The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-06
APresIdentiaI "lmpedIment."
From the Tribune.

From The tribune.
The question of General Sheridan's removal
has been so long in allegiance that we are in
hopes good counsels may be needed at last.
We have no doubt that the President has
sincere desire to remove General Sheridan, but
he is no less sincere in his desire to do hun,
dred things quite as absurd. If his advisers
would recall to his mind the case of Martin
Van Buren, who was rejected in a pique, by
the Senate, as Minister to England, and sub
sequently elected to the Presidency, he might
hesitate longer before he makes "martyr"
of the most popular commander in America.
those of our friends who desire
military man for the Presidency to con-
slider General Sheridan as candidate, that
his removal would only lead to his nomi-
nation by impetuous radical conventions. In
the event of military nomination being ad-
visable, we desire to think we'll of Sheridan,
and we trust, therefore, that the President will
not force upon us prematurely the considera-
ton of his qualifications. We want the
summer and fall for more important work,
and do not care to have nominations discussed
until the States stand side by side in the Elec-
toral College, and the finances are in more
t1ourishing condition. We hope also that, when
that time comes, we may have candidate
from civil life. If the President let's well
enough alone, such a nomination may be
easily made If he removes General Sheridan
upon the grounds indicated by his friends, it
will be menace to the Union party which
that party is not in the mood to overlook. The
removal from New Orleans may be followed by
four years of duty at Washington.
Let us look at this question moment. A
correspondent says the order for General
Sheridan's removal twill assign as a cause for
the step that Sheridan himself is an impedi-
ment in the way of rational and constitutional
reconstruction, and that therefore, he should
be removed in the same way that Sheridan
himselfremoved Governor Wells, ofLousiana u
"The President believes that, though the
recent acts of Congress clothe military com.
manders with absolute power, still these com,
manders should use the utmost discretion and
exercise their powers so as to bear as lightly
as possible upon the people, and so as to give
J satisfaction in their districts. He considers
that Sheridan has not thus acted; that he has
been unwise, arbitrary without cause, and in
many instances despotic in the exercise o
power" This statement may fully represent
the position of the President, but the country
will not so regard it. The country sees in Gene
raj Sheridan a man who has done his duty
and has been patriotic impartial, Jealous. L
is said that he is an ''impediment" TO recon
struction. In what way He finished the worl
of registration more rapidly than any othe
commander. He did it with fairness anC
economy, and would have had it finished ol
the 1st of July but for the Presidents order Il
reopen the books, that Stanbery might find
way for the Rebels to come back and vote
To finish a work quickly is certainly not l.
impede it. How has Sheridan abused hi
powers They were not assumed by him
Congress especially directed the pertormanc
, of certain duties. He was the mere ministe
} of the national willard he obeyed it, just a
l he obeyed it when he sent Early whirlin
: down the valley of the Shenandoah, or shat
$ tered the puissance of Lee at the battle OF Fiv
a Forks. Has he been harsher with the peopl
OF his district than his duty compelled w
thlnk, from all our information, that beyon
the performance of necessarily unpleasant du
Ties, Sheridan has been very kind and cor
slderate even to the Rebel citizens. We haV
= heard OF no act of oppression, of no tyranny
II OF no unnecessary interference with privat
g ana vested rights. We have heard from
dozen Rebel sources that, if the Military bill
to be enforced, the Rebels would as soon hav
& the work done by Sheridan as by any othe
q commander. Therefore, for the President
assume that General Sheridan has been sur
10 wise, arbitrary without cause, and in man
n cases despotc in the exercise.of power" is, "
Of submit, to calumniate great soldier 10 satisi
- petty and spiteful revenge. so rs n.C
The country sees so much that is grand
L the character of Sheridan, that II viii M
d tamely submit to his degradation, Here is