Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-08-30

WASHINGTON, ID. g., August 10, 1867.
GENERAL: ! have received your com.
inunioaiion OF tho 18th inst, and thank
you for the promptness with which you
have submitted your views respecting the
assignments directed Ia my order Of that
date. Whom | stated la my Official note
OF the 17th that 1 would DO pleased to
hear any suggestions you might doom
necessary upon tho subject, IL was not my
intention TO ask you fora formal repori, but
rather TO invite u verbal statement Of any
reasons affecting tho public interests which
IN your opinion would repder tho order
inoxpedient lnesmuoh, however, as you
have made a written uDication. IL Is
proper that should make some reply.
You earnestly urge that tho order DO
not insisted on, remarking that ID Is .un'
mlsiakably the expressed wish Of tho
country that General sheridan should not
be removed from bis present command.
While ain coglhEant Of tho efforts that
havo been made to relieve General Sheri.
dan OF the Fifth Military District, ] am
not aware that the question has ever been
unlimited TO the people themselves for
determination, IL would certainly be un.
just To the army 10 assume that in the
opinion OF the nation he nlono is capable
Of commanding the States of Louisiana
aud Texas, aud that were he for any cause
removed, no other General in the military
service OF the United States would be
competent 10 GIL his place General
Thomas, who | have designated as his
successor, is we'll known TO the country,
having won high and honorable disiinc-
ton in the field. Ilo has siuec,in the ex-
ecution OF the responsible duties Of de-
parlment commander, exhibited great
ability, sound discretion aud sterling pa.
tiiolism. lie has not failed under the
most trying circumstances TO enforce the
laws, 10 preserve peace and order, TO en-
courage the RESTORATION OF civil authority,
aud to promote as far as possible split
OF reconciliation. His administration Of
the Department Of the Cumberland will
certainly compare most iayorably with
that Of General Sheridan IN bis Military
district, whose affairs appear to be in
disturbed condition, and bitter spirit Of
antagonium seems TO have resulted from
Gen. Sheridan's management. lie has
rendered himself exceedingly obnoxious
by the manner in which he has exercised
even the power conferred by Congress,
aud still moro so by resort to authority
not granted by law, nor necessary TO the
faithful and efficient execution Of his duty.
Ills ruIo has, in fact, been one Of absolute
tyranny, without reference to the princi
plies 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 interfercd with a
harmonious, satisfactory and speedy exc
cution OF the acts Of Congress, and Is
alone sufficient to justify u change. Ills
removal. therefore, cannot be regarded ns
sn effort TO defeat tho laws OF Congress,
for the object Ii to facilitate their execution
through an officer who has never filled to
obey. the law and to exact within his juris.
diction a like obedience from others
1t cannot be interpreted by the "nnfe.
constructed element OF the South--tbose
who did all they could TO break up this
Government by arms, and now wish to be