North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-09-11
Joh0son's Flank Movement.
The reason why Andrew johnson select

The reason why Andrew johnson select
ed General Grant for Secretary of War ad
interim are beginning to appear.
Stanton, in the war Office, was purely
civil officer. He was not subject to the
presidents orders, issued in his capacity
of cOmmander-in-chief. 1t was his duty.
it is true, to promulgate all such orders,
as the presidents clerk but he might re-
fuse to do it, and lay himself liable to no
greater punishment than dismissal from
Office. BY the tenure-of.of6ce bill, radical
ism undertook to take away from the pres
ident his power Of dismissal, and Stanton
rejoiced in the belief that his friends in
Congress had rendered his situation in the
war Office secure from presidential inter-
ference. He waxed contumacious, inso.f
lent and saucy. He looked upon himself
as independent of his employer. He be-
came inspired with the foolish idea which
sometimes afflicts journeymen in other
branches of business, viz. that they, the
journeymen are the bosses and that the
employer ought only to hold his tongue
and keep out of the way. He. bamboozel-,
ed himself into the belief that he, tho,
creature of the president, owned the Uni-f
ted States government, and that the agent
or overseer chosen by the people to exc,
cute their government had no business to-
interfere with him. He accordingly de-
clined to obey the overseer's orders, and
confidently expected that congress woaldo
sustain him in his refractory conduct
against any attempt the peoples overseer)
might make to discharge him.
In dismissing Stanton, therefore, the
president had to provide against the pro-
liability of his reinstatement by congress.
He could kick out Stanton but the dan
ger was that the senate would kick out
his successor. A man must be found whom
the senate would not kick out. Grant was
the only available man. Congress, which
had showered so many favors on hin, m,--ths
Jacobin leaders, who were looking to him
as an available candidate for the presiden-
cy---would hardly dare to insult Grant, and
through him every man who fought to save
the government, by kiching him out of the
war Office. This is one reason why A. j..
assigned U. S, G. to the post of "Secreta-
ry of war ad interim. 9s
Mr.. johnson well knew that Grant wo'd
oppose the removal of Sheridan. Grant,
told him so in letter marked 'private. -
But Mr.. johnson also knew that Grant, as
a subordinate military officer, must obey
the military orders of his commander-in-
chief. He could not, as Stanton had done;s
put those orders in his pocket and refuse
to obey them nor could he, without sub
jecting himself to the liability of arrest
and punishment for insubordination, inter-
fere, as Stanton had done, to prevent tho
execution of the orders of the constitution
al commander-in-chief. lie might protest.
His protests might furnish to his Jacobin
friends some capital with which to strength.
en- his chances for the presidential nomin-.
alton but they could not prevent the exc
cution of the orders of his superior officer.
This is another reason why A. j. selected
U. S. G. for the post Of secretary Of war
ad Interim"
The advantages that accrue to A. ]. By
having U. s. G, in the Office Of secretary
of war ad interin,' are already obvious.
He has checkmated congress in the matter
of reinstating Stanton. lie has checkmat-
ed Jacobinism in the design to ignore and
defy the constitutional executive in the ex-
ecution of the military reconstruction acts.
He has executed strategic Aank-movs-
ment on radicalism that even Grant must
admire. If he should prosecute the move
ment to the point at which he seems to be.
aiming, with the degree of success that has
already attended his efforts, he will elicit
more admiration from people generally
than he has yet received. All that he
needs to do IL to keep Grant in tho Office
of g secretary of war ad intcrim," give
him his orders, and, as the moral and reli-
gious Ben. Wade would say, let him "pro-
test and be d-d Chicago Times.