South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-09-03
The Hancock Sherman Letters.

hem inscences oil taa Iass PgesldeDcal rrcnhies
| Political Rnmors Inrsnto1s Contrsd C.
ted-Shermsr's Views of the Situation or
1875, Etc.
a letter from Gen. Hancock (not in
Guided IN the published correspondence
expresses some uneasiness on account of
a newspaper report which he had seen
stating that he was to 10 ordered from
New York, and appears TO have furnish
ed the occasion for the following letter
from General Sherman
Headquarters Army of the United
States, Washington, Dec. II. 1876
Ny Dear General: Lest your peace of
mind may be disturbed by The foolish
report banded in the newspapers 81
bout your being ordered from New
York, l will tell you that there is not
o word of truth in it. Neither the
President nor Secretary of War has
ever animated to me such purpo se.
and l know / have never said word
or written syllable to tina. effect. !
see In the Republican Tof ST. Louis
that not only was the order made, bu.
that I'destroyed it and tore out the
leaves of the record book containing
the copy. The whole thing was and
is an invention by somebody who
wants to create sensation. The
same ia true about John Sherman IN
triguing to be President of the Senate
that he might be President ad interim.
He has told me that he has never
heard the subject preached that no
would not accept the place, IA ne pre-
fers to be what he is now, chairman
OF the Senate committee on finance. :"
The letter concludes: "No serious
changes in command are being con-
templated, aud when they are you
may be shre that will give you the
earliest notice. There are men, on
mischief intent, who would gladly SOW
the seeds Of dissarsion among US of
the army"
| REPLY To TIE cAHoNDELIT LETTER.
This letter is followed b. the Car
onde!et letter, to which Gen. Sherman
replied as follows;
Carbohydrates Army United States,
Washington, January 2, 1877.-Gen.
W. 5. Hancock, New York: Dear
General: I did not receive sour most
interesting letter of December % from
Carondelet, No, until Yesterday. !
am very glad 10 have your views in
cxtonso upon subjects Of eucn vital
Importance. Our standard opinions
are mostly formed OH tho practice of
cur predecessors but great change
was made after the close OF tire civil
war by the amendments OF the consti-
tuition giving to the freed slaves GER
tain civil ard political rights. and Gun
powering Congress 10 make laws ne
cesssry TO enforce these rights This
power is new and absolute, and Con-
gress has enacted laws with which we
are not yet familiar and accustomed.
| (See pages 348, 949 and $50, Revised
Statutes, section 1889, edition 1874
AS matter of fact, I dislilSe to have
our army used in these civil conflicts,
but the President has the lawful right
10 use the army and navy, and has
exercised the right as he believes law
fully and rightfulIy, and our duty has
been and Is to abstain him with zeal
| and sincerity. As to the presidential
| election we are in no manner requir-
ed to take the least action, but to re-
ccguiAe him SIS President whom the
lawfully appointed officers declare to
be such person. ihopc and pray that
Congress Will agree on some method
, before the day and hour arrive. But
IL case OF failure to elect b7 or before
the 18th of March therc viii be va
! cancy IA both Offices Of President and
VICE President. IN which event the
President ot the Senate becomes Pres
idenr pro ternpore, and new election
will have 20 be held under the law of
1892 (Seo title 3, chapter !, pages
21, % and % Revised Statutes.) 1T
is well we should compare notes and
agree before the crisis is on us. but
| surely hope We may pass this ordeal
safely and peacefully. / viii be pfoas-
ed to hear from you at any time.
w. I. SHERMAN"
DISPOSE No or FOOLISH RUM0R.
The next letter published is from
Gen. Hancock to Gen Sherman, dated
New York, Jan. 2. tits as follows:
Gen. w. Il. Sherman, u. s. Army.
Washington, D. C.-General: An
anonymous communication to the
Secretary Of War, dated Louisville,
Ky, December Is, 1876, reached my
headquarters on the 9th OF that
month from the office Of the Adjutant
General Of tho Army 1t represents
that i'll the contemplated uprising of
the people to enforce the Inauguration
Of Tilden and Hendricks the depot at
Jeffersonvillo Is to be seized and ia
expected TO arm and clothe the In
dian army OF democrats. The in
dorcemsnt on this communication
made at your headdnarters dated 10