The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-28

While am coguizant of the efforts that
have been made to retain General Sheil-
dan in command Of the Fifth Military DIS
trict, am not aware that the question mas
ever been submitted to the people them
selves for determination. 1t certainly
wouId be unjust to the army to assume
that. in the opinion Of the nation, he alone
ia capable of commanding the States Of
Louisiana and Texas, and that were he for
any cause removed, no other General in
the military service Of the United States
would be competent to fill his place.
General Thomas, whom have designated
as his successor, is we'll known to the
country. Having won high and honorable
distinction in the field, he has since, in the
execution of the responsible duties of a de-
partment commander, exhibited great abil-
ity, sound discretion, and sterling patriot
ism. He has not failed, under the most try
ing circumstances, to enforce the laws, to
preserve peace and order, to encourage the
restoration of civil authority, and to pro-
mote as far as possible a spirit Of recon-
Citation. His administration Of the De-
partment of the Cumberland will certainly
compare most favorably with that of Gene
raj Sheridan in the Fifth Military District.
There affairs appear to be in disturbed
condition, and bitter spirit of antagonism
seems to have resulted from General She
ridan's management. He has rendered
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
bv law nor necessary to its faithful and
efficient execution. His rule has, IN TACT,
been one of absolute tyranny, without re-
ference to the principles of our Govern
ment or the nature of our free institutions.
The state Of affairs which has resulted
from the course he has pursued has serl-
ously interfered with harmonious, salts
factory, and speedy execution OF the acts
of Congress, and is alone sufficient TO JUS
tify change. His removal, therefore, can
not 8" be regarded as an effort to defeat the
laws of Congress-; for the Objects to facili-
tate their execution through an officer
who has never failed to obey the statutes
of the land, and to exact within his juris-
diction like obedience from others. 1t
cannot be "interpreted by the unrecon-
structed element in the South-those who
did all they could to break up this Govern
ment by arms, and now wish to be the only
element consulted as to the method of re-
storing order-as triumph y; for, as IN
telligent men, they must know that the
mere change of military commanders can
not alter the law, and that General Thomas
will be as much bound by its requirements
as General Sheridan. 1t cannot "embold-
en- them to renewed opposition to the will
of the loyal masses, believing that they
H. yusf fhpV
are perfectly familiar with the antece-
dents Of the President, and know that he
has not INSTRUCTED the faithful execution
of any act of Congress.
| No one, as you are aware, has higher
appreciation than myself of the services
OF General Thomas, and no one would be
less inclined to assign him to command
not entirely to his wishes. Knowing him
as do, cannot think that he will hesi-
tate for a moment to obey any order having
in view complete and speedy restoration
of the Union, in the preservation of which
he has rendered such important and valua-
bic services.
General Hancock, known to the whole
country as a gallant, able, and patriotic
soldier, will, have no doubt, sustain his
high reputation in any position to which
be may be assigned. If, as you observe,
the department which he will have is
complicated one, feel confident that, I'M
der the guidance and instructions of &C.
neral Sherman, General Sheridan will soon
become familiar with its necessities, and
will avail himself of the opportunity al
forded by the Indian troubles for the dis
play of the energy, enterprise, and daring
which gave him SO enviable reputation
during our recent civil struggle.
In assuming that it is the expressed
wish of the people that General Sheridan
should not be removed from his present
command, you remark that "this is a
Republic where the will Of the people is
the law of the land" and "beg that their
voices may be heard" This is indeed a
Republic, based, however, upon a written
Constitution. That Constitution is the
combined and expressed will of the people,
and their voice is law when reflected in
the manner which that instrument pre-
scribcs. While one of its provisions makes
the President mmander-in-chief of the
army and navy, another requires that
che shall take care that the laws be faith
fully executed" Believing that change
in the command of the Fifth Military Dis
trict is absolutely necessary for faithful
execution Of the laws, have issued
the order which is the subject of this
correspondence; and in thus exer-
cising power that inheres in the Execu-
tive, underline Constitution, as commander
in-chief of the military and naval forces,
I am discharging duty required of me
by the will Of the nation, as formally de-
clared in the supreme law OF the land.
By his oath the Executive is solemnly
bound, "to the best of his ability, to pre-
serve, protect, and defend the Constitu-
tion y; and although in times of great ex-
element it may be lost to public view, it
is his duty, without regard to the conse-
quences to himself, to hold sacred and to
enforce any and all of its provisions. Any
other course would lead to the destruction
of the Republic; for, the Constitution
once abolished, there would be no Con-
gress for the exercise of legislative pow
ers, no Executive to see that the laws are
faithfully executed, no judiciary to afford
to the citizen protection for life, limb, and
property. Usurpation would inevitably
follow, and despotism be fixed upon the
people in violation Of their combined and
expressed will.
In conclusion, I fail to perceive any
"military," "pecuniary," or "patriotic
reasons" why this order should not be
carried into effect. You will remember
that in the first instance did not consider
General Sheridan the most suitable officer
for the command of the Fifth Military Dis
trict. Time has strengthened my convic-
tions upon this point, and has led me to
Io Il &lok ~,