Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-08-28

| WASHINGTON, August 27.-The follow
ing is the reply Of President johnson Il
General Grants note protesting agains
the displacement of Sheridan and others
EXECUTIVE MASsIoN, I
WASHINGTON, ID. O., August 10, 1871
GENERAL: / have received your COM
munication of the 18th inst, and thanh
you for the promptness With which you
have submitted your views re specting the
assignments directed in my order oil
that date. When l stated in my Official
note of the 18th that | would be pleased
to hear any suggestions you might deem
necessary upon the subject, it was not
my intention to ask from you formal
report, but rather TO invite verbal state.
ment Of any reasons affecting the public
interest, which, in your opinion, would
render the orderinexpedient Inasmucb,
however, as you have written commu-
nication, it is proper that should make
some reply.
You earnestly urge that the order be
not insisted on, remarking that it is
unmistakably the expressed will Of the
country that Gen. Sheridan should not
be removed from his present command.
While am cognizant of the efforts that
have been made to retain General
Sheridan in command Of the fifth mill
tary district, / am not aware that the
question has ever been submitted to the
people themselves for determination. It
certainly would be unjust to the army to
assume that, in the opinion of the ma.
ton, he alone is capable of commanding
the States of Louisiana and Texas, and
were he for any cause removed, no other
General in the military service of the
United States would be competent to Gil
his place. General Thomas. whom
have designated as his successor, is we'll
known to the country, having won high
and honorable distinction in the field.
he has since, in the execution of the
responsible duties Of department COM
mander, exhibited great ability, sound
discretion and sterling patriotism. He
has not failed, under trying circum-
stances, to enforce the laws, to preserve
peace aud order, to encourage the resto-
ration of civil authority, and to promote,
as far as possible, spirit of reconcilia-
ton. His administration of the Depart.
meut OF the Cumberland will certainly
compare most favorably with that of
General Sheridan in the Fifth Military
District. The affairs appear to be in a
disturbed condition and bitter spirit of
sntagonism seems to have resulted from
General Sheridan's management. He
has rendered himself exceedingly OBJ
noxious by the manner in which he has
even the powers conferred
upon him by Congress, and still more SO
by resortts authority not granted by
law nor necessary to its faithful and
efficient execution. His rule has in fact
been one of absolute tyranny, without
reference to the principles of our Gov
eminent or the nature of our free insti-
tutions.
The state Of affairs which has resulted
from the course he has pursued has
seriously interfered with q harmonious
and satisfactory and speedy execution of
the acta of Congress, and is alone suf-
ficient to justify change His removal,
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
jurisdiction like obedience from others.
1t cannot be interpreted by the unre
constructed element fthe South-"these
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 a tFi-
umph; for, as intelligent men, they must
know that the mere change of military
commanders cannot alter the law, and
that General Thomas will be as much
bound ny It's 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 obstructed the faithful execution of
any act of Congress.
No one, as you are aware, has higher
than myself of the services
of General Thomas, and no one would
be less inclined to assist him to com
mand not entirely to his wishes
Knowing him as do, l cannot think
he will hesitate for a moment to obey my
order, having in view a complete and
speedy restoration of the Union, in the
Of which he has rendered
such important aud valuable service.
General Hancock, known to the whole
country as a gallant, able and patriotic
soldier, will, | have no doubt, sustain
his high reputation in any position in
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
struc,ions of General Sherman, General
Sheridan will sooa become familiar with
ito necessities, and will avail himself of
the opportunity afforded by the Indian
troubles for the display of the energy,
enterprise and daring which gave him so
enviable reputation during tho recent
struggle.
In assuming that it is the expressed
wish of the people that Gen. Sheridan
should not be removed from command,
you remark that it is a Republic, based,
however, upon a written constitution.
The Constitution is the combined and
expressed will of the people, and their
voice is law whom reflected in the man
ner which that instrument prescribes
While one Of its provisions makes the
President commander-in-chief Of the
army and navy, another requires that he
shall take care that the law be faithfully
executed. Relieving that a change in
the command 10 the Fifth Military Dis
trict is absolutely necessary for faith
ful execution OF the law, have issued
the order which is the subject Of this
correspondence.
AEDREW JOHNSON.
The order assigning Hancock TO