The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-22
GEN. HANCOCK
An Hour With Him in His
Home.
BY EMILY THORNTON CHARLES.


on the island today" ] asked of the Sergeant
stationed at the Governors Island Barge Office
one bright day in November last. There he
stands-that is Gen. Hancock" replied the SOL
der in 4 low tone OF voice. indicating the dlrec-
ton with a glance of the eye | turned and
saw a tall and handsome gentleman leaning IN
"a graceful yet careless attitude against the rail-
ing. cigar in his hand, while his eye Toved
over the scenery of river and floating craft and
islands, that seem almost to be floating also, as
one surveys from the water Staten, Governor S
and Bedloe's Islands.
/ had taken a somewhat active interest in
the campaign of iSo0, and at the request of Mr..
English had WrittCa the campaign songs, and
was the bearer OF Introductory letters from Mr..
Hendricks ex- United States Senator Mcdonald
and others and had been most DESTROYS Of meet
ing and conyers.ag with Gen. Hancock. My
wish had been expressed to him by member
OF his staff, ard he had pleasantly responded,
saying lie would be glad 10 sec me at any time.
/ shall not soon forget my impressions, as hear
ing his name spoken and seeing that L took a
step toward him, he threw away his cigar and
approached
Clad in civilian attire whose fit outlined a
tall figure, perfectly propOrtiOned, and without
supeguous flesh, his clear blue eyes lit up
with xprcssion. His complexion seemed fair as
that OF a child, except for the gray-almost
whi,e-musache covering the lip. His bearing
was eTert and soidieTiy, aud the straight
brimncd military hat ] noticed was banded
with deep mourning. Thus appeared the great
political leader and brave officer who even
passed through the trials and warfare of the
political campaign.
SANS PEUR ct SANS REPROCHE
Upon Iay presenting my card he greeted both
myself and companion most cordially, regret
ting his absence from the city on the occasion
of my former visit TO the Island, and said: 3"
was going 10 write you TO day TO tell you of my
return" said I: Then, General, am almost
sorry I came today, for l should have priced
the letter." | feel sure that remark Of mine
was the cause o: his writing me letter 10 days
later, inviting me, If | remained longer in the
city, TO call at his home again. As the barge
was noN ready to start the General invited us
to take seats therein and accompany him to the
Island, which we did, all the while keeping up
dceultoTy conversation. Speaking of
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY,
he said that be had feared it was of too light
structure to Withstand the action of the ele-
ments; that no expense should be spared to
place il securely, and he felt sure that every
thing possible would be done to make it durable.
Speaking of the dialects Of our country, Gen.
Hancock said he thought he could tell what
State anyone came from, after hearing the per-
son talk few minutes adding that his friends
often laughed at his Pennsylvania Dutch "
idions.
Arriving at the island. the General escorted
lares and penates thereOf-a two-St0ry frame
tan-c0:ored building, but little unlike dozen
others Standing in line at nearly equi-distance,
and forming hollow square, or, rather, deep
semi-circle containing several acres of park. on
which they fronted. Entering wide hall Gen.
Hancock took US to the double parlors on the
right and excused himself for a few moments
while he read his dispatches. There
severe style about these beautiful rooms, moth
ing indicative OF love of display or grandeur,
but many beautiful articles OF vertu, such
easy chairs, such harmonious blending of col0rs
in ornaments and ad0rnments, as indicated their
po5seSsoTs 10 be true lovers of the beautiful.
Upon Gen. Hancock's return, with apology
from Mrs. Hancock who is an invalid, / spoke
of the lovely rooms and men toned having seen
the ROOMS Of Gen. Sickles which reminded one
or scePo IN the Arabian Nights" by their
spIendor and the dainty taste therein exhibited.
had noticed that at Gen. Sckless the candle
abrum bears candles of red, white and blue wax
so well does he, who gave limb for his coun-
try, love the National colors. Gen. Hancock
thought il was pretty conccit on the part of
Gen. Sickles, and invited us to his Office and
sitting-ryCm at the end Of the hall to the left,
opening into tie large front reception room,
also on the left Of the hail. Here, near writ
ing table nthe center OF the room, and between
cheerful fire in the open CRATE and a window
overlooking the river, stood the Generals
fayorte chair Just to the LETT OF this room was
a small aicove room. of which the little grand
sou, then visiting his grandparents, had made
8 pisyroOm, while the lines of toy soldiers on
parade seemed TO indicate the dawn of martial
prOcllyt;cs in this young scion of an illustrious
house. After rendering us refreshments the
General dropped into his easy chair, and
a PLEASANT CHAT FOLLOWED,
and. as usual in such instances, many subjects
were lightly touched upon. When l expressed
my regret at the result Of the election in 1850,
he said, You know, do you not. that it was
caused by a selling cut in New York;" He did
net speak at all bitterly, but as one only max
ing simple statement by way Of explanation.
/ scarcely know how the Gext subject came up,
bat it WAS in regard to receiving and resentng
eErOnts, and he was giving my companion quite
little lecture OH behavior, saying good rule
was 10 never allow oneself to think that slight
OF insult IS intended "a great many persons"
said he, make themselves unhappy through
lie i'y always seeing imaginary affrontS where
no otIense is intended; by misconstruing some
trivial word or act, and by implying motives
that 90 not exist" Said the General: Bear
yourself on al occasions as though you did not
deem il possible that any one would intention
ally slight ycu, and never take an afiront IN
less IL IS thrust upon you"
The young lady suggested that it seemed
strange that he should have given any con-
sideratian 10 this subject, as surely be had
never bad personal experience in that diTec-
ton 10 which he replied: "Ycs, it might
seem strange: but ! have observed a great
deal" lie added: Then, too, a man in public
life IS always a subject for ioyidious attack
by way he said,~" mas always been 10 settle
any difficulty or disagreement on the spot or at
once, if possible; then there is no sulking
about it, and 40 grudge follows it,
As Gen. Hancock had but few days before
visited
THE BATTLEFIELD OF GETTYSBURG,
] alluded TO the conflicting statements as TO
whom the credit belonged for the selection of
tie site which the battle was fought, and
the conduct Of the same, and inquired whether
he did not think he ought to write an article
On the subject? Upon this he replied, in the
same serious and thoughtful! strain, that there
had been many Eisst2temeuts made and, I'M
dOublediy, these msstatements had been the
means Of gratifying ambition and Of making
persons famous liz history who did not so APP
pear the battlefield; but" said he, while
! believe history should be correct and exact in
its facts, yet l would not like to be the one to
unvail its inaccuracies or disturb the serenity
OF those who are made happy thereby; though"
he added gravcly, q" the time may come when
l shall be obliged TO make a statement Tie
war history can never be properly recorded
without hurting some ones feelings without
causing some bitter heart-pang until all who
participated in its struggles are dead.'
Then, dear General responded" who can
write it properly? 1t seems to me that all
DrOmjucut actors therein should make STATE