Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-08-30

tho only efemcnt consulted as to the meth.
cd ofarestoring order as a iriumph," for.
q Intelligent men. they must know That
the mere change of military commanders
cannot alter the law and that Gen.
Thomas will be rs much bound by its re-
quifements a. Gen. Sheridan.
b Ii Cannot "cmboldcn them 10 renewed
opposition TO the will or the loyal mass
es, believing that the y have the Executive
with them" for they are perfectly familiar
with the antecedents Of tho President.
and know that he has not obsructed( the
faithful execution Of any act Of Con.
gress.
+ No one, rs you are aware, has higher
appreciation than myself Of the services of
General Thomas, aud no one would be
less inclined to assist him TO a command
not entirely to his wishes. Knowing him
as dc, | cannot think that he will hest.
tate for moment to obey M order, hav-
ing in view q complete and speedy rcstcr.
alton Of tho Union, in tho preservation OF
which no has rendered such important
service.
Gen. Hancock, known TO the whole
country as u gallant, able and patriotic
soldier, will, | have no doubt, sustain his
high reputation in any position to which
he may be assigned, II, as you observe,
tho department which ho will have is a
complicated one, ! feel confident that, un.
dor tho guidance and instructions Of Cen.
sherman, Gen. Sheridan will soon become
familiar with is necessities, aud viii avail
himself Of the opportunity afforded by
the Indian trouble for the display Of the
energy, enterprise and daring which gave
him no enviablo reputation during the
recent civil struggle,
In assuming that II 10 the expressed
wish Of the people that General Sheridan
should not BIO removed from his present
command. you remark that this is Re.
public. IL Is based, however, upon a
written Constitution. That Constitution
ia the eombiuod aud expressed will Of the
people, aud their voice Is law. whom re-
Elected Ia tho manner which that insiru.
ment preserbos. While one OF ts pro.
visions makes tho President Commander.
10 chief of Army aud Navy, another re-.
quires that he shall take care tina, tho law
be faithfully executed.
| Believing that change in command IN
the Fifth Military District is absolutely
necessary for faithful execution Of Tie
law | have issued the order which IL the
subject of this correspondence. In thus
exercising power that inheIes in the
Executive. under the Consultation, us
COMMANDMENT. Chief Of the army aud
navy, / sm dischaaging duty required OF
me by tho will Of the nation as formally
declared in tho Supreme law OF the land,
BY his oath the Executive Is soemnly
hound TO the best Of his ability TO pre-
serve, protect aud dcfend the Constitution,
and although IN times Of great excitement
IL be lost TO public view, II is bis duty
without regard 90 the consequences 20
himself TO hold il sacred aud to cniorce all
or any Gifts provisions. ANY other cour,e
would lead 20 the destruction OF the Re-
public. for il the Constitution we're once
abolished, there would be no Congress for
the exercise Of The legislative powers, no
Executive TO SEQ that tho laws arc faith.
fully executed, no Judiciary TO afford 60
the citizen protection for life, limb aud
property. OeulpaNon Wouiu lucNltaoly
follow and "a dcspotism DO fixed on the
people In violation Of their combined and
expressed will. a
In conclusion, fail 10 perceive any
military, peculiarly or patriotic reasons
Why the order should not bc carriediuto
effect You will remember that In the
Grst instance did not consider Gen.
Sheridan tho most suitable man for the
command Of tho Fifth Military District,
Timo'ha strengthened my convictions upon
that point, and has led mo TO the conclusion
that patriotic considerations demand that
he should be superseded by an officer who,
while he will faithfully execute the law,
will at tho same time give moro general
satisfaction TO tho whole people, white aud
black, North aud South.
lam, General, very respectfully yours,
i.at ~ ANDREw JOHNSON.
To Gen. U. S. Grant, Sec'y Of War, al
mforim.