Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-29


commanders cannot alter the law, and
that Gen. Thomas will be IS much bound
by It's requirements as Gen. Sheridan. IL
cannot embolden them to renewed oppo-
sition 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 DISTRACTED the
faithful execution of any act OF Congress.
No one as you are aware has a higher
appreciation than myself OF the services
OF Gen. Thomas, and no one would be
less inclined to assign him to acommand
not entirely TO his wishes. Knowing
him IS do, cannot think that he Will
hesitate for q moment to obey any order
having in view complete and speedy
restoration of the Union in the preserva'
tion OF which he has rendered such i'm
portant and valuable services. General
Hancock, known TO the whole country
as q gallant, able and patriotic soldier,
will, / have no doubt, sustain his high
reputation in any position to which he
may be assigned. II, you observe, the
department which he will leave Is q
complicated one, | feel confident that
under the guidance and Instructions OF
Gen. Sherman, Gen. Sheridan will soon
become familiar with its 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 our recent civil strug-
gle. In assuming that 1t Is the expressed
wish of the people that Gen. Sheridan
should not be removed from his present
command, you remark that this is re.
public where the will OF the people
is the law OF the land, and you beg
that their voice may be heard. This
is indeed republic, based however
upon q written constitution. That
constitution is the combined and
expressed will OF the people, and their
voice is law when reflected In the man
ner which that instrument prescrlbes.
While one OF its provisions makes the
President commander-inc chief Of the
army and navy, another requires that he
shall take care that the law be faithfully
executed. Believing that change in
the command OF the fitth military district
is absolutely necessary for faithful
execution OF the laws, l have issued the
order which is the subject OF this cores
pondence, and in thus exercising q power
that inheres in the executive under the
constitution as commander In chief OF
the military and naval forces, l am dis
charging duty required OF me by the
will of the nation as formally declared
in the supreme law OF the land. BY his
oath the executive is solemnly bound to
the best of his ability to preserve, pro-
tect and defend the constitution, and
although in times of great excitement it
may be lost TO public view, it is his duty
without regard to the consequences to
himself to hold sacred and to enforce any
and all OF its provisions. Any other
course would lead to the destruction Of
the republic, for the constitution once
abolished there would be no Congress
for the exercise OF legislative powers, nc
executive to see that the laws are faith
fully executed, no judiciary to afford tC
the citizens protection for life, limb and
property, usurpation would inevitably
follow and a despotism be fixed upor
the people in violation OF their combined
and expressed will. In conclusion | fai
to perceive any military, pecuniary O.
patriotic reasons why this order should
not be carried into effect You will re
member that in the first instance l dit
not consider Gen. Sheridan the mos
suitable officer for the command OF tn
fifth military district. Time ha
strengthened my convictions upon till
point, considerations demand that h
should be superseded by an officer who
while he will faithfully execute the law
will at the same time give more genera
satisfaction to the whole people, whit
and black, north and south.
am General very respectfully yours,
ANDREW JOHNSON.
To Ger, U. 8. Grant, Secretary OF Wal
ad interim.