Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1880 — Order No. 40 of Gen. Winfield S. Han cock. [ARTICLE]

Order No. 40 of Gen. Winfield S. Han cock.

In April, 1867, an act of Congress was passed declaring that there was no legal civil governments in, the States of Lonsiana and Texas, and that they should constitute one military district; and making ihe military power of the United States superior to the rebellious civil powers in those States. The act also provided for the registering of voters, and the suspension of elec tIOUR. This law was passed over the veto of Andrew Johnson the pi-esi dent, and he determining if possible to make the same of no effect, to nullify legislation, lemoved Gen Sheridan from the command of this military district, who had been appointed according to law, and authorized Gen. Hancock to succeed him against the wishes of General Grant. Gen. Hancock went as the agent of Andrew Johnson to nphold “my policy” against the laws of Con gress. Gen. Hancock was a fit and willing tool for this unlawful and unpatriotio work when he assumed command at New Orleans, be virtually ignored the act of Congress, and directed the illegal State governments to resume what he oailed their lawful dominion. Says he “All crimes committed in this district mint be referred to the (illegal) civil authorities, and they will be supported.”

The act of Congress provided that all classes rtiight be citizens, but tbe rebel State law only allowed this privilege to the whites. The law of Congress permitted all el asses to vote ; the rebel State law only allowed those whites having a certain- amount of property this right. Gen. Hancock chose to violate a law of Congress at tbe dictation of an unfaithful, an&nngnaeefal president, and out of hicowa free will, as a bid for rebel support Order No. 40, was a direct assault upon a law of Congress, and was rightly eoudemned then 4i it *bou|B‘ Q|: Mfr, ... Congress declared that until the State of Louisiana should adopt a Republican- form of government,

Hancock at its bead should cxiat The latter assuming the power in ctdent to military rule, at once sur rendered it to the rebellious unreDoblican government, then claimed to be in existence in Louisiana. He attempted, as a satraD to nullify a law of the United States of Americat General Grant revoked Ida orders, how eve#, and very soon Gen. Hancock test New Orleans In the night, and wa* succeeded by Gen. Buchanan. Gen. Hancock was in command of the Fifth dia. trict from November 29. 1867, to Haroh 2, 1868, a little over three months. Gen. Sheridan had been In command from March 19 to November 29, 1867. A State con at station was agreed upon by a convention in session from November 23, 1867, to March 9, 1368. This constitution was ratified by a vote of 06,162 Republicans in favor, to 48,739 Hancock Democrats against. Thus ended the arbitrary dictatorship ot General Wii.ficld S- Hancock at New Orleans.

This career of three months filled with horror and consternation all union loving Republicans, and met the hearty approval of treaaousteeped rebels, aud thus gavb Hancock a start as a candidate for president. He is now supported by tbe same class of people. In the convention of 1868, be received the votes of the southrons at New York. He is now nominated, and bis infamous aud stubbon career at New Orleans serves aa a charter of faith to hia supporters, aud ia his guarantee ot statesmanship. The general proposition that the military power should be direolod by tbe civil power should in limes of tranquility and peace, but in tue 6th military district from April, 1867, until April, 1808, there was no legally organized State government, and the military government was supreme, aud Order No. 40, was on its face a deceitful falsehood. Gen. Hancock tndearud himself by this order to the 48,739 rebels who opposed Republican government, and was odious to the 06,162 union men who began a State government in April, 1868. The Democrats seem to make the most capital out of the most unworthy and'infamous acts of their celebrated candidate. From that three months career in the Louisiana district,- he was quickly recalled, and the people stamped the hollow sham under their feet at the election of 1868. The same Older No. 40 was the leading issue in the campaign of 1868, when Seymour rau agaiost U. S. Grant. Seymour received 80 electoral votes, while U. S. Grant received 214. If there ever was a questionable act committed by General Garfield* we can say it has been atoned for through his many deeds of statesmanship, but the Democrats refer to the worst acts of General Hanoock as gems in his crown of glory. This goe« to the fact that the Democratic party, as such, is “deceitful above all things aud desperately wicked.”