The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-20
Things in Washington.

THE REMOVALS OF STANTON AND sHERIDAN-GENE-
RAJ GRANTS LETTER "MARKED PRIvATE'-coM-
MUN1cATIoN TO CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON December 17.-General Grant sent
to-day, in compliance with a resolution OF the
House OF Representatives, adopted November ~,
the correspondence in relation to the removal @ OF
Secretary of War Stanton, Major-Generals Sherl-
dan and Sckles, the state OF affairs IN the recon
structed States, and in relation to the Baltimore
police difficulties.
The correspondence covers something over a
hundred pages manuscript but has mostly been
given to the public already. The following is the
private letter from General Grant to the Presl,
dent respecting which so much has been said, and
the publication of which has been so anxiousy ex-
pected: -,
ington, D. c., August l, 1867 Private: His
Excellency A. Johnson, President OF the United
States-Sir: take the liberty CT addressing you
privately on the subject Of the conversation we
had this morning, feeling as do the great dan
ger to the w,lfare of the country should you
carry out the designs then expressed.
First On the subject OF the displacement OF the
Secretary Of War. His removal cannot be effected
against his will without the consent Of the Senate.
1t is but short time since the United states sen,
ate was in session, and why not then have asked
for his removal if it WAS desired? 1t certainly
was the intention OF the legislative branch OF the
government to place cabinet ministers beyond the
bower of Executive removal, and it ls pretty well
affected by the tenure-of-ofice bill 1t was intended
specially to protect the Secretary of War, whom
the country felt great confidence in. The mean
ing Of the law may be explained away by an astute
lawyer but common sense and the views OF loyal
people will give to it the effect intended by its
trainers.
Second. On the subject of the removal of the
very able commander of the fifth military district,
let me ask you to consider the effect it would have
upon the public. He is unusually and deserv@dly
I,,, tha, vhn
ment through It's trials, and feared by those who
would still be enemies of the government.
1t fell to the lot of but few men to do as much
against an armed enemy as General Sheridan did
during the rebellion, and it is within the scope OIL
tho ability OF few in this or other countries to do
what he has. His civil administration has given
equal satisfaction. He has had difficulties to con-
tend with which no other district commander has
encountered. Almost if not quite, from the day
he was appointed district commander to the pres
ent time the press has gyon out that he was to be
removed that the administration was dissatisfied
with him, &c.
This has emboldoned the opponents to the laws
Of Congress within his command TO oppose him III
every way in their power. and has rendered neces-
sary measures which otherwise may mover have
been necessary
In conclusion, allow mo to say, as friend de-
string peace and quiet, the welfare of tho whole
country North and South, that it is, in my opn-
ion, more than the loyal people Of this coun-
L
during the great robellion) will quietly submit to
sec the very men of all others who they have
expressed confidence in, removed.
[ would not have taken the liberty of addressing
tho Executive OF tho United States thus, but for
the conversation on tno subject alluded to III this
letter, and from sense OF duty, feeling that
know am right in this matter. With great re-
Op' U. S. GRANT, General.
Under date of January 25th 1867, is report
r.. Chari1 riv fylp opnnnDt
of the condition OF Union men and freedmen in
various parts of the State, which he describes
as 'truly horrible" He says: "rhe government
is denounced, the freedmen arc shot and Union
men are prosecuted ii they havo the tcmerity to
express their opinions"
On this is General Grants endorsement, rs fol-
lows:
Headquarters A,mieS ofHe United Stotes, WASH
ngton d. c., January &C. 1877 Respectfully for
warded to the Secretary Of War; Attention is in
vited to that portion OF the within communication
which refers to the condition of Union men and
freedmen in Texas, and to the powerlessness OF
the military, in tho present state of affairs to al
ford them protection. Even the moral effect OF
the presence OF troops is passing away, and few
days ago squad Of soldiers on duty in Browns
vile was fred on by citizens. In my opniOn, the
great number OF murders of Union men and freed
men in Texas--not only rs rule unpunshed. but
nvnstigatedconstitute practically state OF III
suIrecton and believing it to be the province and
duty of every good government to afford protec-
ton to the lives liberty and property of her citi
zons would recommend the declaration of mar
tial law in Texas, to secure these ends The ne
cessity for governing any portion of our territory
by martial law is to be deplored. If rcsortod to it
should be limited in its authority, and should
leave ali local authorities and civil tribunals free
and unobstructed until they proved their neflice
cy or unwillingncss to perform their duties. Mar
tial law would give security Or comparatively So
to all classes OF citizens, without regard to race,
nOIltIcal ODlulOn .0uli n
until society was capable OF protecting itself, or
until the State is returned to ts full relation with
the Union. The application OF martial law to one
OF these States would be warning to ALL and, if
necessary could be extended to others
u. s, GRANT, General
A note to the above, by General Grant, SAYS ::
mo action was had by the civil authorities upon
the foregoing recommendation"