The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-12-20

| the conversation we had this morn
ing. feeling, as / do, the general dan
ger to the welfare of the country
| should you carry out the designs thea
/ expressed.
First-On the subject of the dis
placement of the Secretary Of War.
His removal cannot be affected against
his will, without the consent of the
| Senate. 1t was but a short time since
| the United States Senate was in ses-
sion, and why. not then have asked
for his removal, if it was decided? {?
1t certainly was the intention OF the
Legislative branch Of the Government
to place Cabinet Ministers beyond
the power of Executive removal, aRd
it is pretty well understood so far as
Cabinet members are affected by the
Tenure of Office Bill that it was in
tended to protect the Secretary Of
War, whom the country felt great
confidence in. The meaning of the
law may be explained away by an as
tute lawyer, but common sense and
the views Of the loyal people will give
to it the effect intended by its framer.
Second-On the subject of the re-
m9val of the very able commander of
the Fifth Military District, let me ask
you to consider the effect it would
have upon the public. He is
universally and deservedly beloved
by the people who sustained this Gov
ernment throughout its 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 the enemy 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 admin
istration has given equal satisfaction.
He has had difficulties to contend
with which no other District Com
mander has encountered. Almost,
if not quite, from the day he
was appointed District Comman-
der, to the present time, the
press has given out that he was to
be removed; that the Administration
was dissatisfied with him. This has
emboldened the opponents 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 it is, in my
opinion, more than the loyal people
of this country 0 mean those who
supported the Government during the
great rebellion,) Will quietly submit
to, to see the very man, of all others,
whom they have expressed their con-
fidence in, removed.
| would not have taken the liberty
to address the Executive of the
United States thus, but for the con-
versation on the subject alluded to
in this letter, and from sense of
duty. feeling that | know | am right
in this matter.
With great respect, your OBJ t serv't.
Signed u. :. GRANT, General
Among the papers is a letter to
Gen. Grant from Mai. Gen. Sheridan,
dated New Orleans, January %, 1867, |
in relation to matters in Texas, par
ticularly referring to the condition of
Union men and freedmen in the diff
fereRt parts of the State, which he
says is horrible. He says the Gov
ernmeut is denounced, freedmen shot,
and Union mon prosecuted If they
have the temerity to express their
opinion.
On his letter, General Grant, under
date Headquarters Armies of the
United States, January 29th, 1867, +"
indorses as follows: Respectfully |
forwarded to the Secretary of War, |
and 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 to the powerlessness of the mill
tary ia the present state of affairs to !
afford them protection. Even the /
moral effect of the presence of troops |
is passing away, and a few days /
ago, squad, Of soldiers on /
duty, was fired into by citizers
IN Brownsville. In my opinion the .
great number of murders Of Union /
men and freedmen In Texas, not only I
as a rule UNPUBLISHED, but uninvesti-
gated, constitute practically state of .
instruction, and believing it to be I
the province and duty of every good I.
Government to afford protection to .
the lives, liberty and property 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, and if resorted
to should be limited in its authority;
should leave ali local authorities and
civil tribunals free and unobstfucted
until they prove their inefficiency or
unwillingness to perform their duties.
Martial law would give security, or
comparatively so, to all classes of cit
;unnr rrithnnt rnrnrd To racn cnlnr |