South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-08-20
Letter frona Hon. David Davis

"BLocNiSGToN, III. Aug. 4.-My
Dear sir; The training and habits of
my life naturally lead rae 70 prefer 81.
VILLAINS 70 soldiers for tho grea. civil
trusts. but "a parties are Organized.
voters must choose between The cam
oidates they represent, or stand aloof.
indifferent or neutral. which 70 good
citizen ought to do ut q presidential,
election. l have no hesitation in sup.
porting General Hancock for the best
tail reasons to my mind, because his
election VIII put an end TO sectional
strife and 10 sectional parties, aud
VIII revive g patriotic sentiment all
over tue land, which political leaders
and factions, for sinister ends. have
sought TO prevent There can be no
permanent prosperity without pacfi.
cation. Great ~ were TIE achieve
ments or Gen. Hancock in war, his
conduct IN peace, when in command
OF Louisiana and Texas. iii 1867, was
still greater, and justly commends
HIM to the confidence OF the country.
That was time when passion ruled
in the public councils, and military
power WAS exerted to silence civil au.
thorlty. The temptation was strong
to sai! with the rushing current, for an
inhamod partisan opinion was too rea.
dy to condone excuses aud TO applaud
oppression. Gen. Eancock's order
NO, 40, IN assuming charge Of the fifth
military district announced the right
| OF trial by jury, the habeas corpus,
he liberty of the press, the free ionl
OF speech, the natural rights OF per
sons, and the rights OF property must
be respected. These principles are
! the basis of free government ani the
proclamation of them by Cen. Han
cock stands ont in striking Contrast
With the action Of his superior. who
soon after rebuked and drove him
from that command for uttering SEN
hmcnts worthy of ail-honor. The
soldier, clothed with extraordinary
power, voluntarily uncovered before
the civil authority, sheathed his sword,
testified his fidelity to the constitution
and set an example of obedience 20
law which viii pass into history as
his proudest claim to distinction. -
The nan who, in the midst OF the ex-
elements of that stormy period, was
cool enough to see his duty clearly
and courageous enough to execute il
firmly may be well trusted in any cri-
sis. His letter to Gen. Sherman. re-
Gently brought TO light, lifts Gen.
Hancock far above the past apprcci--
alton OF his civil ability. 1t marks
him as one of the wiscst of his time,
with stateman's grasp of mind, and
with the integrity of a patriot, whom
no sense OF expediency could swerve
from his honest convictions. Long
and unchecked possession Of power bv
any party leads to extravagance, cor
ruption and loose practices. After
twenty years Of domination by the
republicans, chronic abuses have be-
come fastened upon the public service
like branches on the bottom of
stranded ship. There is no hope of
reform by leaders who have created
system OF NAL administration and
who are interested in perpetuating its
evils. Nothing short of the sternest
remedy gives any promise Of effective
reform, and the first step towards it
Is in chrnge of rulers. The govern
ment must BIO got out Of the ruts III
which it has too long been run New
blood must he infused into the man
agcment OF public affairs before relief
can be expected. The people demand
change, and being i'll earnest, they are
likely to be gratitied. Very sincere.
~. DAVID DAVIS.
Hon. Jas. Il. Harvey, Washington city.