The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-30
EXECUTIVE MANSION,


WASHINGTON, d. c., August 10.
GENERAL: I have received your
communi cation of the 18th instant,
and thank you for the promptness
with which you have submitted your
views respecting the assignments di-
rected in my order of that date.
When I stated, in my official note of
the 18th, that I would be pleased to
hear any suggestions you might deem
necessary upon the subject, it was
not my intention to ask from you o
formal report, but rather to invite a
verbal statement of any reasons affect
ing the public interests which, in your
opinion, would render the order in
expedient. Inasmuch, however, as
you have embodied your suggestions
in written communication, it is pro-
per that should make some reply.
You earnestly urge that the order
be not insisted on, remarking that
sit is unmistakably the expressed
wish of the country that Gen. Sheri-
dan should not be removed from his
present command" While L am
cognizant of the efforts that have
been made to retain General Sheri-
dan in command of the Fifth Mill
tary District, I am not aware that the
question has ever been submitted to
the people themselves for determine
ton. 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
bic for any cause removed, no other
general in the military service of the
United Ststes would be competent to
fill his place. General Thomas, whom
Fhaye designated as his successor, is
well known to the country. Having
won high and honorable distinction
in the field, he has since, in the exc
cution of the responsible duties of O
department commander, exhibited
great ability, sound discretion and
sterling patriotism. He has not failed,
under the most trying circumstances,
to enforce the laws, to preserve peace
and order, to encourage the restora-
tion of civil authority, and to pro-
mote, as far rs possible, a spirit of
reconciliation. His administration of
the Department of the Cumberland
will certainly compare favorably with
that of General Sheridan in the Fifth
Military District. There affairs ap-
pear to be in disturbed condition,
and bitter spirit of antagonism
seems to have resulted from General
Sheridan's management. He has rem
derod himself exceeding obnoxious
by the manner i'll which he has exer-
cised even the powers conferred by
Congress, and still more so by re-
sort to authority not granted by law
nor necessary to its faithful and eff
cient execution. His rule has, in fact,
been one Of absolute tyranny, with
out reference to the principles of our
Government or the nature of our free
institutions. The state of affairs
which has resulted from the course
he has pursued has seriously inter
fered with harmonious, satisfactory
and speedy execution of tho Acts Of
Congress, and is alone sufficient to
Justify change. His removal, there
fore, cannot "be regarded as an effort
to defeat the laws of Congress-" for
the object is to facilitate their execu-
ton, through an officer who has never
failed to obey the statutes of the land,
and tc, exact, within his jurisdiction,
like obedience from others. It can.
not "be interpreted by the unrecon-
structed element in the South-those
who did all they could to break up
this Government by arms. and now