The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-03-21

eject and who realized the greatness Of the field for
their application In the South It was a mystery that
he did not continue longer in the performance OF
duties for which he showed himself 50 admirably
ntted. The fact simply was that his administration
iuferforcd with tho plans which politicians had laid
for political purposes. His method OF Reconstruction
not theirs. Hancock's method would have left
the power Of local government In tho hands OF the
people Of the Southern states, and this was not the
plan OF the ruling majority at Washington It was
determined to get rid OF an cncer who had such ton
der scruples regarding laws and the rights Of men.
To this end bill introduced In Congress to
duoe the number OF Major Generals, the aimed at
being General Hancock himself. This bin Its pro-
moiers soon saw, would react themselves. They
dared not strike popular fayorte for fear OF making
him popular martyr plan was adopted which
worked better because It worked by indircctlon and
dishonesty. The General Of the Army was given
usual powers exceeding those Of the President, In re-
gard to the administration OF the military govern
mcnts Of the South, General Unncock's direction Of
anairs was purposcly ncrfered with In manner to
humiiate him, and the President, who had hitherto
supported unable to protect him. In letter to
friend In Congress, announcing that the time had
come when he had to choose between obedience to
what he regarded wrong, or resignation he closed
with the noble sentiment; Nothing can iutlmidate
me from doing what 1 believe to be honest and
TO be relieved from his command, and was shortly
afterward assigned to the command OF the Military
Division OF tho Atlantic WHERE with the exception
Of three years In command Of the Division OF Dakota
he has since remained. lie was regarded as pron-
and available candidate for the Presidency In the
National Conventions at New York, in 1865, and at
Baltimore In 1872. and he rendered the nominn-
ton for Governor Of his native State which honor he
declined.
volume Of camp and field anecdote might be writ
ten Illustrative OF the but It Is not needed TO un-
derstand him. General Hancock's personal charac-
terstics might almost be drawn from the foregoing
simple record Of his life lie appears the very beau
| ideal Of the soldier His figure Is tall and finely
shaped. His eye is clear, blue. inquirng, bcngnant
In repose but Inspiring In danger and In earnestness.
| In manners man ever surpassed him. He Is the
embodiment OF knightly courtesy, yet his dignity IL
OF the simple Republican type that reminds one Of
the ideal Cincinnatus. No young officer with appre-
tensions for the nrst time reported to him and
went away with any other feeling than that Hancock
was the man he wanted to serve under for life. To
his subor,ilnates he was always kindness ITSELF lilo
| put at his casc at once, gave conference.-the
| man think better OF himseif-made him think he
amounted to good deal than he ever suspected.
This was ono Of the great secrets OF Hancocks sue
cess tho field. Tho men and officers all felt that
they had come in personal contact with their COM
| mander, that they had made him think they wero
brave good, reliable men, and when the crisis came
| they rather die than destroy that opinion.
| Iinncock's reproof, on the other hand, was not
thing TO be wished for twice. lie severe In his re-
| qurenents, and sometimes made his colonels and
generals wish they anywhere but under the plain
severity OF his talk Yet after the lesson was taught
the wound was at healed by some attention so
kindly and gracious that the object OF 1t felt at last
that he had really gained by the transaction. Thus
hat l,ax l.1 liz anna