Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-06-27
A-Rn0sANCE:


The President Of the United States is
bv the Constitution the C~ommander-in
Chief of the army and navy Of the
United States. The Secretary of Wal is
his clerk, and the minister of his viii.
The Generals in command Of the South
ern Military Districts are his subaiterns,
as much as a Lieutenant Of q company
is the subaItern OF the Captain.
The Attorney General, called upon by
the President C0mmander-in- Chief for
his opinion i'm respect to the proper con-
structiou Of the Reconstruction acts, and
to the powers vested in the military
commandments Of these districts, by these
acts, declares it to be his 0piRion t1at the
Generals have exercised powers not
granted by them and especially
Instances the exercise Of legislative
powers by General SICKLEs, declaring at
the same time his conviction that ali the
Generals supposed that they bad war
rant and authority Of law for all they
did.
Upon this, and without waiting FOR any
action Of the Commander-in- Chief, Cen
sral SICKLEs tenders his resignation, and
demands a Court Of Inquiry.
A Court Of Inquiry, for what? Cen
eral SIcKLBs is not charged vita any act
whatever, except the exercise Of certain
powers, which all know and be cannot
deny be has exercised with tbeprOmul-
CATION Of certain General Orders, which
be surely does not pretend be cid not is
sue. A Court Of Inquiry is detailed to
inquire into and report as 70 facts. What
facts, disputed or denied, are there, as to
which a Court Of Inquiry could inquire
in SIcKLEs' case? Did be not know
what are the proper functions Of a Court
OF Inquiry Aye, well enough. He has
served long enough to nave learned that.
There are 10 facts TO be inquired Of.
What then did be propose should be done
by the Court demanded Thatit should
assume the funetons Of an Appellate
Court of Law, and reverse the Attorney
Generals opinion, by deciding that
SIcKLEs had the power by law - do AL
that he does not deny be did do? There is
no question as to his acts and orders.
They speak for themselves. The only
question is, whether he bad warrant and
authority Of law to do them. The Court
of Inquiry, If ordered, must then either
do nothing, and its proceedings be a
simple farce, or it must proceed to give
its Interpretation Of the law, ana adjudge
the Attorney Generals opinion 10 be IN
sound in point Of law. Is that among the
functions Of a Court Of Inquiry?
No. SIcKLEs well enough knew that
his demand for a Court Of inquiry was
mere nonsense. Nevertheless, It was
not folly or ignorance that led him to
demand it. It was all calculation, and
his purpose n that does him no credit.
He knew taaf behind the President was
the Radical Congress. He contemptu-
ously appeals from the President to Con
eress. He makes an issue with his SUI
perio, Officer, whom he has reason to
believe be can bully BY insolenee. He
calculated that Congress could be induced
TO meet IN july, and that then it would
make him independent Of his com
mapder, Car and Autocrat indeed, over
the Military District composed Of North
and south Carolina, In bis action there
was neither haste, passion, rashness or a
ana q He thinks tho President
broken down and powerless, and that to
make an issue with him Is 10 make sure
Of snecess and victory. SIcKLEs fol-
lows the formulas Of the service, but the
insolent and in-suboEdinste intention is
manifest enough, for al that His letter
Is 8 virtual defence Of the President, and
an appeal to the malignant RadicaBsm Of
<he press and OF Congress.
SHERIDAN is more openly insolent
&c, writing to Gen. GRANT, "cbaraoter-
5 The Attorney Generals ooinionast the 5
-osd road for perjury aud fraud to travel !
I'D remarks upon the P~residepgs 5
f~atagonisn to the reoonstruetioB
On.
Wet friends o. Generals sHrpn !
sae sKLEs hsge sent them tele- ]
assurance that thew viii 2
resp !
Billiard Tabsbe~ssebaisssS, ! I
OK BILLLARDT ABLEsRoal s,a 2