American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-10-16
THE SOLDIER.STATESMAN.
The Eminent Qualifications of Gen. Han
cock for the Presidency-Why the Coun-
try Demands a Change.

try Demands n Change.
The following are the principal points of a
speech recently delivered by the lion. e. c.
Bonney, OF Chicago, at Morris, ILL.,:
FELLOW CITIZENS: 1t is sometimes said that
the voice of the people is the voice of God, but
this is SO only when the people love justice
the door through which wisdom enters the
mind; and zeal in good works is one of the
sureSt roads to correct opinions. One of the
most potent means of securing a just result at
a popular election is the public discussion of
people. But such discussion should be
something higher than a public entertain
hearers, and endeavor to lead them by reason
to Just conclusions.
It is safd and presume with entire truth,
that there are large numbers of citizens who
have not voted for many years. 1t is certainly
true that there are many young men who are
President of the United States. The question,
"What ought these men to do?' is a
SERIOUS AND IMPORTANT INQUIRY,
involving interests and duties of very ex-
allied character. Should they vote for Han
cock, or Garfield, or not at all? To answer
state of the country and the attitude and
probable future course of the cOntending
Is vast Subject aisite too great and too cons
plicated to be treated fully in any single dis
poets may easily be considered on the present
occasion
Let us first direct our attention to the ma
ture of the Presidential Office, and the qualfi
cations OF Gen Hancock to discharge its du-
ties; and then consider some of the public in
terestS involved in the ensuing election. 1t is
manifest that the qualifications for every
position depend upon and should CORE,
that mere ability and general accomplish
ments are quite distinct from specific quaiih-
not necessary that the President of the United
States should be brilliant novelist, nor a
skillful chemist, a gifted painter, nor a
genius All these characters are eminently
would succeed as a house builder should learn
the house builders art. He who would attain
success as Judge should acquire the judicial
method of investigation and decision. And
he who would successfully administer the
powers and duties. and have the peculiar
qualifications required for their efficient ex-
ture of the Presidential authority; and what
are the specific powers and duties which be-
The ofiice of President of the United states
is created by the National Constitution Its
1uales are there aehneu us powers are mere is
tinct and relatively independent domain.
With the legislative authority, and the Judi
cial power. it constitutes the supreme trinity
of civil government. Each is paramount
within the limits of its own sphere. and it is
authority of both the others. Now what are
the specific duties of the Presidential office?
They are not Legislative, for the law making
authority is vested in a Senate and House
OF Representatives. They are not judicial, for
Court and such inferior courts as Congress
may from time to time Ordain and establish.
But they are executive; for the Constitution
expressly declares that " the executive power
shall be vested in a President of the United
States of America"
After giving at some length the meaning of
the term executive powers" as defined by
the most eminent authorities and rs pre-
scribed by the Constitution, the speaker con-
tinued:
Such are the powers and duties of the Pres
ident of the United States. mere enumera-
prehensive and commanding ability; n ma
ture knowledge of the nature of the Govern
and accurate Judgment poWerfSI viii land and
an all prevailing patriotism and love of just
ice. The President need not be an accom-
plished legislator nor a learned Judge. The
Constitution provides other places for such
lowed With the ability to order and direct the
affairs with which he is required to deal; and
should be able to command the respect and
affection of the people. as well as to direct the
vast and varied operations of the Executive
Department throughout the Union.
GEN. HANcOCK's QUALIFICATIONS.
Let now see how far Mai. Gen. Winfield
Scott Hancock possesses the qualifications re-
CURED Tor the exercise of the great powers
and the discharge of the high duties 1 have
described belonging to the Presidency of
the United States. That he has eminent nat
ural abilities. and that he has applied them
with singular success to the service of the
country, his National reputation sufficiently
attests. That he has been a profound student
of the Constitu lion, and has a much more ac-
curate knowledge of the nature of State and
their resnective nowers' than the ayeraoa
"eminent statesmen" Is evident from his
orders as Military Governor of Louisiana and
Texas. his correspondence with Gen. Sherman
and his letter accepting the nomination for
the Presidency. That he has the supreme
ton, sound judgment, decisive action, per-
sonal courage and readiness to take and
fold public testimonials, which have become
Il part of the history of the country. That he
dupe of scheming politicians, and that If
elected to the Presidency he will be Chief
is plain from every recorded act and utter.
ance of his public career. That he will re-
main true to his great reputation-that he
will preserve inviolable every just result of
victory over secession and rebellion-that he
Will promote to the utmost of his power the
complete restoration of fraternal relations
throughout every part of the Union, that he
will take care that the laws shall be faithfully
executed and obeyed I'm all sections of the
country alike, that he will promote the pros
perity of every business interest and will
maintain the present sound financial system,
conforming its administration more and
more to the rule of "honest money!" is as
certain as the law that "a tree is known by its
fruits"
Gen. Hancock was educated at the National
Military Academy. He breathed there the in;
spring air of National power and glory, and
learned the duties of command and of obedi-
ence. He was schooied there In the grand
sake of the people, and that its duties are cpl
tomized in the oath of its Commander in
Chief, to preserve, protect and defend
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
ously does not mean the instrument which
declares the organization and powers of the
dained and established by the people of the
United States ito form more perfect union.
provide for the common defense, promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty" Union, Justice tranquility. defense,
general welfare liberty! Nobler words never
dec AIRED the object of human government,
and the great charter of National authority
which follows them stands to day, as on the
day of its completion, the wisest ana most
effort of mankind to establish a
government of the people, by their own rep
resentatives freely chosen and accountable
for their acts. A sincere love of this Govern
ment, and familiarity with the charter /
which declares and establishes it, are among
the first qualifications to be sought in a Presi-
Dental candidate; and they are confessedly
among the characteristics of
Gen Hancock.
visited all sections of the country. and has 4
personal knowledge of the peculiaritics and |
and taking no part in active politics, !
his observations have been impartial, and his |
of the nature extent and limita- |
tions of the great powers of government and |
soldier statesmen That he is a statesman, (
in the highest sense of the term. may readily |
be seen by comparing his public utterances !
in relation to civil authority and military !
power, to the objects and province of the !
state and National Governments, respectively, |
or to the policy now required in the admins |
tration of public affairs, with the views of any
eminent Representative or Senator of either I
party. Match them, point by point, and it will |
be found that in intellectual viSOr, compre- |
hensiveness of view clearness of expression,
and especially in pafriotic spirit and Just con-
Gen. Hancock occupies no doubtful
or inferior position. On the contrary, his
political acts are noble and defensible as
But OutcrieS of objection from the Republican
camp fill the air. Would you they ask, in
trust the administration of the Governments
try to the men who tried to destroy it? Would |
you imperil the business interests of the cOun-