Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-27

lectly familiar with the antecedents Of the
President, and know that he has not OBJ
strneted Congress. No one, as you are
aware, has higher appreciation than my
self Of the services of Gen. Thomas, and no
one would be less Inclined to assist him to
a command not entirely to his wishes.
Knowing him as l do, | cannot think he
will hesitate for a moment to obey my
order having in view a complete and speedy
restoration Of the Union, in the preserya-
ton of which he has rendered such inn
portant and valuable service. Gen. Han
cock. known to the whole country as
gallant, able and patriotic soldier, will,
have no doubt, sustain his high reputation
in any position TO which he may be as
signed. IT, as you observe, the department
which Gen. Sheridan will have is a com
plieated one, feel confident that under the
guidance and instruction of Gen. Sherman,
he will soon become familiar with its me-
cessities, and will avail himself of the
opportunity afforded by the recent
Indian troubles for the display of the
energy, enterprise and daring which gave
him 80 enyiable reputation during the
recent civil struggle in assuming, that il 10
the expressed wish of the people that
Gen. Sheridan should not be removed
from his present command. You remark
that this is a republic based, however, up
on a written constitution. That constitution
is the combined and expressed will of the
people, and their voice is law when re-
fected in the manner which that instru-
ment prescribes, while one of its provi-
sions make the President COMMANDMENT
chief of the army and navy; another re-
auires that he shall take care,
that the laS shall be faithfully executed,
and believing that A change in the COM
mand of the fifth military district is
necessary for faithful execution of law,
| have issued the order which Is the snb-
ject of this correspondence. In exercising
power that inheres in the Executive, I'M
der the constitution as the commander-in-
chief of the army and navy, l am dis
charging duty required of me by the will
of the nation, as formally declared in the
supreme law Of the land. By his oath the
Executive is solemDly bound, to the best
of his ability, to preserve, protect, and de-
fend the constitution, and although in time
of great excitement, ] be lost to public
view, it is his duty, without regard to
consequences to himself, TO hold sacred
and force any and all of its provi-
sions, or any course which would lead to
the destruction of the republic, for the con-
stitution once abolished, there would be no
Congress for the exercise of legislative
powers, no executive to see that the laws
are faithfully executed, no Judiciary to af-
ford to the citizens protection for lifeS limb
and property, and usurpation would inevita-
bly, follow, and despOtism be fixed on the
people in violation .of their combined and
expressed will. In conclusion, l fail TO
perceive any military, pecuniary or patri-
otto reasons Why this order should not be
carried into effect. You will remember
that in the first instance did not consider
Gen. Sheridan the most suitable person for
the command of the fifth military dis
trict. Time has strengthened my conclu-
sions upon this point.