The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-08-30
EXECUTIVES MANSION,


GENERAL :. have received your commit
nica,ion Of the 18th inst, and thank you
for the promptness with which you have
submitted your views respecting the assign
ments in my order of that date. When
stated In my unofficial note of the 18th that
I would be pleased to hear any suggestions
you might deem necessary upon he sub
ject, il was not my intention to nsk from
you formal report, but rather to invite q
verbal statement Of any reasons affecting
the public interests which in your opinion
would render tho order inexpedient. In.
asmuch, however, as you have embodied
your suggestions in written comnunica.
ton, il is proper that should make some
reply. You earnestly urge that the or'ler
be not insisted on, remarking that III Is un.
mistakably the expressed wish of the coun.
try that Gen. Sheridan should not be re-
moved from his present command While
am cognizant Of The efforts that have been
made to retain Gen. Sheridan in command
of the Fifth Military District, am not
aware that the question has ever been SUBJ
mitted TO the people themselves Tor de-
termination. 1t would certainly he unjust
to the army to assume that IN the opinion
Of the nation he alone is capable OF conf
manding the States Of Louisiana and Tex.
as, and that were hc for any cnlise removed
no other General in The military service Of
the United States would DO competent 10
fill his place. Gen. Thomas, whom have
designated rs his Successor, is well known
in the country, having won high
distinction in the field. He has since, in
the execution Of The responsible duties OF
department commander, exhibited great
ability, sound discretion and sterling pairl'
otism. Tic has not failed under the most
irving circumstances TO enforce the laws, to
preserve peace and order, to encourage The
restoration Of civil authority, and to promote
ms far as possible spirit OF reconciliation.
Ills administration Of the department Of The
Cumberland will compare most ihvorably
with that of Gen. Sheridan in tho 9Th Mill
tary district. There, affairs appear to bo in
n disturbed condition, and hitter spir It OF
antaronism seems to have resulted from
Gen. Sheridun's management. lie has
rendered himself extremely obnoxious by
the manner i'm which he has exercised even
the powers conferred by Congress, and still
more so by resort to authority not granted
by law, or necessary to its faithful and efii-
Gent execution. Ills rule has, in fact, been
one of absolute tyranny, without refer meet to
the principles Of our Government or the
nature of our free institutions The state
of affairs which has resulted from tho course
he has pursued has seriously interiered
with a harmonious, satisfactory and speedy
execution of the acts Of Congress, and Is
alone sufficient to justify a change. His
removal. therefore, cannot he 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 statutes of the land, and to exact
within his jurisdiction a like allegiance from
others. Itcannot be Interpreted by the
unreconstructed element in the South
those who did all they could to break up
the Government by arms, and now wish to
be the only element consulted as to the
method OF restoring order-as a triumph
for, rs intelligent men. they must know that
the mere change Of military commanders
cannot alter the law, and that Gen. Thom-
as will be as much bound by his require
ments as Gen. Sheridan. II cannot embold.
en- them to renewed opposition to the will
Of the loyal mass, believing that they have
the Executive with them for they are per
fcc,ly familiar with the antecedents OF the
President, and know that he has not OBJ
structed the faithful execution of any act OF
Congress. No one, rs 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 command
not entirely consonant with his wishes.
Knowing him as do, cannot think that
he will hesitate for moment to obey my
orders having in view complete and
speedy restoration Of the Union, in the pres
eryniion Of which he has rendered such i'm
portant and valuable services. Gen. Han
cock, known to the whole country rs gal
liant, abe and patriotic soldier, will have
no doubt, sustain his high reputation in any
position to which he may be assigned. If
Us you observe, the department which lie
win leave is complicated one, feel con.
fident that under the guidance and instr'ic.
ton Of Gen. Sherman, Gen. Sheridan VIII
soon become familiar with its necessities,
and will avail himself Of tho opportunity
afforded by tho Indian troubles for the dis
play Of tho energy, enterprise and daring
which gave him 20 cnviablo reputation
during our recent civil struggle. In nssuns.
ing that il is the expressed wish Of the pco-
pie that Gen. Sheridan should not be re.
moved from his present command, You re.
mark This is republic where the will
of the people If the law Of tho land, and