Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-09-04
PRECEDENT JOHNSON TO GENERAL GRANT.
Executive MANSION.
Washington. u. O.. August 10. 1867. !


Executive MANSION.
Washington, u. g., August 10. 1867.
GENERAL: have received your communi
cat III of the l7th instant, and thank you tnr
the promp;nrss with which you have submit
tcd your views respecting the assignments dl.
reed in NY order OF that date. When l
stated, in my unofficial Eote OF tie fth, that
would be pleased to hear any suggestions
you might deem necessary upon the subject
il WAS not ny intention 10 ask from you
rmal report, nat rather to invite Vrraa'
statement, of anv rcaSons affecting the public
~; ertsts which, in your opinion. woaid rei
der the ordar imrxpe,ilrnt luasmuch, how
ever, as you hlve emb lied y"Er suggestions
in q wriucn communication, II is proper that
should make Sone reply.
You earnestly urge that The oricr be not
insisted on, rcnl;,kii,g thu; :" il is nnmS'aka-
bv. the expressed wish Of the country that
General Sncri.lln should MT bc removed rom
his present command While am coeni-
z.n, OF the .il1r,s that have been made to re-
tain General Saer;daa III cimmand OF the
fifth military district, am not aware that the
question has ever been submitted 10 the peo-
Die themselves Tor determination. ltcertan'y
would be unjust to the army TO assume that,
IN the opinion of the nation, he alone is capa
BILE of commanding the States of Louisiana
and Texas, and that were he for any cause
removed, no other general In thu military ser
vice OF the United States would ne competent
to Ali hi, place. Genera! Thomas, whom |
have designated as his successor. IS well
known to tho country. Having won high and
honorable distinction in the field, he has
since, in the execution Of the responsible du.
ties of a department commander, exhibited
great ability, sound discretion aud sterling
patriotism. He hns not failed, under the most
irving circumstances, to enforce the laws, TO
preserve neaoa aud order, to encourage the
restoration of civil authority and to promote,
as lar as possible, aspirit of reconciliation.
His administration Of the department OF the
Cumberland will certainly compare most tavo.
rabiy W tn that of General Sheridan in the
fifth military district. There, affairs appear
to be in q disturbed condition, and bitter
spirit Of antagonism seems to have resulted
from General Sherdan's management. lie
has rendered himsef exceedingly obnoxious
by the m inner in which he has exercised
even the powers conferred by Congress, and
still more so by q resort to authority not
granted by law nor necessary to its fsithiui
and efficient execution. His rule has. in Fact,
been one of absolute tyranny, without refer
euce to the principles Of our Government or
the nature of our free institutions The state
of affairs which has resulted from the course
he has pursued has seriously interfered with
a harmonious, satisfactory aud speedy execu-
ton of the acts OF Congress, and is alone sui
ficent to Justify a change. His removal,
therefore, canuot abe regarded as an effort to
defeat tho laws Of Congress" for the object
is to facilitate THAR s4ecution, through an
officer who has never failed to obey the stat
utees of the land, and to exact, within his Ju-
rlsdiction, like obedience from Others. 1t
cannot "bc interpreted by the unrecopstructed
elcmen in the South-those who did all they
could to break up this Government by arms
and now wish to be the only olea,en, SON
suited ss to the method Of restoring order
as triumph y for as intelligent men, they
must know that the mere change OF military
commanders cannot alter the law, and that
General Thomas will hp as much bound by
its requirements aa Gen. Sheridan: It cannot
aeuboiden them torsusneea opposition toths