The national Republican., 1867-08-27

tnrOugn an 0fhcer who has never JAILED TO
obey the statutes Of the land, and to exact
within his jurisdiction q like obedience
from others.
1t cannot be Interpreted by, the unre.
constructed element in the South, those
who did all they could TO break up this
Government by arms and now wish TO be
the only element consulted rs to tho mode
OF restoring order, as triumph" For, as
intelligent men, they must know that the
mere change Of military commanders can
nos alter law, and that General Thomas
will be as much bound by its requirements
as General Sheridan. II cannot embolden
them to renewed opposition to the will Of
the loynl masses, believing that they have
the Executive with them, for they are per-
fectly 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, as you are aware,
has higher appreciation than myself OF
the services Of General Thomas, and no
one would be less inclined to assign Kim
to command not entirely to his wishes.
knowing him as l do, cannot think he
viii hesitate for moment to obey any
order having in view complete and speedy
restoration Of the Union, in the preserva-
ton Of which he has rendered such impor-
tant and valuable services. General Han
cock, known to the whole country as q
gallant able, and patriotic soldier. will, l
have no doubt, sustain his high reputation
in anyposition to which he may be assigned.
II, as you observe, the Department
which he will have is complicated one,
feel confident that under the guidance and
Instructions of Gen. Sherman Gen. Sheri-
dan will soon become familiar with its ne.
cessities, and will avail himself OF the op-
portunity afforded by the Indian troubles
for the display Of energy, enterprise and
daring which gave him so enviable repu-
taton during our civil struggle in assum-
ing that II is the expressed wish Of the
people that Gen. Sheridan should not be
removed from his present command; you
remark that "this is Republic where the
will Of the people is the law Of the land, )"
and then "that their voice may be heard"
This is indeed Republic; based, however,
upon written Constitution. That Con-
stitution is the combined and expressed
will Of the people, and their voice is law
when reflected in the manner which that
instrument prescribes. While one Of its
provisions makes the President Com.
mander-in-C Chief of the Army and Navy,
another requires "he shall take care that
the law is faithfully executed" Believing
that change Of command Of the Fifth
district is absolutely necessary for faith
fnl execution of the laws, have issued the
order which is the subject Of this corre-
spondence; and in thus exercising power
that inheres in the Executive under the
Constitution, as Commander-in-C Chief Of
the military and naval forces, 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 pre-.
serve protect, and defend the Constitu-
ton. Although in times of great excite
ment it may be lost to public view, it is
his duty, without regard to the conse-
quence 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 Con-
gress for the exercise Of legislative powers,
no Executive to see that the laws are
faithfully executed, no judiciary to afford
to the citizen protection of life, limb, or
property. Usurpation would inevitably
follow, and despotism be fixed upon the
people, in 'iolotion Of thelr CUmblued and
expressed will. In conclusion, fail to
perceive "any military, any pecuniary, or
any patriotic reasons" why this order
should not be carried into effect. You
will remember, in the first instance, I did
not consider General Sheridan the most
suitable officer for the command of the
Fifth Military District. Time has strength
ened my convictions upon this point, and
has led me to the conclusion that patriotic
considerations demand that he should be
superseded by an officer who, while he
faithfully execute the law, at the same
time give more general satisfaction to the
people, white and black, North and South.
am, General, very respectfully yours,
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Gen. U. S. GRANT, Secretary of War ad
interim