St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-07-03
Gen. Hancock for President.
IN. Y. SUM-

N Y. Sun.
Though we have hoped that the Con
vention at Cincinna tt might present i'll
it's broadcast shape the issue OF constltu,,
by tile people in the November election,
and that Mr.. Tilden, as the embodiment
of that issue might be the chosen candi-
date, yet if, owing to the delicate state
of Mr.. Tilden's health, that could not be,
we are content, and more than content,
with the nomination of Gen. Hancock.
Though military man, he has proved
himself to be possessed of a profound
and Ineligible appreciation of the vital
principles of personal liberty, which lie
at the foundation OF our democratic in
situations. No one has ever presented
these principles. in a clearer or
more comprehensive manner than he;
and we refer to the record republished
Sun Of last November, as the conclusive
proof of what we assert.
A brave and well-tried soldier of the
Union, Gen. Hancock is at the same
time sincere and thorough believer in
the democratic idea that civil govern
ment must always be superior to mill
tary authority, and that the people are
infinitely greater than the army, which
they employ and pay.
Moreover, he is man of spotless char
acter. Amid all the opportunities of
high command in a civil war, and of
military government over a conquered
State, no corruption has ever been toler-
ated by him. Against his illustrious
patriotic services not a single word can
be alleged.
His nomination, more nearly than
that of any others who might have been
| colo cd tha
which would have been presented by
the nomination of Mr.. Tilden. A life
long Democrat, and justly exercising
great influence among his fellow citi-
zens, he had no lot Or part in devising
or enacting or applying the unconstitu-
tional Electoral commission. He stands
for the constitution and its methods,
and for the right of the people to
govern themselves thereby; while his
antagonist, Gen. Garfield, one of the
infamous eight by whom that Commits
sion was made a mere instrument for
setting aside the will Of the country,
stands for the Electoral Fraud of 1876.
We can have no doubt as to the final
decision between the representatives of
these opposing systems.
Gen. Hancock has ever been true to
the Union. Brave among the bravest
of the soldiers who marked with their
blood the battle fields of the civil war,
there is no citizen, living or dead, whose
life more than his illustrates the senti-
ment of loyalty to the old flag, of devo-
ton to the integrity OF the Republic.
Upon the escutcheOn Of his fidelity there
is not the shadow of single blot.
He is straightforward, outspoken,
sincere man. What he says he means !;
what he means he does. Under his ad-
ministration We may expect economy,
dignity, boldness, truth and honor. The
old democratic principles, which stand
like bed rocks in the Constitution, will
be the rules by which he will act. The
reformation of and renovation of the
Government will be the object toward
which his efforts will be directed. The
Convention has done we'll in giving us
such candidate.
For Vice-President the Convention
nominated William II. English Of
Indiana. Mr.. English has not recently
been active in official life. He served
in Congress, however, as a Representa-
tive of Indiana from 1853 to 1861. Dur
ing that period he was conspicuous on
the Democratic side Of the chamber.
His record is clear and honest, and his
nomination not only takes nothing from
the great popular strength Of the ticket,
but adds to it.
We are confident that that these are
the candidates who will be elected in
November; and who will be duly inau-
gurated on the Fourth of March, 1881.