The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-08-28

i lar hp H..
( EXPRESSED wish of the country that Gen. shefluai
] should not be removed from his present COMMAND
The is republic where the will OF the people Is the
law of the land beg that their voice may DC nea,u
! Cen Sheridan has performed his civil duties fathias
and intelligently, and his removal VIII ohy Nc re-
oarded as an effort to defeat the mws OF Congress
will be interpreted by the unreconstruced element Y
the South-those who did all they could TO break W
this Government by arms, and now WISH 70 DC w
only element counseled as to the method OF restoring
order-as a triumph. It will emooden the'h w
newed opposition to the will OF the loyal masses oe
/ ieyng that they have the Executive with thein
The services of Gen Thomas in bathing LOT lAe
Union entities himsome to consideration lie mas re-
neatedv entered his protest against beng assignee 10
either of the FIVE military districts and especially 10
/ being assigned to relieve Gen. Sheridan
| Gen Hancock ought not to be removed from Whele Rs,
bo Is His denartment is complicated one which VIII
/ take n new commander some time 10 become ac-
oua,ted with There are military reasons pecunlary
reasons and above all patriotic reasons WY t's -
der should not be insisted on beg 20 reler 70 le',
ter marked private" which wrote to the ffesueiI
when first consulted on the subject OF the change III
tho War Department. 1t bears upon the subject OF
this removal, and had hoped would have prevented
it. have the honor to be, with great respect, your
| ohad;ant servant U. GRANT,
Gen. U S. A., and sec'y. of War; ad interim.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, I
Washington, D. c., August 10, 1857.
Geaeral-I have received your communication o o.
the nth inst and thank you tor the promptnesS VIII
which YOU have submitted your views respecting the
ASSIGNMENT directed in my order OF that date Mhen
stated in nv unofficial of the l7th that would
he n|cased to hear any suggestions you might deem
necessary upon the subject it was not my intention TO
ask from YOU a formal report, but rather to invite
verbal statement of any reasons Affecting te puoc
interests which, in your opinion, would render the Or
der nexpedient. Inasmuch, however, as you nave
cr1bodied your suggestions in written communlca-
tim it is proper that should make some reply. You
earnestly urge that the order be not insisted on re
marking that it is unmisakahfy the expressed wish or
the country that Gen. Sheridan should not be removed
from his present command While am cognzant OF
the efforts that have been made to retain yen 3hel
dan in command of the Fifth Military District l am
not aware that the question has ever been submitted
to the people themselves for determinations. 1t GER
tainly would be ust to the army to assume that IN
the opinion of the nation he alone Is capable OF com
handing the States of Louisiana and Texas, and that
were he for any cause, removed, no other general IN
the military service of the United States would be
competent to fill his place Gen Thomas, whom
have designated as his successor IS very well known
to the country Having won high and honorable dis
tction in the field he has since, In the execution OF
the responsible duties of department commander,
exhibited great ability, sound discretion and sterling
patriotism He has not failed under the most trying
circumstances enforce the laws, to preserve peace
and order encourage the restoration OF civil au
thority and to promote far possible spirit OF re-
of the Cumberland will certainly compare most favor
ably with that of Gen Sherdans in the Fifth Military
District There, affairs appear to be in disturbed
condition, and bitter spirit OF antagonsm seems to
have resulted from Gen. Sheridans management. He
has rendered himself exceedingly obnoxious by the
manner in which he has exercised even the powers
conferred by Congress, and still more so by resort to
authority granted by law necessity to its faith
full and efficient execution His rule has in fact tcen
one Of absolute tyranny without reference to the
principles of our free Institutions. The State of at
fairs which has resulted from the course he has pur
sued has seriously inerered with harmonious, sat
sfactory and speedy execution of the acts of Con-
gress and is alone sufficient to justify change. His
removal, therefore, cannot be regarded as effort
defeat the laws of Congress, for the object is to IA
cilitae their execution through officer who has
never failed to obey the statutes of the land and
act within his jurisdiction like obedience from 9TH
ers 1t be interpreted by the unreconsructed
element in the South those who did all they could
to break up this Government by arms, aud now wish
be the only element consulted to the method of
restoring order "-as triumph, for, as intelligent men,
they must know that the change of military
manders cannot alter the law, and that Gen. Thomas
will be as much bound by its requirements Gen.
Sheridan 1t cannot embolden them to renewed OPP
position to the will Of the loyal Masses believing that
they have the Executive with them, for they per-
fccty familiar with the antecedents of the President
and know that he has not obstructed the faithful
cution of any act of Congress NJ one YOU are
aware, has higher appreciation than myself of the
services of Gen. Thomas, and would be less
inclined to assign him to command entirely to
his wishes. Knowing him as | do cannot think that
he will hesitate for moment to obey any order hay-
ing in view the Union, for the preservation of which
he has rendered such important aud valuable services
Gen. Hancock, known to the whole country as a gal
liant, able and patriotic soldier, WILL have no Doubt
sustain his high reputation in any position to which he
may be assigned. IT. as you observe, the department
be will leave is complicated one I feel confident that
under the guidance ard instruction of Gen. Sherman
Gen. Sheridan will soon become familiar with its ne
cessites and will avail himself of the opportunity af-
orded by the Indian troubles for the display of the
energy, enterprise and daring which gave him so en-
viabe reputation during recent civil struggle.
In assuming that it is the expressed wish of the peo
pie that Gen. Sheridan should not be removed from
his present command, you remark that this is repub-
lc where the will OF the people is the law of the land
md beg that their voice may be heard This is in
Iced, republic, based however, upon written con-
ututlon That constitution is the combined and ex-
pressed will OF the people, and their voice is law when
effected in the manner which that instrument pre-
crlbes While one of its provisions makes the Pres
dent commander-in-chie of the army and navy
mother requires that he shall take care that the laws
'c faithfully executed. Believing that change in the
command of the Fifth Military District is absolutely
necessary for faithful execution of the laws have
ssued the order which is the subject of this correspon
renee, and IN thus exercising power that nheres in
NC LAeCHtlFe unueF tue constitution, commander
nchlef OF the military and naval forces am dscharc
ng duty required of me by the will of the nation,
5 formally declared in the supreme law of the land
y his oatb the Executive is bound to the best of his
bllty to preserve protect and defend the Constitu-
ION ana although Ill times of great excitement it NAV
e lost to public view, it is his duty, without regard
the consequences to himself to hold sacred and to
nforce any and all of its provisions ANY other course
;ould lead to the destruction of the republic. The f
constitution once abolished, there would be no Con- I
ress for the exercise Of legislative powers no Execu
I'VE to see that the laws faithfully executed, no
1dlclary to afford to the citizen protection for life
mo and property. Usurpaton would inevitably fol.
Nv, and despotism be fixed upon the people in vio-
ton OF their combined and expressed will. In con- l
fusion, fail to perceive any military, pecuniary or t.
arioc reasons why this order should not be carried
ito effect You will remember that, in the first in. .
lance, | did not consider Gen. Sheridan the most =
ultaple tor the command of the Fifth Military Dis .
net Time has strengthened my conclusion that pa-
'loue considerations demand that he should be s, Il
erceded by all officer who, while he will faithfully
xeeue the law will at the same time give more gen
raj satisfaction to the whole people, white and black
orth and South. N'N' P
am, general very respectfully yours,
ANDREW JOHNSON "
o U. 5 Grant, Secretary of War ad interim
The following is the letter of General Rousseau to .
eneral Grant, defending himself from the charge Of