Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-09-04

General I'll have received YOUR communication
OF the 18th iust and thank you for the prompt
ness with which YOU have submitted your views
respecting the assignments directed in my order
of that date When / stated. IN my unofficial note
of the 18th that would be pleased o hear any
suggestions YOU might deem necessary upon the
subject It. was not my intention 20 ask FROM You
formal report but rather 10 invite verbal state-
mant of any reasons affecting the public interests
which. in your opinion. would ter the order
inexpedieut. lna-much no Tever, As You have
embodied your suggestions in a written cOmmun-
cation, it IS proper that should make some reply
You earnestly urge that the order be not insist
ed on remarking that ''t Is unmist lSa1ly the ex-
pressed wish of the country that Gen. Sheridan
should not beremoved frcmhis present command. 81
While am cognizant of the efforts that have been
made to retain Gen. Sheridan in command OF the
dith military district, | am not aware that the
question has ever been submitted to the people
themselves Tor determination. 1t certainly would
be unjust to the arayto assume that, az the oPin-
ion of the nation, he alone is capable OF command
ing 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
bee competent to I'LL his place. Gen. Thomas,
whom have designated as his successor IS we'll
known to the country. Having won high and
honorable distinctions in the field he has since.
iu the execution of the responsible duties OF de-
partment commander, exhibited great ability,
sound discretion ard sterling patriotism lie has
not failed under the most trying circumstances, TO
enforce the laws. 90 preserve peace and order, TO
encourage the restoration Of civil authority, and
90 promote, far as possible, spirit OF recon
ciliation. His administration of the department
of the Cumberland will certainly compare most
fivorably with that OF Gen. sheridan IN the fifth
military district There, affairs appear TO be ia a
disturbed condition and bitter spirit Of antag-
onism seems to have resulted from Gen Sheridan 5
management lie has rendered himself * eed-
iugb obnoxious by the manner in which he has
exercised even the powers conferred by Congress
and still more so by resort to authority not grant
ed hy law nor necessary to its faithful and ehcient
execution. His rule has, in fact. been one OF ABB
solute TYRANNY without reference to the principles
OF our government and the nature OF our free m
stituious The state OF affairs which has resulted
from the course be has pursued has seriously M
terlered with harmonious, sAtisia tory and speedy
execution Of the acts of Congress, aud is alone
sufficient to justify change. Ills removal. there
fore. cannot be regarded an effort to defeat the
laws OF Congress; for the object is 20 facilitate
their execution through an officer who has never
failed TO obey the statutes of the land, aud to eN-
act within his Jurisdiction, alike obedience from
others II cannot "be interpreted by the unre-
constructed element in the South-those who did
all they could to break up this government by arms
and now wish to be the only element consulted a.
to the method OF restoring orler-ls a triumph /
loft as lultliHtul lutil, AAt1 must hhpM 'iAN 'A'
mere change Of military commanders cannot alter
the law and that Gen. Thomas will be as much
bound 10y its requirements as Gen. Sheridan. Il
caunot "omholdeu them TO renewed opposition e
the will of the loyal masses, believing that they
have the Executive with themn for they are per
fecty familiar with the antecedents OF the Presi'
dent and know that he has not obstructed th'
faithful execution OF any act Of Congress.
No one, as YOU are aware, has higher appreci
alton than myself Of the services OF Gen. Thomas
and no one would be less inclined to assign hin
to a command not entirely to his wishes. Know
ing him as | do, | cannot think that he will hesi
tate for a moment 10 obey any order having IL
view complete and speedy restoration of the Tn
ion, in the preservation Of which he has rendere
such important aud valuable services,
Gen. Hancock. known to the whole country a
a gallant, able aud patriotic soldier, will, | hay
no doubt, sustain his high reputation in any pos
ton to which be may bee assigned II, AS you ot
serve, the department which he will have is con
plicated one, feel confident that, under the guie
ance and instructions Of General Sherman, Gen
Sheridan will soon become familiar with It's nece'
stiles, and will avail himself Of the opportunit
afforded by the Indian troubles for the display
the energy, enterprise and daring which gave hii
enviable reputation during our recent CIV
struggle.
Ia assuming that it is the expressed wish of ii
people that General Sheridan should not be II
moved from his present command, you remark tn
this is a republic where the will OF the people
the law of the land and beg that their Vol,
may be heard This is indeed a republic, base'
however, upon a written constitution. That cor
sttution is the combined and expressed will of Il
people aud their voice is law when reflected
the manner which that instrument prescribes.
, While one of its provisions makes the prcsidei
commander-in-chief of the army and navy, anoth
, requires that he shall take that the laws
faithfully executed Believing that a change
the command OF the fifth military district is abs
lutely necessary for faithful execution OF the law
have issued the order which is the subject OF III
correspondence; and in thus exercising pow
I that inhercs in the Executive under theronstit
ton, as commander-in-ohief OF the military al
naval forces, | am discharging duty required
me by ths will Of the nation as formally declare
4 in the supreme law of 1.-The land. BY bis oath Il
F.. executive is solemply bound "to the best Of
( ability 60 preserve, protect and defend the cons
= tution,n and although ia times OF great exctene
il may be lost TO public view, il is his duty, wit
= out regard to the consequences 70 himself, TO bo
sacred and to enforce any and all Of its provision