The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-16
wAsrrroroN. Dec. "A. 1861.
The Removal of Secretary stanton.


The Removal of Secretary Stanton.
The following is the communication from the Prcsi-
dent of the United States relating to the suspension
from the Office of Secretary Of War; OF Edwin NJ
To the Senate of the United states:-On the 18th OF
August last, suspended Mr. Stanton from the eXer-
else of the Office of Secretary Of War; and on the same
day designated General Grant to act as Secretary oil
War dd interim.
The following copies Of the Executive orders:-
EXECUTIVE MANsIoS WAsmSGToN, Aug. ~ 1851
Sir-Bv virtue of the power and authority vested in
President, by the Constitution and laws OF the
United States You are hereby suspended from ohce as
Secretary of War and will to exercise any and
all functions pertaining to the same.
You will at once transfer to General Ulysses 5.
Grant who has this day been authorized and empow-
cred to act as Secretary ofWar dd Interim all records
books papers, and other public property now in your
The Hon Edwin NJ Stanton, Secretary of War.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, d. G., Aug. II,
1S6I.-Sir:-The Hon. Edwin Nj. Stanton having been
this day suspended as Secretary of War, you are
hereby authorized and empowered to act as Secretary
OF War ad incrin and will at once enter upon the dis
charge Of the duties of the office.
The Secretary Of War has been instructed to trans
Ter to you all the records, books papers and other
General Ulysses s. Grant, Washington, d, C..
The following communication was received from
WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON CRY, Aug. 70, 1867.
-Sir:-Hour note OF this date has been received,
thoty vested in You President by the Constitution
and Laws of the United States, am suspended from
Office as Secretary Of War, and will cease to exercise
any and all functions pertaining to the same; and
also directing at once to transfer to General
Ulysses S. Grant, who has TINS day been authorized
and empowered to act as Secretary of War ad Interim
all records, book papers and other public property,
now in my custody and charge
Under a sense Of public duty, I am compelled to
deny your right under the Constitution and laws Of
the United States without the advice and consent of
the Senate and without legal cause, to suspend me
from Office Secretary of War; the exercise of
or all functions pertaining TO the game, or without
such advice and consent to compel to transfer
any person the records books papers and public pro-
perty in my custody rs Secretary.
nY,f fN1C oh n NM iDO 10
armies Of the United States has been appointed al
interim and has notified me that he has accepted the
appointment, have no alternative but to submit,
under protest, to superiorfor
TO the President.
The suspension has not been revoked and the bust
Of the War Department conducted by the Secre-
tary ad interim Prior to the date of this suspension,
had come to the conclusion that the time had arrived
when it was proper Mr.. stanton should retire from
my Cabinet. The mutual confidence and general ac
cord which should exist in such relation had ceased
j supposed that Mr. Stanton was well advised that his
continuance in the Cabinet was contrary TO my wishes
for had repeatedly given him so to understand by
every mode short OF express request that he should
resign Having waited full time for the voluntary ac-
zion Of Mr. Stanton, and seeing no manifestation on
following note on the 9Th of August =
Sr;-Pubhc considerations of high character con-
strain me to that your resignation as Secretary Of
TO this note received the fogwing reply:-
WAR DEpAETMENT, WAsHMGToN, Aug. 8 1851
Sir-Your note of this dayhGs been received stating
That public considerations of high character con.
strrn you to say that my resignation as Secretary OF
In reply have the honor to say that public con-
alterations of high character, which alone nave IN
duced to continue at the head of this department.
constrain not to resign the Office of Secretary OF
War before the next meeting of Congress.
This reply of Mr.. Stanton was not merely decna-
tion of compliance with the request for his resgna-
tion; it was defiance, and something more. Mr..
Stanton does not content himself with assuming that
public considerations bearing upon his continuance in
Office form fully rule OF action for himself for
The President Mt and d that upon 50 delicate question as
the officer is competent and impartial to decide
his superior who is responsible for his conduct but
he goes further and plainly intimates what he means
by "public considerations Of high character" aud
this nothing else than his loss Of confidence in his
superior He says that these public considerations
have "alone induced me to continue at the head OF
this department." and that they constrain me not To
resign the office OF Secretary of War before the next
meeting of Congress-"
This languageis very significant. Mr.. Stanton holds
the position unwillingly. He is ready TO leave when
it is safe to leave and as the danger which he appre
hends from his removal then will not exist when Con-
gress is here he is constrained to remain during the
Interim What, then, is that danger which can only
be aYered by the presence OF Mr. Stanton of Con
Rress? Mr. stanton does not say that ''public con.
alterations OF high character constran him to hold
to the Office indefinitely. He does not say that no
one other than himself can at any time be found to
take his place and perform his duties. On the
trary, he expresses desire to leave the office at the
earliest moment consistent with these high public
considerations.
He says, in effect, that while Congress is away he
must remain but that when Congress Is here he can
20. In other words he has lost confidence in the Pre-
Bident, He is unwilling TO leave the War Department
in his hands, or in the hands OF any the President
may appoint designate TO perform its duties. If he
resigns the President may appoint Secretary OF War
ihat Mr. Stanton does not approve. Therefore, he
will not resign. But, when Congress is in session the
President cannot appoint Secretary of War which
Lhe Senate does not approve. Consequently when
Congress meets Mr.. Stanton is ready to resign
g, Whatever cogency these considerations may have
1 1ha9 upon Mr. Stanton, whatever right he may have
au 70 entertain such considerations, whatever pro
Piiety there might be in the expression of them Ia
nthers one thing Is certain 1t was official misconduct
rior officer NF0
Upon the receipt Of this extraordinary note only
ueayed Tue oIuer OF suspension long enough to make
me necessary arIangnents TO I'LL the office II this
ample Necessarily IL must end our most NJ
official relations, for cannot IMAGINE daTres ~ a.
frOntery which would embOlden the head ~ de,,ar
ment 10 take his seat at the council table In the Ee
cutiYe Mansion after such an act. Nor can iInsoin
nifty whichsbeong to his office to submit to sncb iS
truson. will not do Mr.. Stanton the wrong 10 snn
pose that he entertained any idea of Offering to act
one ofmy constitutional advisers after that note wa
written. There was an interval OF a week between
that date and the order of suspension, during whie
two Cabinet meetings were held. Mr. Stanton did no
present himself at either; nor was he expected.
On the 18th of August, Mr.. Stanton was notified @
his suspension, and that General Grant had been au
thorzed TO take charge of the department In hi
answer to this notification, of the same date MI
stanton expresses himself as follows :-"Under sens
Of public duty am compelled TO deny your righ
nnder the Constitution and laws Of the United States
without the advice and consent of the Senate, to sus
pend me from Office as Secretary Of War, the
else OF any OF AL functions pertaining to the same
without such ADVICE and consent to compel me
transfer 70 any person the records books, papers AM
public property In my custody as Secretary But nas
much much as the General commanding the the armies o