Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-07-01

Int COuTSp JHe independent LII
New York are likely to pursue in the pending
presidential campaign is pretty well indicated
by The attitude taken by Mr.. George William
Curtis, the editor or H11iper's WeeflH, In regard
to the nominees OF the two national conventions
recently held. Whatever its course may have
been heretofore. there is now no uncertain sound
In the utteranceS of that paper in tire lting of
this subject. General Hancock" it says, "rep-
resents no policy, no issue, nothing but the
party which has nominated him. aud he VIII be
supported by those only who think that the
public welfare would be promoted by bringing
the democratic party into power Again:
General Hancock represents party without
program or policy, and with the most damag-
ing traditions. IL he has views upon
public questions, they are not knowp,
and his election as president would be leap I'm
the dark.
General Garfield on the other hand is pro-
nounctG BY Mr.. Curtis mot only citizen soldier
or distinction. but statesman OF wide expe-
rlence and S3gacity, OF unusual tact, leader OF
his party by signal ability. and a gentleman OF
unblemished character, who stands
for the best sentiment OF the party which has
always been Identified with the patriotism. the
intelligence, the free Industry, the progressive
spirit OF the country
II the discussions In the de mocratic party In
Y
domination, it is likely that the republican party
In that state will be not less closely united before
the election takes place, and it Is clear that II
an honest vote can be had In her great cities
Inc contest VIII be exceedingly close. There Is
no doubt OF the repubIicanism Of the state out
side OF New York and Kings county and IL only
those are allowed to vote there who have a legal
right TO dc so the chances now are that the
fhirty-fye votes OF the Empire state will be
cast for Garfield and Arthur In the electoral
college.
The weakest OF all the political campaign
stun so far launched upon the public this year
Is the effort made In some quarters to bring
Odium upon General Hancock on account OF his
connection as a military officer with the execu-
ton of Mrs. Surratt. While there Will probably
always exist differences of opinion as to the
propriety OF hanging Mrs. Surratt there cannot
De In the mind OF any intelligent and honestly
disposed person the slightest doubt as to the
propriety of General Hancock's course In the
premises. Whatever his feelings on the subject
may have been. he had nothing to do with the
Case but TO obey the orders of his superior Off
c9rs ana see that the same were obeyed by
Others under him. That was his sole duty. and
That he performed, as an officer always should
perform his duty, neither brutally nor In a
Spirit OF mawkish sentimentality calculated to
ieiect upon the Judgment or motives of his Off
eial superiors- OF the guilt or innocence OF the
unfortunate woman he knew nothing. and with
Lhat question he had nothing to do Neither
was lie In any wise responsible for her fate The
enort TO iDJure General Hancock by such means
cannot be successful, and they may as well be
abandoned at the outset OF the campaign.
It would De amusing to watch the average
democratic editor roll his tongue In his cheek
While he Is writing his articles denouncinp the
1nfamy OF collecting money from office-holders
for campaign purposes. He well knows the
hoiloWness OF his yirtuous Indignation, and he
AnoWs that the majority of his readers know
IL, 100; but he pounds away, all the same The
Iact i this practice Is as old with all parties as
Inc government Itself, and no political organi-
Zatlon has ever pursued IL anything like as
extensively, as Systematically or as effectively
as the democratic party. No matter what It's
present protests and protestations may be, If
any OF It's members expect, in case 1t comes into
power, to NIL fat Offices without helping to keep
up the organization, all We have to say is that
they will feel very sick when the next election
comes TO hand History repeats itself In politics
as In other things.
This Is the fraternal way the good Deacon
Smith. OF the Cincinnati Gazette, chronicles the
narrow escape from death by the Seawanhaka
disaster or his admiring friend the editor OF the
New York Sun:
satan came near foreclostng upon Chas. A.
Dana Monday evening. Another warning IN
may be the last"