Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-08-26

No one. as you ar sw are has q abr appre-
citation than my eelf OF LAT service OF Ct ,u-ral
Thomas, e.. and no one would oe ,ss' inclined 70
wishes. Knowing him as i do, 1 Gao.
It think be will hesitate for . mo-
mert to obey any ornar hAviAg In view
a cumpleie and speedy restoration Of the Un,ou
In the preservation OF which hs has rendered
such important and valuable ser vices. Cen
eral Hancock, known 20 the whole coa utry as
a gallant. able, aud patriotIc soldier viii
have no doubt. sust an is higl reput atom in
any position to which he may b. assignee
II As on abserve. the Departme 1t which q y will
have l. a complicated one fesl confident tnat
under the guidance and instructions of j RET
al Sherman General Sherid "A Will soon b.
come familiar with its ne &c sltles, and will
svali himself OF the eppvr unity afforded by
enterprise and daring which gave MIN so
snviable reputauoa during our civil struggle
m Assuming thai Il is the expressed wish Of
the people that General Sheridan should not
be removed from his present command; you
remark that "this is a Republic " here the will
OF the people is the law OF the land" land
then that their voice may be heard This is
Indeed Republic, based, however upoa q
written Constitution. That Con st,tution is the
combined and expressed Will of the people,
and their voice is law when reflected in
the manner which that instru nent
prescribes. While one of its provisions makes
the Presicent Commander in chief of the Army
and Navy, another requires /" he nall take
care that the law is aithfuIly executed" Be-
the Fifth district Is absolutely necessary
fer faithful execution CT the laws"
have issued toe order which is the subject
OF this correspondence, and In thus exercising
power that 10 heres in the Executive under
the Constitution, as Commander In Chief OF
The military and naval forces, l am dis.
charging duty required of me by
the will of the nation as formally declared
in the supreme law of the land. BY his oath.
The Executive is solemDly bound to the best OF
his ability, 10 preserve. protect, and defend the
Constitution. Although in times OF great ex.
element 1t may be lost to public vie VS. IL is hts
duty, without regard to the conse.
Quence to himself to hold sacred
and to enforce any and all of its provisions
ANY other course'would lead to the destruction
OF the Republic, for the Constitution one abol-
ished. there would be no Congress for the exer.
else of legislative powers, no Executive to
see that the laws are faithfully executed,
no judiciary to afford to the citizen protection
OF life, limb or property. Usurpaton would
,anda dt spotism be dxed upon
the people, in violation Of their com bned aud
expressed Will. In conclusion, fail
to perceive "sny military, any pecuniary, or
not be carried into effect. You will remember,
In the first instance, L did not consider
General Sheridan the most suitable Off.
Ger for the command of the Fifth Military
District. Time has strengthened my con vic
tons upon this point, and has led me to the
conclusion that patriotic considerations de-
mands that he should he superseded by an off
Ger who, while he faith FULLY execute the law,
at the same time give more general salts faction
South.
am, General, very respectfully yours,
ANDREW JOHNSON
Gen. u. :. Grant, Secy of War ad interim