The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-10-14

both the constitutional amendments,
and he hailed the Reconstruction Act
of the Thirty ninth Congress as the
solution of our difficulties, and he
entered upon the discharge of his
duties under that act with zeal, vigI-
lance and fidelity. Sympathizing with
Congress, in its actions appreela-
ting the importance of its being in
session,-.he urged and advised such
action as would secure an extra SEES
sion, if necessary. When that session
came he expressed the most serious
fears of the effect of long adjourn
ment, and with a far-reaching tsagac
ity, anticipating the precise state. of
things that has occurred, he used all
his influence with Senators to haye'
them adopt the House provision Of
the amended bill requiring the assent
of the Senate to the removal OF the
aforementioned the
Reconstruction Acts, no effort of his
has been wanting to secure their en-
foreement in the letter and spirit, to-
the end that the Union might be
speedily and fully restored.
He believes there, is no protection
or safety to the fcolored. people and
the loyal white people in the rebel
States except through impartial snf-,
fr0ge. q The reconstruction acts hav-
ing recognized the entire equality of
American citizens in the States lately
inIrebellion, he believes that consis--
tency as well as impartial justice de-
mand that there should be no dis
elimination against any class of per-.
sons in any of the States. His sym
lpathies, > his convictions, and his
hopes are now as they always have
been, with theE great, patriotic and
loyal people that carried the country
tire ugh the war. He isin fayoTsof up.
holding the honor and credit ofthe az
itional Governmental holds that all
our obligations! must be discharged in
conformity to the terms on wilic h they
were eontracted. He thinks that
there should be. exercised by Com
gress and by all departments of the
Government, more rigid and search
ing economy j in the expenditure Of
the public money. And wherever
he has had control, he has had struck
off every uselessiexpense and reformed
every buse.E - -
WHY HE ACCEPTED THE SECRETARY
SHIP ssu ,.-
General Grant occupies at the pres
ept time the position of Secretary of
War, ad interim, in the cabinet of
Mr.. Johnson. His action in accept
ing the position had been the subject
of a great deal of comment. It ex-
cited the fears of many good and
loyal men. 1t invoked the denu ncia-
ton of enemies and brought forth
the excuses of friends. i He accepted
that position, not as has been alleged,
IN obedience to the commands of a
superior officer, but from the, stern
sense of duty to his country The
President had determined to remove
the Secretary of War at all hazards
and without excuse or justification.
The President thought to relieve him
self from the odium Of Mr.. Stanton's
removal and draw attention, from that
action, by offering the place to Gen.
Grant. What was to be done?
Should the General step into the
shoes of Mr.. Stanton and WELD all |
the legitimate powers of the depart
ment In aid of reconstruction and in
support of the district commanders
in the management Of the Indian war
and the supervision of war contracts?
Should he be there to resist the raid
of the thieves and plunderers and |
war claim agents, whom Stanton had |
held at bay, and who were waiting to |
thrust their arms into the treasury to |
filch untold millions of the public |
money, or should he refuse, and |
permit that most important posi-
ton to be filed by Copperhead |
and johnson man, who would him |
der reconstruction, who would de- |
moralize the army, who would sane |
ton fraudulent and bogus claims of
rebels and bring reproach generally /
upon the public service. General |
Grant did not. therefore, hesitate to |
accept the position and all It's respon-.
and his action had the con-
currence of Mr.. Stanton. Indeed, no
steps scere taken az that whole bassness
ercept upon full consultation and I'M
bet,0een those t,ro distin-
guished men Under such circum-
stances the loyal men of the couH- +
try would have had good cause to CEN
sure General Grant had he refused the
position. The very man who had cen I
sured him most for taking it, would
now have been sensuring him more
for not taking it. They would have
said that, protesting to be in sympa-
thy with the loyal men and in favor
of reconstruction, he shrank from the
responsibility of a place offered to
him in which he could have been of
inestimable service to the country,
and by such refusal the War Depart
ment went into the hands of the
enemy. But the General wants no