The Portland daily press., 1867-08-27
General U. s. A., and Secretary of War, ad
interim"
*This letter is not published
EXECUTIVE MANSION.

ID w l.. W, aug. IL, 1901. J
GENERAL: have received your commune
cation of the 18th inst, and thank you for the
promptness with which you have submitted
your views respecting the assignments in my
order of that date. When stated in my un-
official note of the 18th that would be pleased
to hear any suggestions you might deem nee
eSsary upon the subject, it was not my inten-
ton to ask from you formal repOr: but rath-
er to invite verbal statement of any reasons
affecting the public interests which in your
opinion would render the order inexpedient
lnaSmuch, however, as you have embodied
your suggestions in written communication,
it is proper that / should make some reply.
You earnestly urge that the order be not in
sisted on, remarking that 1T is Enthusiastically
s g expressed wish Of the country that Gen.
Sheridan should not be removed from his
present command While am cognizant of
the efforts that have been made to retain Gen.
Sheridan in command of the Fifth Military
District, am not aware that the question has
ever been submitted to the people themselves
Tor determination. 1t would certainly be I'M
Just to the army to assume that in the opinion
OF the nation he alone is capable of command
ing the States of Louisiana and Texas, and that
were ne for any cause removed, no other Gen.
erai IN the military service of the United States
would be competent to fill his place. General
Thomas, whom have designated as his sue
cessor, is well known to the country, having
won high and honorable distinction in the
field. d. has since, in the execution of the re-
sponsible duties of department commander,
exhibited great ability, sound discretion and
sterling patriotism. He has not failed under
the most trying circumstances to enforce the
laws, to preserve peace and order, to encour-
age the restoration OF civil authority, and to
promote as far as possible spirit of reconcil-
latlon. His administration of the department
OF the Cumberland will compare most favora-
bly, with that of Gen. Sheridan in the 9TH mil
itary district. There affairs appear to be in a
disturbed condition, and bitter spirit Of an
tagonism seems to have resulted from Gen
Sheridan's management. He has rendered
himself extremely 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 by law, or
necessary to its faithful and efficient execution
His rule has, in fact, been one of absolute tyr
amy, with reference to the principles of our
Government or the nature of our free institu-
lions. The state of affairs which has result
ed from the course he has pursued has serious
ly interfered with harmonious, satisfactory
and speedy execution of the acts of Congress.
and is alone sufficient TO Justify a change. His
removal, therefore, cannot be regarded as an
effort TO defeat the laws of Congress- for the
object is TO facilitate their execution, through
an officer who has never failed TO obey
the statutes of the land, and to exact
within his jurisdiction like allegiance
from others 1t cannot be interpreted
by the unreconstructed 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 as to the
method of restoring order-as a triumph for.
as Intelligent men, they must know that the
mere change of military commanders cannot
alter the law. and that Ger. Thomrs will be as
much bound by its requirements as Gen. Sher-
ldan. 1t cannot embolden them to renewed
opposition to the will of the loyal mass believ-
ing that they have the Executive with them.
for they are perfectly familiar with the ante,
cedents 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 Gen. Thomas-and no one would
be less inclined to assign him to O command
not entirely consonant with his wishes. Know
ing him as do, cannot think that he will
hesitate for moment to obey any orders hav-
ing in view complete and speedy restoration
OF the Union, in the preservation of which he
has rendered such important and valuable SER
vices. Gen. Hancock, known to the whole
country as a gallant, able and patriotic soldier,
will, have no doubt. sustain his high reputa-
ton in any position to which he may be as
signed. Ii, as you observe, the department.
which he will leave is q complicated one 1 feel
confident that under the guidance and instruc-
ton of Gen. Sherman, Gen. Sheridan will soon
become familiar with its necessities, and will
avail himself of the opportunity afforded by
the Indian troubles for the display of the en-
ergy, enterprise and daring which gave him so
enTiable reputation during our recent civil
struggle. In assuming that'it is the expressed
wish of the people that Gen. Sheridan should
not be removed from his present command.
you remark: This is republic where the will
of the people is the law Of the land,' and beg
that their voice may be heard This, indeed.
ls republic, based, however, upon written
Constitution; that Constitution is the com
bined and expressed will of the people, and
their voice is law when reflected in the man
her which that instrument prescribes While
one of its provisions makes the President COM
mander-in-chef of the army and navy, anotb-
er requires he shall take care that the laws
be faithfully executed Believing that
change in the command of the fifth military
district is absolutely necessary for a faithful
execution of the laws, [ have issued the order
which is the subject of this correspondence.
and thus exercising a power that inheres in
the Executive, under the Constitution, as COM
mander-in- chief of the military and naval
forces, am discharging 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 solemnly bound to the best
OF ms abllllty to preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution and, although in times of
great excitement, it may be lost to public
view, 1t is his duty, without regard to
the consequences to himself, to hold sa-
cred. and to enforce any and all of its
provisions. Any other course would lead 10 the
destruction of the Republic, for, the Constitu-
ton once abolished, there would be 10 Congress
for the exercise of Legislative powers no Ex-
ecutive to see that the laws are faithfully exc
cuted, no Judiciary to afford to the citizen pro-
lection for life, limb and property. Usurpation
would inevitably follow, and despotism fixed
upon the people in violation of their combined
ana ex press will. In conclusion, fail to per-
celve any military 'pecuniary,, or patriotic
! why this order should not be carried
INTO enect. You will remember that in the
first instance | did not consider Gen. Sheridan
the most suitable officer for the Command of tbe
9th military district. Time has strengthened
my convictions upon this point, and has led me
to the conclusion that patriotic considerations
demand that he should be superseded by an Of
fiicer who, while he will faithfully execute the
law, will at the same time give more general
satisfaction to the whole people, white and
black, North and South. l-.. .I-'.'. 80
l am, General M