The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-09
Pres,dentJohnson and Secretary stantO.

PresidentJo ohnson and Secretary Stanton
From the World
There have been several versions of the curt
correspondence between the President and the
Secretary of War. Judging by internal evi-
denoe, we presume the one we here insert is
genuine. Omitting address and signature, Mr..
Johnson's note, dated August 5, was in these
words:--
Considerations OF public interest will per-
suade me to accept your resignation, II ten
Mr.. Stanton address and signature again
omitted) replied, August 6, as follows:-
considerations of public interest have pre-
vailed with me to hold this Office for months
past, and considerations of public interest will
OF Congress-"
The reply is a defiance. Mr.. Stanton not
merely refuses to resign by informing the
President that he shall hold his Office until
Congress meets, he virtually asserts that the
President cannot in the meanwhile remove
him. He intends to intimate that when Con-
gress assemblies the President may try his
chances of getting the Senate to consent to
his removal
If we were satisfied that the President is in
earnest, we should have no difficulty in con-
jecturing what further steps he will take to
vindicate his dignity. But it looks too much
as if this fracas with Stanton were make
shift to divert public attention while the Presi-
dent backed out of his threat to remove Gene
raj Sheridan. We regard that change of pur-
pose as wise and commendable. The course
General Sheridan has pursued since the threat
was made public, shows that he desires and
courts removal as putting him in the fore
most rank as radical candidate for President.
Instead of degradation and punishment, it
would be a coveted step to promotion, and
President Johnson would realize the truth of
Poor Richards not over-cleanly proverb, che
that spits against the wind spits in his own
face" We did not believe the President would
remove Sheridan when the announcement was
so positively made, and said so rather bluntly
at the time. He has never yet removed any
body whom it concerned the dignity and sue
cess of his administration that he should put
out; and it Is rather late to begin when Con-
gress has in most respects tied his hands, and
his political fortunes are past redemption.
His spasmodic outbursts, unsupported by
action, betoken weakness. He ought to have
removed Stanton more than year ago, with
the same resolute decision a military COM
mander would use against spy and traitor
serving on his staff and having access to his
secrets.
We do not complain that President Johnson
inclines to retreat from his threat to remove
Sheridan; and II he would pitch out Stanton,
neck and heels, it would be most grateful
and acceptable substitute. But il he intends
to go no further than his request of a resigna-
tiOn from man whom he might have known
would never resign by request, the thing is
altogether too farcical for so serious a bust
ness. 1t is like putting kindled match to
ton of wet tow. 1t raises a binding smoke to
cover naked retreat from hasty purpose.
1t looks as if the President, shaken by the re-
monstrances and opportunities of General
Grant and others against the removal of Sheri-
dan, suddenly bethought him of the unpopu-
larity OF Stanton as affording new and safe
vent for his wrath. But if it all exhales in
mere request, and produces no further effect,
his dignity would have suffered less by keep
ing his anger pent up. 1t may be asked,
'What further can he do 20 That is ques-
tiOn it behooved him to consider before he took
the first step. His insight into character should
have taught him that Stanton would not COM
ply; and If he did not wish to stand before the
country as a President baffled and defed by
contumacious subordinate, he should have had
some ulterior resort, or else, as man OF pru-
dence, have refrained from undertaking what
he could not accomplish. vl4 L4
1t requires no sagacity to discern what
further steps the President might take; cou-
rage is all that is lacking The language Of
the law furnishes plausible, and we think
solid, grounds for thinking the President has
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