Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-08-30
JOHNSON TO GENERAL GRANT.

PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO GENERAL GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 10, 1867
GENERAL: have received your commu-
nication of the 18th inst, and thank you
for the promptness with which you have
submitted your views respecting the as
signments directed in my order Of that date
When l stated in my unofficial note of the
18th that [ would be pleased to hear any
suggestions you might deem necessary upon
the subject, it was not my intention to ask
from you formal report. but rather to in
vite verbal statement of any reasons, al
fecting the public interests, which, IN your
opinion, would render the order inexpe-
dent. Inasmuch, however, as you have
embodied your suggestions in q written
communication, it is proper that L should
make some reply. You earnestly urge that
the order be not insisted on, remarking
that it els Enthusiastically the expressed
wish of the country that General Sheridan
should not be removed from his present
command" While [ am cognizant of the
efforts that have been made to retain Gen
eral Sheridan in command of the Fifth
Military District [ am not aware
that tho question has ever been submitted
to the people themselves for determination.
It certainly would be unjust to the army to
assume that in the opinion Of the nation
lie alone is capable of commanding the
States of Louisiana and Texas, and that
were he for any cause removed, no other
geneaal in the military service of the Uni
ted States would be competent to fill his
place, General Thomas, whom l have de-
signated as his successor, is well known to
| the country. Having won high and hon
| orable distinction in the field, he has since,
| in the execution of the responsible duties
| of O. department commander, exhibited
great ability, sound discretion, and sterling
patriotism :; he has not failed under the
most trying circumstances, to enforce the
laws, to preserve peace and order, to en-
courage the restoration Of civil authority,
and to promote, as far as possible, spirit
of reconciliation. His administration OF
| the Department of the Cumberland Will
certainly compare most favorably with that
Of Gen. Sheridan in the Fifth Military Dis
trict. These affairs appear to be in q dis
turbed condition, and bitter spirit eff an
tagonism seems to have resulted from Gen
eral Sheridan's management. lie has rem
dered himself exceedingly obnoxious by
the manner in which he has exercised even
the powers conferred by Congress and stIl
more so by resort to authority not grant
| ed by law, nor necessary to IFS faithful and
efficient execution. His rule has, in fact
been one of absolute tyranny, without re-
ference to the principles of our Govern
ment, or the nature OF our free 1nstltu'
tons. The state of affairs which has re-
suited from the course he has pursued
has seriously interfered with harmonious,
satisfactory, and speedy execution of the acts
of Congress, and is alone sufficient to justify
a. change. His removal, therefore, cannot
be 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 jurlsdlctlon
like obedience from others. It cannot be
interpreted by "the unreconstructed ele