The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-08-31

promote as far rs possible, spirit OF reconcilia-
ton. His administration of the department OF
the Cumberland will certainly compare most IA
forably with that of Gen. Sheridan in the fifth
military district. These affairs appear to be in a
Edisturbed condition. and bitter spirit of antag-
onism seems to have resulted from Gen. Sheri-
dams management. He has rendered himself
| exceedingly obnoxious by the manner in which
he has exercised even the powers conferred by
congress, and still more so by resort TO author
ity not granted by law nor necessary TO its faith
| full and effectual execution, His rule has, in
fact, been one of absolute tyranny. Without
reference to the principles of our government or
the nature OF oar free institutions, the state of
affairs which has resulted from the course he has
pursued has seriously interfered with Il harmo-
NOUS, satisfactory and speedy execution of the
acts of congress- and is alone sufficient to Justify
change. His removal, therefore, cannot be
regarded as an effort to defeat the laws of con-
gress, for the object is to facilitate their eXecu
ton through an officer who has never failed to
obey the law, and to exact within his jurisdiction
II like obedience from Others. 1t cannot be in
terpreted by the unreconstructed element OF the
| south, those who did all they could to break up
this government by arms, and now wish to be
the only element consulted as to the only meth
Cd OF restoring order, as triumph; for as intel
| ligent men they must know that the mere change
of military commanders cannot alter the law and
| that Gen. Thomas will be as much bound by its
requirements as Gen Sheridan. 1t cannot en-
holden them to renewed opposition to the will of
| the loyal masses, believing that they have the
executive with them, for they are perfectly IA
miliar with the antccedents of the president, and
know that he has not ohstructed the faithful exc
cution of any act of congress. No one, as you
are aware, has higher appreciation than myself
| of the services OF Gen Thomas, and none would
no lass iuo1iual RI assist bi,n RI command
entirely suited to his wishes. Knowing him
| do, | cannot think he will hesitate for mo-
ment to obey my order, having in view COM
plete and speedy restoration of the union, in the
preservation of which he has rendered such i'm
portant and valuable service.
Gen. Hancock, known to the whole country
as gallant, able and patriotic soldier, will, |
have no doubt sustain his high reputation i'll any
position to which he may be assigned
IF, as you observed the department which he
will have is a complicated one, feel confident
that under the guidance and instructions OF Gen.
Sherman, Gen Sheridan will soon become famil-
lar with its necessities, and will avail himself of
the opportunity afforded by the Indian trouble
Tor the display OF the energy, enterprise and dar-
ing which gave him so enviable reputation dur
ing the recent civil struggle.
| I'm assuming that it is the expressed wish of
| the people that Gen. Sheridan should not be re-
| moved from his present command, you remark
that this is a republic based upon written con-
| stltution. That constitution is the combined
| and expressed will of the people, and their voice
is law, when reflected in the manner which that
instrument prescribes. While one OF its provis-
| ions makes the president commander-n-chief of
| the army and navy, another requires that he
shall take that the laws be faithfully exocu-
ted. Believing that change in the command in
| the 9th military district is absolutely necessary
for faithful execution of the law, have issued
the order which is the subject of this correspon-
dence. In thus exercising power that inheres
i'll the executive under the constitution. as COM
mander-in-chief OF the army and navy, | am dis
charging a duty required of me by the will of
the nation, as formally declared in the supreme
law of the land BY his oath, the executive is
solemnly bound, TO the best of his ability to
preserve, protect and defend the constitution,
and although in times OF great excitement, it be
lost to the public view, it is his duty, without
regard to consequences to himself, to hold sacred
and in force any and all its provisions ANY
other course would lead to the destruction of the
repablc; fvr Tie constitution once SSo .shei
mere would be no congress for the exercise OF
legislative powers, no executive TO see that the
laws are faithfully executed, no Judiciary to af-
ford to the citizens protection for life, limb and
property. usurpation would inevitably follow,
and a despotism be fixed on the people, in viola
ton OF their combined and expressed will
"ln conclusion, / fail to perceive any military,
pecuniary q patriotic reasons why this order
should No. carried into effect. You will re-
member,8a in the first instance, did not con-
slider Gen. Sheridan the most suitable man for
the command of the 9th military district Time
has strengthened my convictions upon the point,
and has led me to the conclusion that patriotic
considerations demand that he should be super
coded by officer who, while be will faithfully
execute the law, will at the same time give more
general satisfaction TO the whole people, white
and black, north and south.
81 am, general, very respectfully yours
~g3 RI ~ M"ANDREw JOHNSON. .
ITO Gen. Z. S. GRANT, Secretary Of War, nd
| Interim" - '". "a" S'.''
| HAPPY TENNEssEE.-A correspondent of