Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-03-16
HANCOCK IN THE SENA TE


Among the distinguished gentlemen
who were present at tho inauguration
was General w. S. Hancock, whose
visit was anticipated with much pleas.
ure, and whose presence was recog.
nized with distinguished consideration,
An eye witness OF the scene in the
Senate chamber says:
Gen. Hancock was the Grs, person Of conso
quenee to enter the chamber eoming In very
quietly and unOstentatiously, attended only by
Col. Mitchell one Of his aids. His massive aud
towering figure, in his Major Generals uAiiorm,
was instantly discovered, aud a round Of ap.
plauso rolled from end Of the galleries TO the
other, and was caught up on the door, Senators
participating as heartily as any Others Sena-
tors almost tumbled over each other In the rush
to salute him. Mr.. conkling quickly LEFT his
desk, and hurying up the main aisle rendered to
General Hancock the first personal greeting Mr.,
Thurman was at Mr.. Conklings side before he
and General Hancock had uncasped hands aud
was the second to welcome him. Then followed
David Davis, Mr.. Hill, Mr.. Brown, Mr.. Teller,
Mr.. Voorhees, and Don Cameron, and presently
nearly the entire Senate had clustered around
him, the galleries meanwhile applauding. Mr.
Davis, Of West Virginia, as soon as chance Of
ferei, escorted General Hancock to seat on the
sofa at the left Of the Vice Presidents desk. To
this sofa presently came Mr.. Wheeler with out
stretched hands and the cordiaity Of the greeting
drew from the spectators still further demonstra-
tioB Of good will. General Hancock was smiling,
but perfectly serene. Senators Of both parties con-
tinued to crowd around him, and apparently to
vic with each other In testifying their respect aud
esteem. Mrs. Garfield, from the gallery above,
beat upOa the centre Of so much homage a curl
Gus but kindly gaze. Shortly after General Phil
Sheridan entered from side door, and walking
over took his seat by Gen. Hancock, and as they
warmly shock each others hands the applause
rang out again"
Aiterward was presented a scene
without parallel in the history of this
country and on which it is to be hoped
will never again be repeated. We
allude to the fact that there was present
in the Senate chamber just previous to
the Inauguration, President and Vice
President who had not received II ma
jority eff the electoral vote and were
about to vacate after rendering four
years Of service as the outgrow,ng OF
fraud. Then was presented Presi.
dent about TO be inaugurated who is
not the choice OF the people as express
ed at the ballot. box, but who was eloc.
ted by the forms prescribed by the
Constitution in the face of the will OF
the people. The third feature in the
group was the presence of the man
General Hancock-who lods chosen by
the people as their President, but who
under our laws lacked the necessary
electoral votes to secure the prize, ant
was present TO witness the induction
into Office Of one who had received
more than six thousand votes less thar
himself; but whose demeanor was calm
and serene and without apparently &
shadow of bitterness at his failure t
receive the highest honors which bis
countrymen intended to Destow. But
through it all stands out in bold relic
the character of the man who has FIRE
quently been tried and never iounC
wanting, and who we believe is ye
destined to occupy the first place in th'
gift of the American people.