The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-09-02
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH.

NEW OhA, august SO.-l Hc lllc
of Gen. Hancock, published to-day by
ID. Appleton Il Co.. contains his cor
respondence with Gen. Sherman of
December, 1876, and January, 1877,
in the course of which is a letter,
which has already been given to the
public, which was written in Caron-
delet, Missouri, December %, and
was addressed to Gen. Sherman.
The letter written December 4
granted Gen. Hancock an application
for a leave of absence to go to Car
ondelet, and this letter made the fol-
lowing aflusions, the only ones
on political affairs referring to the
orders sent by the President to Gen.
Ruger, commanding the Depart
ment of the South. Gen. Sherman
said: The political orders to Ruger,
at Columbia, l prefer that they
should go from the President to
him. through the Secretary of War.
They were not military. | dislike
much to have our soldiers used in
concert with the legislative body,
but the orders coming from the Pres
ident, have TO be obeyed. They form
bad precedent, and thus far have
prevented collision of arms be-
tween inflamed partisans.
The letter from Gen. Hancock. not
included in the published corre-
spondence, expresses some uneasi-
ness on account of the newspaper
report, which had been stating that
he was ordered from New York and
it appears to have furnished an occa-
sion for the following letter from
Gen. Sherman:
Headquarters Army OF the United
States, Washington, December IL,
1S76-My Dear General: Lest your
peace of mind may be disturbed by
the foolish report banded in the
newspapers about your being or
dered from New York, l will tell you
that there is not word of truth in
it. Neither the President nor the
Secretary of War has ever intimated
to ME such a purpose, and ! know /
have never said a word or written
syllable to that effect. | see in the
Republican of st. Louis that not
only was the order made, but that |
destroyed it and tore out leaves of
the record book containing the copy.
The whole thing was and is an in
vention by somebody who wanted
to create a sensation. The same is
true about John Sherman's intrigu-
ing to he President of the Senate,
that he might be President ad in
terim. He has told me that he has
never heard the subject broached; !;
that he would not accept the place,
as he preferred to be what he is now,
chairman of the Senate Committee
on Finance. The letter concludes !:
No such changes in command are
being contemplated, and when they
are, you may be assured that will
giveyou the earliest notice. There are
men ON mischief intent, who would
gladly sow the seeds of dissension
among us of the army. Truly your
friend, w. Il. SHERMAN.
This letter is followed by the Ca
rondelet letter, to which Gen. Sher-
man replied as follows:
Headquarters of the Army of the
United States, Washington, July 2,
1877.-Gen.W.S S.Hancock, New Y York.
Dear General: did not receive
your interesting letter of December
%, from Carondelet, Missouri, till
yesterday. / am very glad TO have
your views in extenso upon subject
of such vital importance. Our stand
ard ofopinions are mostly founded on
practice of our predecessors, but a
great change was made after the
close of the civil war by the amend
ments to the constitution giving the
freed states certain civil and politi-
cal rights and empowering congress
to make laws necessary TO enforce
these rights. Their power is new
and absolute. and congress has en-
acted laws with which we are not
vet familiar and accustomed TO.
See pages 348, 349 and $50, Revised
Statutes, section 1885, edition 1S734.)
As matter Of fact, dislike TO have
our army usedin these civil conflicts,
but the president has the lawful
right to use the army and navy, and
has exercised the right, as he be-
lieyes, lawfully and rightfully, and
our duty has been and is to sustain
him with zeal and sincerity. As to
the presidential election, we are in
NO luduucE EequiFeu 10 Jake lhc ledsl
active, but TO recognize him as pres
ident whom lawfully appointed
officers declare to be such person.
hope and pray that congress viii
agree on some method before the
day and hour arrives, but in case Of
failure 10 elect by OF before the
fourth Of March there win be
vacancy in both Offices OF president
and vice president, in which event
the President of the Senate becomes
President pro tenn, and new cleo
ton will have 70 be held, under the
law of 1872. (See title 8, chapter I,
pares 2i.s22, %, Revised 6tatutes.)
II & well we should compare notes
and agree before the crisis Is on US
but I surely hope we may pass this
ordeal safely and peacefully. / viii
we pleased 10 hear from you at any
time W. Il. SHERMAN.
The next letter published Il from
Gen Hancock to Gen. Sherman.
dated New York, january 2. II Is
as follows. Gen w. T. Sherman, u. /
s. Army, Washington, ID. C.: An an
nonymous communication 20 the