National Republican., 1880-07-14
THE MILITARY GROUPING FOR THE
SPOII.G


We are now told that General HANCOCK
is to hold on to his commission. We are
also told that General HANCOCK treated
the suggestion of his resignation with a
certain significant levity; that that levity
displayed itself in hearty laugh" and
was accompanied with complete reticence
on his part.
We are not disposed to debate the pro-
priety of his resignation, nor to inquire
into the wisdom of tho one step or the
other. We do not think that the country
demands, Or that modesty or sagacity
should dictate q resignation. That Is n
matter of personal taste with the general,
with which, in our opinion, the great con.
stituency is not inclined to interfere.
Nevertheless, the manner in which this
subject of the resignation Of the military
commission has been disposed of magnifies
the military feature of the canvass so far =;
and this, when cou pied With other impos-
ing developments, authorizes the conclu-
sion that General HANCocK's ndministra-
ton would be co nspicuously military.
That military feature of the present con-
gress, as displayed in the appearance there
of the southern brigadiers," though strils-
ing, is yet small affair when compared
with the newspaper crayons which now
daily appear presenting tho gallery of as
piring generals. The democratic party are
now grouping fol- the spoils, and thus the
generals rush to the front with character
istic impetuosity and just now that front
is emblazoncd with the ensigns and trap
pings of military display. Note the fol-
lowing:
NEW YORK, July 9.-In pursuance of call a
meeting was held at the Astor house to-day,
having for its object the formation of Ma
tional Hancock Veteran association, to be
composed of ex-soldiers and sailors, without
reference to political association. Among those
present were the following gentlemcn Gov.
ernor MCCLELLAN of New Jersey, Major.Gen.
eral w. b. FRANKLIN, Major General II. W..
SLoCUM, Najor-Gcneral JAMES MCQUADE,
Brigadier- General MULHoLLAND, Majo Con.
eral WOODWARD, Major-Goneral JOHN LowEY,
| Mai General ID. N. Couch, Brigadier- Gem
| eral b. Il. OSDERDoNK, Major.General WILL.
lam +. SMITH, Colonel w. G.. VANCE, Majors
| BURRITT aud HARDcAsTLE, Captain J. f.
| KENNEDY, Colonel PETER BowE, General
| F.
| Dow, Major MALONE and Major JOSEPH II
STINER. General WILLIAM f. SMITH was
called to the chair and Major STINER was
named rs secretary General SMITH briefly
SGT forth the objects Of the gathering, and said
IL was intended to form q central organization
! Of veterans of the late war and to establish
clubs in every city and town of the north aud
west Ex-soldiers irrespective of party, are
to bo invited to join tho organization, the
| only qualification for membership being q
| pledge 10 support General HANCOCK for presi.
dent. General SMITH was empowered to up.
| point committee TO procure rooms for the
club, to bo kept open during the summer
months, and tho meeting adjourned.
1t is quite evident from this picture that
the state of profound peace in which we
now find ourselves as u nation is II mos
unfortunate one. The restlessness of mill
tary men when the sanguinary occupation
is suspended is clearly developed here
| There is nothing to do in the field, and i
is terrible 70 rust out in un happy quietqde
in the restless inactivity Of uninvitinl
quarters; thus ambition is clogged, ant
high aspiration is forced TO waste itself il
the consuming leisure of gloomy barracks
amidst lassitudo and languor-than which
nothing could be more dstasteful to tht
military tribe. Hence this glitterng as
semblage, this long array OF high-souudinl
titles-not the less significant because 0
the fact that it invites rally erclHsirel
military with an express rejection of al
political affiliatlon, thus proclai ming in ad
vance that the epaulette aud the spur arr
to rule the hour. Hence the military
feature of the canvass becomes at onc
amazingly prominent, and the mind of the
civilian is forced to contemplate the pos
sible contingency of the speedy inouguro.
| tion of military despotism.