The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1867-12-26
Gen, Grants views on the
Presidents. sRalnovals.4

IfoSAQenE,S s. ~ alnoVal6.s* !
The aPrirofs"',letter protesting agaiasf
the Suspension Of Secretary Stanton
Gen. Sheridan Endorsed, and Mars
tiat Lao for Teras Recommended. Z
Privatc.]
| HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE
UNITED STATES,
Washington, D C,Aug. II, 1857. J
TO HIS Ercelseacy, ANDREW JoHNsc N,
President Of the Uaited States
SlR: ] lake the liberty Of address,
ing yen privately an the subject Of
| the conversation which we had this
|morcing, fociing, as | do, the great
danger TO the welfare Of tho country
should you carry out the designs
then expressed:
First: c n the subject Of the dis-
placement ofthe Secretary ct War,
his removal cannot DO effected agaipss
his will without the consent of the
Senate. 1t was but a short time since
the United States Senate was in sess.
ion, and why not then have asked for
his removal lift Was desired? 1t Ger.
tainly was the intention of the legis-
lative branch of the Government to
place Cabinet Minister beyond the
power Of the Executive removal; and
Lit is pretty well understood that, 30
far as Cobinet Ministers are effected
by the terms Of the Office bill. it was
intended specially to protect the
Secretary Of War whom tho country
felt great confidence in. The mean
ing Of the law may be explained away
by an astate lawyer. but common
sense and the views of loyal peopl,
people will give TO it the effect inten-
ded by its trainers. rye | '' ~ 3
Second On the subject Of the re
moval ofthe very able Commander
ofthe Fifth Military District. let me
ask you to consider the effect it would
have upon the public. lie is univcr
sally and deservedly beloved by the
people who sustained this Govern
ment through its trinIs. and feared
by those who would still be enemies
of the Government. 1t fell to the lot
of but few mon to doas much against
an armed enemy az Gen. Sheridan
did during the Rebellion. and it is
within the scope of the abilitp Of but
few in this or any other country to
do what he has. His civil admins
tration has gived equal satisfaction.
He has had difficulties to contend
with which no other District Com
mander has encountered. Almost, if
not onto. from the day he was ap
pointed District Commander to tho
j present time, tho press has given ont
that he was to be removed; that the
Administration was dissatisfied with
him. This has embOldened the oppo-
nents Of the laws Of Congress within
his command to oppose him in every
way in their power, and has renders.
cd necessary measuecs which other.
wise might never have been ncces-
sary. In conclusion, allow me to say
as a friend, desiring peace and quiet.
the welfare of the whole country
North and South, that IL il, in my
opinion, moro than The loyal people
Of this country I mean those. who
supported the Government during
the great Rebellion) will quietly
submit to, to see the very man of all
Others who they have expressed
their confidence in, removed. l would
no: have taken the liberty of address
ing the. Executive of, the. United
States thus, but for the conversation
on the subject alluded to in this let
ter. and from sense Of duty. feeling
that l know | am right in this mat
matter. With great respect. your
obedient servant, US. GRANT, GenI.
Among the papers is letter to
Gen. Grant from Major-Gen Sheri-
dan. dated New Orleans, Jan. 25,
1867, in relation to matters in Texas,
particularly reterringto the condition
of Union men and freedmen in differ
ent parts of tho State. which he says
is truly horrible. He says the Gov
eminent il denounced, freedmen are
shot, ard Union men are prosecuted
if they have the temerity to express
their opinion. This letter Gen. Grant,
under date Headquarters, Army of
the United States, Jan. 20, 1867" in
dorses as follows:
"Respectfally forwarded to the
Secretary of War. Attention is invi-
ted to that portion Of the within COM
mnnication which refers to the con-
diiion Of the Union men and Freed
men in Texas, and to the powerless-
ness Of the military. in the present
state Of affairs, to afford them protec-
ton. Even the moral effect Of the
presence OF troops is passing away,
and few days ago squad ofsoldicrs
on duty was fired on by citizens in
Brownsville. In my opinion the great
number of murders OF Union men and
freedmen, in Texas, not only as rule,
unpublished, but uninyestigated, con-
stitute. practically, a state Of insur-
rection: and, believing it to be tho
province and duty Of every good
Government to afford protection to
the lives, liberty, and prosperity Of
her citizens, / would recommend the
declaration OF martiaI law in Texas,
OBSCURE those. The necessity Of gov
erning any portion Of our territory.
by martial law is to be deplorcd. II
rpsorted to, it should be limited in its
authority, and should ltayc all local
authori les and civil tribunals free
and anobstructed until they prove