Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-08-28
THE PRESIDENT TO GENERAL GRANT.
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sGENERAL-I have received your COM
munication of the 18th instant, and thank
you tor the prcmptness with which you
have submitted your views respecting the
assignments directed in my order of that
date.as. ~ asf4T ir-s
'.When I stated, in my official note of
the 1zsh, that T would be pleased to hear
any suggestions. you might deem necessa-
ry upon the subject, It was not my inten-
tioa.to ask from you formal report, but
rather to invite q verbal statement of any
reasons affecting the public interests which
In your opinion would render the order
inexpedient. Inasmuch, however, as you
haye seen fit to communicate them, in
written communication, it is proper that
should make some reply. You earnestly
urge that the order be not insisted on re-
marking that it is unmistakably the ex--
pressed wish of the country that General
Sheridan should not be removed from his
preselt-commaIld.' While am cognizant
of the efforts that have been made o-retaia
General Sheridan in command of the Fifth
Military District, Lam not aware that the
the question has ever been submitted to the
people themselves for determination. 1t
would certainly be unjust to the army to-
assume that, in the opinion of the nation, he
aloneis capable of commanding the States
OF Louisiana and Texas, and that were
he for any cause removed, no other Gene
States would be competent to fill his place.
General Thomas, whom have designated
as his successor, is well known to the coun
try. having won high and HONORABLE dis.
tinctiOn in the field. e 7aiHisnt :, sffa g.
He has, fn the execution Of the respon-
sible duties of q department commander,
exhibited great ability, sound discretion,
under the most trying circumstances, to
enforce the laws, to preserve peace and or
der. to encourage the restoration of civil
authority, and to promote, as far as posi-
BILE, a spirit Of reconciliation. His admin
istration OF the Department of the Cumber
land will lcertainiy compare most favorably
with that of General Sheridan, in the mil
itary district. Those affairs appear to be
disturbed condition, and bitter spir-
It of antagonism seems to have resulted
from General Sheridan's management. He
has rendered himself exceedingly obnox-
ious by the manner in which he has exer-
cised even the powers conferred by Con-
gress, and still more so by a resort to au-
thority not granted by law, nor necessary
to its faithful and effectual execution.
..His rule has, in fact, been one of abso-
1ute tyranny, without reference to the prin-
ciples of our Government, or nature of our
Tree institutions. The state of affairs which
has resulted from the course he has pur-
sued has seriously interfered with harmo-
nious, satisfactory and speedy execution OF
the acts of Congress, and is alone sufficient
to justify change. His removal there
fore, can not be regarded as an effort to de-
feat the laws of Congress, for the object is
to facilitate their execution, through an
officer who has never failed to obey the
law and to exact within his Jurisdiction a
like obedience from others. 1t can not be
interpretated by the iunrecOnstructed ele-
ment of the South, those who did alt they
fnh Ri nm oTlt hxyo q
and now wish to be the only element con-
suited as to the method of restoring order,
as triumph for, as sintelligentmen, they
must know that the mere change of military
commanders can not al5er the law, and
that Gen. Thomas will be as much bound
by its requirements as General Sheridan.
It can not emboiden them TO renewed op-
position to the will of the loyal masses, be-
lieving that they have the executive with
them, for they are perfectly familiar with
theiautecedents of the President and know
that he has not obstructed the faithful ex-
ecution ofany of the laws of CongresA
'Noone. as you are aware, has a higher
appreciation than myself of the services or
General Thomas. No one would be less
nclIiied to assist him to command not
entirely to his wishes. Knowing him as
do, 1cannot think that he will hesitate for
q moment to obey my order, having in
view a complete and speedy restoration of
the Union, in the preservation of which he
has rendered such important service. Gen.
Hancock is known to the whole country as
gallant, able and patriotic soldier, and
will, have no doubt sustain his high rep
utation in any position to which he may
be assigned. you observe, the Depart
mett wtfich he will have is complicated
oneeiq feel confident that under the guild
anceIand instruction. of General Sherman.
General SheridanTwilf soon become famiI-
lar with its necessities, and will avail him