National Republican., 1880-07-29
GOVERNORS ISLAND.
Visiting Pilgrims 10 the Mecca Of the
Democracy.
Chesterfield Hancock and tho Horde oi
Once-Seeisers from all
Quarters.


Tho following letter was sent TO we'll
known gentleman ofthis city:
II tell you my friends, accident alone found
me sweltoring in this hot city of New York
on the day Of the meeting between Hancock
and English on Governors island. Tho Albe-
marie is my fjlvorte hotel, aud there, as well
as at the Fifth Avenue, l met numerous pill
grims of the democratic persuasion, all here to
pay homage to ard worship at the feet Of the
great soldier, General Hancock. Political pill
grims from all parts Of the country were TO be
met at all the hotels on Broadway. Among
these pilgrims, aud making themselves un-
necessarily prominent, were a dozen or moro
of confederate brigadiors, who, from their
conversation you would havo supposed had
captured Hancock and intended TO make good
use Of him in reviving the memories Of the
"lost cause" / was not little surprised at
seeing these men drink their whisky to Ham
cock aud hurrah for him as IL their side had
been successful and he was the general who
had led them to victory. After moments
reflection remembered reading of an animal
that the more you whipped him the better lie
liked you.
"one of these confederate brigatlicrs had
known before the war lie was brave oili-
Ger, was educated at West Point, very genial
gentleman, but even more decidedly southern
IN his sentiments. The poor fellow lost all
he had in the confedcracy, and for some
years after the war was good deal down at
the heel and cut at the elbows. He now holds
n soft place in the capital of the nation he
fought so bravely to destroy, and no longer
wears shabby clothes OF course we renewed
acquaintance.
"'You will pay your respects to General Han
cock before leaving New York, of course p ho
inquired. 1T will give me great pleasure to
introduce you TO him.
"I did not intond to- l replied. Hancock
must have callers enough on his hands. Be-
side that, we are old army friends
"'Oh, yes; | remember now. You fought
under hiui during the war; resumed my con-
federato friend with puzzled air.
"'Not exactly that replied. He fought
like the devil mp ono end of tho line, while
was at the other, but did not fight much.
My friend, | came out Of the war without u
wound, and am glad of it,
"'You're joking returned my confederate
friend. 4 heard, now | come TO remem-
Der, that you fought like the very devil, and
WIS wounded number of tines
"'Thcy eau tell you better than that Mt the
pension office. 1t was another fellow OF the
came name
my friend persuaded me to join him. and
after mostening just II little, as good demo-
Gratis always do, especially southern demo-
Gratis, we took Il South ferry omnibus and
reached the battery just in time to find the
government barge filled from stem to stern
with as mixed, not to say motley, n crowd Of
political pilgrims MS eye ever rested on. There
was neither sitting room nor standing room,
SO We concluded to be paicut aud wait for
the next crossing. We strolcd over, and for u
fow minutes watched the men working Oh the
new barge Office.
Just here | would suggest that another
and larger barge be placed at General Han
cocks disposal by the government, SO that the
political pilgrims bent on paying him homage
NAV not suffer from DELAY.
while waiting we met the magnificent
Nick Muller who represents In congress the
district in which the battery is located. Nick
was In his most chcelfu mood. lie told us he
was just now dividing his time between tho
business of forwarding immigrants and super
intending the new barge office in connection
with the supervising architect of the treasury.
"The magnificent Nick suggest cd that We
join him and retire to tho old Washington
house, where there was something TO cool the
inner man.
ave retired And as the day was warm and
oppressive We of couso cooled the inner
mau. In short, we did as all good democrats
do under trying circumstances. Nick said he
would 10 to the island with us but for the
fact that he had been over and paid his respects
to The great general two days before.
"The clerk notified us that we should find
the barge Mt her landing when we got there
Wp did, and she was fast filling up with pil.
grims, somo Of them very seedy, others
slightly under the influence of some kind oil
strong fluid. We had no less than four con.
fedcrate brigadiers on board, including my
friend. There We're pilgrims from Mssissipp
pilgrims from Tennessee, pilgrims from In.
diana, pilgrims from Alabama, pilgrims from
Arkansas (Ono very drunk, pilgrims from
Connecticut and pilgrims from Louisiana
Even Texas had her pilgrims here, some oil
them In q rather unsteady condition.
"rhere, too was Pilgrim John G. Bnrch
secretary Of the United States senate You
have very likely heard that General Martin
4. McMahon, who you may have known dur
ing the war, has recently elected himself
master of ceremonies TO the great soldier can
didae, General Hancock lie WAS On board
ON his way to the democratic mecca to in
troiuco Joaquin Miller, the poet aud lit
erary gentleman from Philadelphia. Pilgrim
Ellis of Louisiana was also on board.
We'll, we had seats near the stern. Th,
pilgrims made great noise aud so did til,
steam. Honestly, my friend, the thing wa
getting confusing Thoro was a bad smcl
coming aft, Il smell of bad tobacco and wors
whisky, aud such II murder OF the tho king
Euglish.
ave got away from the wharf, and n feel
ing OF relief came over mo when We reschc,
the dock at Governors island. How tina
crow d did scramble aud rush 10 get upOu thi
dock first! Poor Joaquin Miller, he looked oil
with dismay
81 asked my companion, tho coufcderat,
bligadier how he liked tho grouping
"'Dou't like it n id Bit, said he it rc
minds me OF herd Of hulfilocs In the Indial
territory. l should like to take that Grove
in tue rear with dozeu or more shOtguus.'
THAT remark caused me to effect. Shot
guns are popular institution in the south.
Yes | would pepper them in the rear
lie resumed How Hancock with his re
fined tastes, his West Point cxclusivencss
aud his love of elegance, must be annoyed IL
bong compelled to receive such politicn
scrubsl
''Yes, II must be very annoying to him
said /, How the poor man must suficI
Think OF gentleman in rufiled shirts bein
compelled to receive and shake hands wit
the rougls from Sam COx's district!
"ln another minute l was surprised to fin
my companion, the confederate brgadier, a
the tail end Of the crowd and running as lls
as any of them, In the hope of getting to Han
cock first. 1t made mo feel sad, that did. DE
serted by o confederate bIigadier, ohT
"Ihere was a sentinel on the dock, soldie
incamate with bright musket and fixed bay
onet. He looked at me suspiciously, as muc
ps to say, why are yOu SO far bshind2'
Pass to the left said the sentinel, ca
tending his hand, If you want to sec tho gen
eral passed TO the left and soon came /
front of big storehousc, before which an
other sentinel, with bright musket and ixe