The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-08-29


alone is capable of commanding the
States of Louisiana and Texas, and
that were he, for any cause, removed,
service of the United States would be
competent to fill his place. General
Thomas. whom / have designated as
his successor, is we'll known to the
country, having won high and honor
able distinction in the field.
He has, in the execution of the
responsible duties of department
commander, exhibited great ability,
sound discretion. and sterling patrl-
otism.D He has not failed, under the
most trying circumstances, to enforce
the laws, to preserve peace and order.
to encourage the restoration of civil
authority. and to promote. as far. as
possible, a spirit of reconciliation.
His administrat, on of the Department
Of the Cumberland will certainly COM
pare most favorably with that of
General Sheridan. in the military
district. Those affairs appear to be
in disturbed condition, and bitter
spirit of antagonism seems to have
resulted from General Sheridan s
management. He has rendered him
self exceedingly obnoxious by the
manner in which he has exercised
even the powers conferred by Con-
gress, and still more SO by a resort to
authority not granted by law, nor
necessary to its faithful and effectual
execution.
His rule has, in fact, been one Of
absolute tyranny. without reference to
the principles of our Government, or
nature of our free institutions. The
state of affairs which has resulted
from the course he has pursued, has
seriously interfered with a harmo-
NOUS, satisfactory, and speedy execu-
ton of the acts of Congress, and is
alone sufficient to justify a change.
His removal, therefore, cannot be
regarded as an effort to defeat the
laws of Congress, for the object is to
facilitate their execution, through an
officer who has never failed to obey
the law and to exact within his urls
diction a like obedience from others.
It can not be interpreted by the I'M
reconstructed 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 method
of restoring order, as triumph, for
as intelligent men, they must know
that the mere change of military COM
manders. cannot alter the law, and
that General Thomas will be as much
bound by its requirements as General
Sheridan. 1t cannot 'embolden them
to renewed opposition to the will of
the loyal masses, believing that they
have the Executive with them, for
they are perfectly familiar with the
antecedents of the President, and
know that he has not INSTRUCTED the
faithful execution of any of the laws
of Congress.
No one, as you are aware, has
higher appreciation than myself Of the
services of Gen. Thomas. No one
would be less inclined to assist him to
command not entirely to his wishes.
Knowing him as [ do, cannot think
that he will hesitate for moment to
obey my order, having in view a COM
plete and speedy restoration of the
Union, in the preservation of which
he has rendered such important ser
vice. Gen. Hancock is known to the
whole country as a gallant, able, and
patriotic soldier, and will, / have no
doubt, sustain his high reputation in
any position to which he may be as
signed. AS you observe, the Depart
ment which he will have is a compli--
Gated one. feel confident that under
the guidance and instruction of Gen.
Sherman, Gen. Sheridan will soon be-
come familiar with its necessities, and
will avail himself of the opportunity
afforded by the Indian trouble for the
display of the energy. enterprise. and
daring which gave him so enviable
reputation during the recent civil
struggle.
" In assuming that it is the ex-
pressed wish of the people that Gen
eral Sheridan should not be removed
from his present command, you re-
mark that this is Republic based
however, upon a written Constitution.
That constitution is the combined and
expressed will of The people, and their
voice is law when reflected in the
manner which that instrument pre-
scribes. While one of its provisions
makes the President Commander in
chief of the army and navy, another
requires that he shall take care at
the laws be faithfully executed.
" Believing that change in com
mand in the Fifth Military District
is absolutely necessary for a faithful
execution of the law, | have issued
the order which is the subject of this
correspondence. In thus exercising
power that inheres in the Execu-
tive, under the Constitution, as Com
mander- in chief of the army and
navy, [ am discharging duty requir-
ed of me by the will of the Nation.
as formally declared in the sunreme