Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-12-19
Censorship.
FROM WASHINGTON,
Correspondence on Texas Affairs
between Grant and sheridan Laid

|
before the House-Grant's Views.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1S.-Among the pa
pers laid before the House yesterday is
letter to Gen. Grant, from Major General
Sheridan. dated New Orleans, January %,
1867. in relation to matters in Texas, par
ticularly referring to the condition of
Union men and freedmen in different parts
of the State, which he says is truly horri--
BILE. He says the Government is denounced,
freedmen are shot and Union men are per-
secuted If they have the temerity to ex-
press their opinion.
This letter General Grant, under date of
Headquarters of the Army of the United
States, January 10Th, 1867, indorses as fol-
lows: "R.spectfully forwarded to the Sec
retary OF War. Attention is invited to that
portion OF the communication which re-
fers to the condition OF the Union men and
freedmen in Texas, and to the powerless-
ness of the military in the present state of
affairs to afford them protection Even the
moral effect of the presence of trooEs is
passing away. A few days ago squad of
soldiers on duty were fired on by citizens
in Brownsville. In my opinion, the great
number of murders OF Union men and
freedmen in Texas, not only as rule going
unpunished but uninvestigated, constitute
practically state of insurrection, and be-
lieving it to be the province aud duty of
every good Government to afford protec-
S'on @ W cue iHeS' HoerGy anu properly OF
her citizens, l recommend the declara-
tton of martial law in Texas to
secure these. The necessity for gov
erning any portion of our territory
by martial law is to be deplored.-
If resorted to it should be limited to its
authority, and should leave all local au-
thorities and civil tribunals free and unob-
structed until they prove their inefficioncy
or unwillingness to perform their duties.
Martial law would give security, or COM
paratively so, to all classes of citizens
without regard to race, color or political
opinion. and could be continued until So
ciety was capable of protecting itself, or
until the Stante is returned to its full rela-
tiOn with the Union. The application of
of martial law to one of those States would
be warning to all, and if necessary can
be extended to others. lSignedl
U. S. GRANT, General"
The letters of General Grant were lis
tened to with marked interest and atten-
ton. The members who have been most
emphatic in General Grant as the future
candidate for the Chief Magistracy of the
nation, as this letter to the President is
more open and reliable expression of the
Generals opinion than they have as vet
been able to obtain, appear to think they
have drawn out sufficient light to increase
their Endorsement of him. --e
No action was held by the civil author
l.
Message fro the President.
The President sent the following mes
sage to Congress to-day:
Gentlemen of the Senate and House OF Repre-
SentdtiUes
An official copy of the order issued by
Major General w. S. Hancock, commander
of the fifth military district, dated Head
quarters. New Orleans, on the 10Th day of
November, has reached me through the
regular channels of the War Department,
and herewith communicate it to Congress
for such action as may seem to be proper,
In view OF all the circumstances.
1t will be perceived that Gen. Hancock
announces that he will make the law the
rule of his conduct; that he will uphold
the courts and other civil authorities in the
performance of their proper duties, and
that he will use his military power only to
preserve the peace and enforce the law.
He declares very explicitly that the sacred
rights OF trial by jury and privilege of the
writ of habeas corpus shall not be crushed
out or trodden under foot. He goes further,
and in one comprehensive sentence asserts
that the principles of American liberty are
still! the Inheritance of this people, and ever
shall be.
When great soldier, with unrestricted
power in his hands to oppress his fellow
man, voluntarily forgoes the chance of
gratifying his selfish ambition and devO,es
himself to the duty of building up the lib.
critics and strengthening the laws of his
country, he presents an example of the
highest virtue that human motive is ca
pable of practicirg. The strongest claim
of Washington to be first in war; first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his coun-
trymen, is founded on the great fact that
in all his illusCriouS career he scrupulously
abstained from violating the legal and con-
stitutional rights of his fellow citizens.
Whea he surrendered his commission to
Congress, the President of that body spoke
his highest praise in saying he had always
regarded the rights of the civil authorities
through all dangers and disasters. --1p
Wherever power above the law courted
his acceptance he calmly put temptation
aside. By such magnanimous acts OF for
bearance he was the universal admiration
of mankind, and left name which has no
rival in the history of the world.
am far from saying General Honcock
Is the only officer of the American army
who is influenced by the example of WASH
ington. Doubtless thousands of them are
faithfully devoted to the principles for
which the men of the revolution laid down
their lives, but the distinguished honor be-
longs to him of being the first officer in
high command south of the Potomac, since
the close of the civil war, who has given
utterance to these noble sentiments in the
form OF military order.
L respectfully suggest to Congress some
public recognition of Gen. Hancock's pat
riotic conduct is due, if not to him to the
friends of law and justice throughout the
country. OF such an act as his, at such a
time, it is but fitting that the dignity should
be vindicated anu virtue proclaimed, as its
value as an example may not be lost to the
nation.
[Signed1 ANDREW JOHNSON.
Financial.
The Senate Finance committee, in pre-
senting the funding bill, submitted a re-
port in which they refer to the claim that
the principal OF the $50 bonds are payable
in gold, and say that without deciding the
question they propose a substitution of
new bonds. clear and explicit in their
terms, for the $40 bonds, as they become
redeemable. They further say that if this
exchange is refused by the bondholders it
will be time enough to determine whether,
| by the condition of this bond, he may not
be paid in lawful money.
The Contraction Question.
The Herald's special says: There is a
material difference between the anti-con-
| traction bill of the House aud that report
ed to-day in the Senate. The former stops
all contraction and canceling of notes,
while the latter only applies to the four
millions a month which the Secretary is
authorized by law to contract.
MIR. sherman, in private conversation
to-day, said ne should not call up the anti
contraction bill till the funding bill was
disposed of, and that if the latter was pass
ed there would be no necessity for the
| former.
8. .. Cox for Minister n to Austria
The Times special says: There seems to
be no doubt that S. S. Cox will be nominate
ed for Minister to Austria, and Governor
Ford, of Ohio, for Ecquador.
Disappearance of Col. Parker.
Much excitement was caused last night
in Washington by the disappearance OF
Col! Ely Parker, of Gen. Grants staff, the
moment when every nrpnaratinn WAS madc