The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-09-06
President johnson TO General Grant
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASuTNGTON II G. Aup 10 {

my order of that date. When | stated,
in my unofficial note of the 18th, that
| would be pleased to hear any sugges-
tions you might deem necessary upon
the subject, it was not my intention to
ask from you formal report, but rath-
er to invite verbal statement Of any
reasons affecting the public interests
which, in your opinion, would render
the order ineXpedient. Inasmuch,
however, as you have embodied your
suggestions in written cOmmunica-
ton, it is proper that | should make
some reply.
You earnestly urge that the order be
not insisted on, rema. king that ''it is
Enthusiastically the expressed wish of
the country that General Sheridan
should not be removed from his pres
ent command" WhileIa am cognizant
of the efforts that have been made to
retain General Sheridan in command
of the Fifth Military District, / am not
aware that the question has ever been
submitted to the people themselves for
determination. 1t certainly would be
| unjust to the army to assume that, in
the opinion of the nation, he alone is
capable of commanding the States Of
/ Louisiana and Texas, and that, were
he for any cause removed, no other gen.
eral in the military service Of the Uni
| +,1 hn 70
his place. General Thomas, whom |
| have designated as his successor, is well
known to the country. Having won
high and honorable distinction in the
| field, he has since, in the execution of
| the responsible duties Of a department
commander, exhibited great ability,
sound discretion and sterling patriot
ism. He has not failed, under the most
trying circumstances, to enforce the
laws, to preserve peace and order, to
encourage the restoration of civil au-
thOrity and to promote, as far as posi-
bic, spirit of reconciliation. His adj
ministratiOn Of the Department of the
Cumberland will certainly compare
most favOrably with that of General
Sheridan in the Fifth Military Dis
trict. There affairs seem to be in a dis
turbed condition, and bitter spirit of
antagOnism seems to have resulted
from General Sheridan'S 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 authority not granted by law
nor necessary to its faithful and efficient
execution. His rule has, in fact, been
one Of absolute tyranny without refer
ence to the principles of our govern
ment or the nature Of our free institu-
tions. The state Ofaffairs which has re-
suited from the course he has pursued
has seriously interfered with harmO-
niOus, satisfactory and speedy eXecu-
ton of the acts of Congress, and is a
lone sufficient to justify change. His
removal, therefore, cannot "be regard
ed 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 statutes of
the land, and to exact, within his ur-
iSdictiOn, like obedience from others.
1t cannot "be interpreted by the unre-
constructed elementin the heSOuth-thOSe
who did all they could to break up this
,rOyarn DoaDt bXr arToS aDI now wish tO
be the only element consulted as to the
method of restoring Order-aS a tri-
umph; - for, as intelligent 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
General Sheridan. 1t cannot "embOld-
en- 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 Obstructed the faithful
execution Of any act of Congress.
No one, as you are aware, has high
erappreciation than myself Of the SER
vices OF General Thomas, and no one
would be less inclined to assign him to
a command not entirely to his wishes.
Knowing him as [ do, cannot think
that he will hesitate for a moment to
obey any order having in view COM
plete and speedy restoration of the L.
niOn, in the preservation Of which he
has rendered such important and valu
able services.
General Hancock, known to the whole
country as gallant, able and patriotic
soldier, will, have no doubt, sustain
his high reputation in any position to
which he may be assigned. If, as you
observe, the department which he will
leave is a complicated one, feel conf
! dent that, under the guidance and in
structiOns of Gen. Sherman, General
/ Sheridan will soon become familiar
with its necessities, and will avail him
self of the opportunity afforded by the
Indian troubles for the display of the
energy, enterprise and daring which
gave him so enviable reputation dur
ing our civil struggle.
In assuming that it is the expressed
wish of the people that Gen. Sheridan
should not be removed from his pres
ent command Won remark that this is