Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-08-30

u was not my Intention to ask from you a
formal report, but rather to invite a verbal
statement OF any reason affecting the public
interests which, In your opinion, would rem
der the order inezpedient. Inasmuch. how
ever, as you have embodied your sugges-
tons In a written communication, ii is pro- |
per that l should maze some reply. i
! You earnestly urge that the order be not
insisted on, remarklng that 'it IS unmistak-
ably 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 General Sheridan in command of
the Fifth Military District, am not aware
that the question has ever been submitted TO
the people themselves for determination, Ii
certainly would be unjust 10 the army to
assume that, in the opinion of the nation.
he alone is capable OF commanding the States
OF Louisiana and Texas, and that, were he
for any cause removed, no other general in
tue military service of the United States
would be competent TO fill his place. Cen
eral Thomas, whom | have designated his
successor, is well known 10 the country.
Having won high and honorable distinction
in the field, he has since, in the execution of
the responsible duties of department com.
mander, exhibited great ability. sound dis
cretion, and sterling patriotism. He has not
failed, under the most trying circumstances,
TO enforce the laws, TO preserve peace and
order, to encourage the restoI alton of civil
authority, and to promote, as far as possible,
q spirit OF reconciliation. His adminlstra-
tion OF the Department of the Cumberland
VIII certainly compare most iavorably with
that of General Sheridan In the Fifth Mill.
tary District. There affairs appear TO be in
a disturbed condition, and bitter spirit of
antagonism seems to have resulted from Gen
eral Sheridan's management. He has rem.
dered 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 not granted by
law nor necessary to its faithful and efficient
: execution. His rule has, in fact, been one of
absolute tyranny, without reference to the
! principles OF our Government, or the nature
OF our free institutions. The state of affairs
which has resulted from the course he has
pursued, has seriously interfered with har-
monious, satisfactory, and speedy execution
OF the acts Of Congress, and is alone sufti-
. cient to justify change. His removal, there
fore, cannot "be regarded as an effort TO de-
feat the laws OF Congress- for the object Is
II to facilitate their execution through an off,
" Ger who has never failed to obey the statutes
A of the land, and to exact, within his iuris-
= diction, like obedience from others. II
a cannot "be interpreted by the unreconstruct.
d ed element in the South-those who did all
# they could to break up this Government by
u | hInlb, anu npM htbn W DG lub Only element
consulted as TO the method of restoring order
, AS triumph for, as sintelligent men, they
q must know that the mere change OF military
4. commanders cannot alter the law, and thai
i. General Thomas will be ns much bound by
!. its requirements as Gen. Sheridan. It can.
" not "einbolden them to renewed opposition
to the will Of the loyal masses, believing that
, they have the Executive with them" for they
= are perfectly is liliar with the antecedenti
u. c of the President, and know that he has mo-
~ obstructed the faithful execution OF any ac
Ill of Congress.
No one, as you are aware, has hiRhel
appreciation than myself of the services o
General Thomas, and no one would be les
9, inclined to assign him to a command not en-
ne lirely to his wishes. Knowing him as do
G. | cannot think that he will hesitate for
OF moment to obey any order having in view
he complete and speedy restoration oi the Uniol
le in the preservation OF which he has rendere.
n, such important and valuable services.
Id General Hancock, known to the who'll
IN country as gallant, able and patriotic sol
dier, will, have no doubt sustain his higI
,el reputation IN any position to which he ma
nm be assigned. If, as you observe, the depari
nd ment which he will have is complicate
nd one, / feel confident that, under the guidanc
Al. and instructions OF General Sherman. Gene
raj Sheridan will soon become familiar wit
its necessities, and will avail himself of III
N. opportunity afforded by the Indian trouble
for the display of the energy, enterprise, an
Mt daring which gave him so enviable a repuli
40. ton during our recent civil struggle.
OF In assuming that it is the expressed wis
of the people that General Sheridan shoul
not be removed from his present comman,
4 you remark that "this is Republic whe
the will OF the people is the law of the land,
,ns and "beg their voice may be heard" Th
/, / is indeed Republic, based, however, upt
ION written Constitution. That Constitute
rn is the combined and expressed will of Il
1lv people, and their voice is law when reflect,
in the manner which that instrument pI
ad scribes. While one OF its provisions max
the President commander-nrchiet OF d
army and navy, another requires that "a
shall take care that the laws be faithful
executed" Believing that change in t
- command of the Fifth Military District
,r11 absolutely necessary for faithful execute
inI of the laws, have issued the order which
~ ~ the subject of this correspondence; and
,es thus exercising power that inheres In /
~, Executive, under the Constitution, as co
~ 'asy, mander in-chiet Of the military and ma,
s"' forces, am discharging duty required
10 me by the Will of the nation, as formally
M clared in the supreme low of the land
bis oath the Executive is sol0mnly bout
,iyo ito the best OF his ability, TO preserve, p
Az tect, and defend the Consttntioni' and,
~ though in times OF great excitement II IN
NJ be lost to public view, it is his duty, withC
,oy regard TO the consequences to himself,
'oN' hold sacred and to enforce any and ali
$, its provisions. Amy other course would le
( to the destruction OF the Republic; for,
) Constitution once abolished, thoFe would
1t of no Cong. ess for the exercise of ieglslRt
powers, no Executive to see that the la
this are faithfully executed, no Judiciary 10
a ford to the citizens protection for life, lin
Inn and property Usurpation would inevilal
The follow, and despotism be fixed upon
,ock people In violation of their combined u
also expressed will
in In conclusion, fail to perceive any I'm
in. tary," "pecuniary," or ''patriotic reasOr
,sed why this order should not be carried ii
sur effect. You will remember that IN the q
ting instance did not consider General Sherid
rs. ; the most suitable officer for the command
|, in the Fifth Military District. This has streng
the ened my convictions upon this point, d
,ifc has led me to the conclusion that patriC
and considerations demand that he should
erye superseded by an officer who, while he v
that faithfully execute the law, will at the sa
his. time give more general satisfaction to
ntry whole people, white and black, North q
nav. South.
is a am, General, very respectfully yours,
the ANDREW JOHNSON
may sen. U. >. Grant, secretary OF war