.

The persistent and effective fire of the
Republican batteries has at length forced
the commander-in-chief of the enemy to
hang out flag of truce. We publish in an
other column General Hancock's letter on
southern claims, extorted from him by the
effective presentation to the country of the
record of the party whose presidential can
didate he is, on subject vitality affecting
the material prosperity of the nation. Gen
eral Hancock, in publishing this letter, pays
the highest compliment to the effectiveness
of the Republican campaign, while at the
same time by shrewdy displaying his col
ors he silences one of the most powerful bat
teries OF his enemy; for, so far as he is con-
cerned, the rules of politics as well as war
will not justify further attack in that
direction. But the letter changes nothing
1t does not unmake the record of his party
on the subject and it does not withdraw the
twenty-four hundred millions of dollars in
claims now actually pending before congress.
1t is clever trick, shrewd playing of a
strong card to obtain a powerful advantage
at critical stage of the game. It is for
effect on the approaching October elections.
General Hancock's nomination was a mask,
and this letter is a masquerading device to
help his party out of most uncomfortable
situation. 1t will deceive no one, and be-
yond gratifying his followers and giving
them an opportunity to beat the party gong
after they had dinged all the noise out of it
over the Maine fiasco, will have no effect on
the campaign On two subjects the Demo
cratic nominee has now defined his position
he is Greenbacker and is personally OPP
posed to the payment of the southern
claims. By diligent application of the
pen his views on some other equally impor-
tant points may at this rate find expression
before the day of election. There is another
view of this matter. General Hancock 3
tenure Of the presidency will be limited
admitting that he will receive the election
Democratic utterances have plainly indi
Gated their purpose that once in power they
will take measures TO perpetuate their
power. Now, common prudence will teach
them to proceed cautiously in the execution
of their schemes. More than one term Of
the presidency would doubtless elapse be
fore they are fully consummated. Genera
Hancock may be succeeded by a president
who would not find it necessary TO make
any pledges, either on the question of tn,
southern claims, the constitutional amend
ments or any other. The party has beer
on both sides of all these questions ant
would be consistent, Economically, in fol
lowing almost any line of action, except al
honest one, they might elect 10 pursue
General Hancock's successor may chance u
be southern man bound by no pledges Il
refuse his signature TO bills for paying south
ern claims. Franklin Pierce was elected
president on the most solemn pledges that
the compromise measures Of 1920 and 1856.
should be held forever sacred. The part,
mandate demanded and obtained his sigma
ture TO the repeal of the Missouri compro
mise. Who shall say that Hanoock's pledges
honestly given and intended no doubt, will
more firmly Withstand the stress of part,
importantly In the light of the Demo
cratic record, he who leans for one moment
on pledge of candidate or the party re
poses on broken reed-broken not one,
but many times, and war and human woe
have been the legacy Of their broken prom
Uses. Republicans, be not cheated by thi
ruse OF the enemy.