St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-08-30
The President and Gen. Grant.


The Boston Post of Monday contains
the letters which passed between Gen,
Grant and president Johnson, in conSe-
quence of the latter's asking the former
if he had any suggestions TO make re-
specting the issue of the order removing
Gen. Sheridan and making the other re-
cent military changes. The correspond
ence is as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE L s.,
WASHINGTON, Aug. ID, 1867.
HIS EucelIpncy Andrew JohmsoH, President
Of the United .StctteS.
SIR: I am in receipt of your order
of this date directing the assignment OF
Gen. G. II. Thomas TO the command OF
the 9TH military district, Gen. Sheridan
to the department of the Missouri and
Gen. Hancock TO the department OF the
Cumberland. Also of your note of this
date enclosing these instructions) say
Ing Before you issue instructions TO
carry into effect the enclosed order, |
would be pleased to hear any suggestions
YOU may deem necessary respecting the
assignments to which the order refers
am pleased to avail myself of this in
vitation to urge, earnestly urge in the
name of patriotic people who have sac
riticed hundreds of thousands of loyal
lives: and thousands of millions of trea
sure to preserve the integrity and union
of this country. that this order be not in
sisted upon. 1t is Enthusiastically the ex-
pressed wish of the country that General
Sheridan should not he removed from his
present command. This is a republic
where the will Of the people Is the law
of the land. | beg that their voice may
be heard. Gen. Sheridan has performed
his civil duties faithfully and intelligent
| ". His removal will only be regarded
as an effort TO defeat the laws OF Con-
gress. 1t will be interpreted b. the I'M
reconstructed element in the south. those
who Gid all they could 10 break up this
government by arms and now wish 10 be
the ONLY clement consulted As TO the
method of restoring order, as 4 triumph.
1t will embolden them TO renewed OppO-
stion TO the will OF the loyal masses, he
lieving that they have the executive with
them. The services of Gen. Thomas in
battling for the Union, entities him IL
some consideration. He has repeatedly
entered his protest against being assigned
10 either of the five military districts,
and especially 10 being as>i gnel TO re-
Iieve Gen Sheridan. Gen Hancock
ought not to be relieved from where h,
is. His department i a complicated
ono. which will take 4 new commander
some time to become acquainted with
There are military reasons, pecunlar,
reasons. and, above all. patriotic reason.
why this order should not he insisted on
be- 10 refer tC 4 letter marked private
which | wrote 10 the president when fir
consulted on the subject of the change il
the war department. Ii hra-> upon Tia
subject Of this removal and had hope,
would have prevented ii.
nave the honor 10 be-. with great re
Spect. Your obcdient servant.
l. \. GRANT.
Johnson's reply is long, and a. tn
Boston Journal gives the main points u
il We copy thcretrom a follows:
But how does this self-~ufiicient iunc
tionary meet this calm. wei-hiy anr
truthful protest lie devo;es more thai
twice the space occupied by Gen. Gran
to substantial repetition of one of hi
/ old rigmaroles about the Constitution
p OF course. he ignores the will OF the PEG
pie 1t Is a philosophical doctrine tha
a column of water no thicker than pip
, stem would balance any other body q
i water of the same hight even if il wrr
q the Atlantic ocean. And 50 AmlrCy
, Johnson appears TO entertain no douh
that his single will is aS much >upcrio
u to the will of the loval millions OF TIM
country as his station * above theirs. |
= other words, he has cot the idea that il
Is their autocrat and not their servant
But what has Gen. Sheridan done 10 tn
injury of the Constitution Nothing
certainly, that the president * able /
+. specify He talks vaguely about Sheri
: dams absolute TYRANNY" and saws al
IS fairs in his district appear TO be in 8
disturbed condition. and that "a bite
spirit of anta@oniSm'' seems t" have re
l. suited from his management. But a
the disturbance and the bitter spirit. it
:. well known, i in rebel quarters alone
q the Union people in Sheridan'S di>trit
are satisfied and harmonious, and onl
- disturbed by the prospect OF his remoya
And vet this is absolutely MI that ii
:, president can offer in justification of h
: removal of Gen. Sheridan. \ weak'
y aud more ignominiouS apology was nevc
i made by 4 public man.
" We are sincerely glad that this CORE
al pondence goes ont to the people 1t wi
do much TO neutralize the effects of Il
.c presidents course, by awakening 7
: earnest and vigilant public sentimcn
We only wish that Gen. Grants 9th
d" letter Preferred TO as marked private
y the correspondence) protesting again
a the suspension of secretary Stanton. con
ID also be made public; and it is possib
=, that that NAV be- the case, when Il
original reasons for it, privacy shall hay
Z been removed"
of Latest from Washington.