The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-28
THE SUSPENSION OF STANTON.
The Presidents Message on tho Subject
State Secrets Revealed-A Scorch1ng Re-
view OF the Ex-Seeretary's Course.

state Secrets Revealed-A Searching Re-
view of the Ex-Seeretary's Course.
We have heretofore published, through our
CORRESPONDENCE, tho main points OF the message
transmitted by President Johnson to the Senate
assigning his reasons for suspending Mr.. Stanton
from the War Department. The message has
since beea published in full, and contains state
ments and reasonings the force OF which VIC pro-
pose now to further notice.
The President begins by quoting his letter to
Mr.. Stanton, of August 12, suspending him from
Office, and that to General Grant, directing him to
enter upon the discharge of the duties OF the War
Department, after which DIR. Stanton's reply Is
given, in which he denies the right OF the Presl-
dent, under the constitution and laws of the Unit
ed States, to susp, nd him without the consent OF
the Senate. The President next gives his note to
Mr.. Stanton, of the 9TH August, in which he in
forms him that public considerations of a high
character constrain' him to say that Mr.. Stanton's
resignation of the War Department will be &C
cepted," and Mr.. Stanton's reply, in which that
functionary ~retorts that ''pp bic considerations OF
q high character, which alone have induced me to
continue at the head O.? this department, %constrain
me not to resign the Office Of Secretary of War be-
fore the next meeting of Congress-" The following
calm and cogent commentary by the President
disposes very effactually Of Mr.. Stanton's 'consi-
derations," and places that individual in the unen-
viable light of protesting himself compelled by a
sense of public duty, under the constitution, 'to
assume the vindication of a law which, under the
solemn obligations of public duty, imposed by the
constitution itself, be had advised the President
was q violation OF that constitution" The Presi-
dent says:
"This language is very significant. Mr.. Stanton
holds the position unwi.ingly. He continues in
Office only under q sense of high public duty. He
is ready to leave when it is safe to leave, and as
the danger he apprehends from his removal then
will not exist when Congress IL here, he is con-
strained to remain during the interim. What,
then, is that danger which can only be averted by
the presence OF Mr.. Stanton or of Congress? MIR.
Stanton does not say that public considerations
OF a high character %constrein him to hold on to
the Office indefinitely. BE does not say that no
one other than himself can at any time be found
to take his place al 1 PERRIN its duties. On the
contrary, he expresses a desire to leave the office
at the earliest moment consistent with these high
public considerations He says, IN effect, that
while Congress is away he must remain, but that
when Congress is here he can 20. In other words,
he has lost confidence IN the President. He is un-
willing to leave the War Department in his hands,
or in thu hands If any one the President may
6PROAAA " . W. 49,
resigns the President may appoint a Secretary OF
War that Mr.. Stanton does not approve. Therefore
he will not resign. But when Congress is in ses-
sion the President cannot APPOINT q Secretary OK
Wal which the Senate does not approve. Con-
sequentiy, when Congress mee's, Mr.. Stanton is
ready 10 resign.
"Whatever cogency these considerations may
have hid upon Mr.. Stanton, whatever right he
may have had to entertain such considerations,
whatever p~ropriety here might be in the express
sion Of them to Others, one thing is certain, it was
oficisl misconduct, to say the least of it, to parade
them before his superior officer.
"Upon the receipt OF this extraordinary note, l
only delayed the order of suspension long enough
to make the necess Try arrangements TO fill the
Office. II this we're the only cause for his suspen-
sion, it would be ample. Necessarily it must end
our most important official relations, for I cannot
imagine q degree Of effrontery which would en-
holden the head Of q department to take his seat
Mt the council Ia ole III the executive mansion after
such an act; nor can l imagine a President so for
getful of the proper respect and dignity which be-
long to his Office as to submit TO such intrusion.
I will not do MIR. Stanton the wrong to suppose
that he entertained any idea Of Offering to act as
one OF my constitutional advisers after that note
was written. There was an interval Of a week be-
tween that date and the order of suspension, du-
ring which two cabinet meetings were held, Mr..
Stanton did not present himsel at either, nor was
expected.
suspension, and6n General CIR ut had
Ilthorizedaasi epge OF that keqaS1N