Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-12-27
Grants Protest Against the
Removal OF Stanton and
Il Sheridan.

The Speaker laid before the House. on the
nth, q communication from General Grant
inclosing the correspondence relating to
the removal of Mr. Stanton as Secretary
of War, and also the removal of Generals
Sheridan and Sickles. The following is
the private letter to the President from
General Grant:
[private.J |
HEADQUARTERsARM UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. II, 1867.
To His Excellency, Andrew Johnson,
President of the United States:
SIR: take the liberty Of addressing
you privately on the subject of the con-
versa lion we had this morning, feeling as
III do The great danger to the welfare Of
the country should you carry out the de-
signs then expressed; first, on the sub
ject OF the displacement OF the Secretary
OF War. His removal cannot be effected
against his will without the consent oethe
| Senate. 1t was but short time since that
the United States Senate was in session,
and why not then have asked for his re-
| moval, if IL was decided? 1t certainly was
| the intention Of the legislative branch of
| the Government to place q Cabinet Minis
| ter beyond the power of Executive re-
| moval, and 1t Is pretty well understood
that so far as Cabinet Ministers are af-
1 fected by the Tenure Of Office bill it was
intended especially to protect the Secre-
tary of War, whom the country felt great
| confidence in. The meaning of the law
may be explained away by an astute law
| yer, but common sense and the views of
loyal people will give to it the effect In
tended by its trainers.
Second. On the subject of the removal
Of the very able commander of the Fifth
Military District. Let me ask you to con-
slider the effect it would have upon the
public. He is universally and deservedly
beloved by the people who sustained this
Government throughout It's trials, and
feared by those who would still be enemies
Of the Government. It fell to the lot of
but few men to do as much against an en-.
envy as General Sheridan did during the
rebellion, and it is within the scope of
the ability of but few, In this or any other
country, to do what he has. His civil ad-
ministTation has given equal satisfaction.
He has had difficulties to contend with
which no other District Commander has
encountered. Almost If not quite from
the day he was appointed District Com
mander to the present time, the press has
| given out that he was to be removed, that
| the administration was dissatisfied with
him. This has enboldened the Oppo-
nents Of the laws of Congress within his
command to oppose him in every way in
| their power, and has rendered necessary
measures which otherwise might never
have been necessary.
In conclusion, allow me to say, as a
friend desiring peace and quiet, and the
| welfare Of the whole country North and
South, that 1t Is my opinion that the loyal
4 people of this country-I mean those who
| supported the Government during the
| great rebellion-will not quietly submit to
see ths very man of all others whom they
have expressed their confidence In, re.
moved.
Iwould not have taken the liberty of
| addressing the Executive of the United
| States thus, but for the conversation on the
| subject alluded to in this letter, and from
a sense of duty, feeling that I know am
right In this matter.
| With great respect, your obedisnt ser
want. 44
(signed) U. s. GRANT, General.
| GRANT AND SHERIDAN.
| Among the papers is a letter to General
Grant from Major General Sheridan, dated
New Orleans, January 30, 1867, in relation
to matters in Texas, particularly referring
| W tIl0 COuOiblOn vi tlA6 CuiOu DlSu 6uu
| freedmen In different parts of the State,
which he says Is truly horrible. He says
the Government is denounced, the freedmen
are shot, and Union men prosecuted If
they have the temerity to express their
opinion This letter General Grant, un.
der date of Headquarters Army OF the
United States, January 30, 1857, indorses
as follows:
| Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary
Of War. Attention is invited to that por-
| ton Of the within communication which
refers to the condition of the Union men
and freedmen in Texas, and the powerless-
ness of the military in the present state of
affairs to afford them protection. Even
the moral effect OF the presence of troops
Is passing away, and few days ago asquad
Of soldiers on duty was fired on by citizens
of Brownsville. In my opinion, the great
number of murders of Union men and
freedmen in Texas not only, as rule, are
UNPUBLISHED, but uninvestigated, and con-
stitute practically state of ingurrection !;
and, believing 1t to bs the province and
duty Of every good Government to afford
| protection to the lives, liberty and proper
| ty Of her citizens, / would recommend the
| declaration OF martial law In Texas to
secure these. The necessity for governing
any portion Of our territory by martial law
is to be deplored. If resorted to, it should
be limited In its authority, and should
leave all local authorities and civil tribu-
nails free and unobstructed until they prove
their irefl1ciency or unwillingness to per-
form their duties Martial law would give
security, or comparatively SO, to all classes
of citizens, without regard to their color,
or political opinions, and would be contin-
1 until of
full relation with the Union. The appli-
cation of martial law to one of these
| States would be warning to all, and, if
| necessary, can be extended to others.
(Signed) e.. s. GRANT, General.
No action was had by the civil authori-
! tieS ,1nnr the foregoinO recommendation