New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1867-08-27
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. G. }
August 49, 1867. J

| GENERAI.-I have received your communi-
| cation Of the 18th instant, and thank you
for the promptness with which you have
| submitted your views respecting the assign
ments directed in my order of that date.
| When | stated in my unofficial communica-
ton of the 18th, that would be pleased to
hear any suggestions you might deem ne
cessary upon the subject, 1t was not my
intention to ask from you formal report,
| but rather to invite a verbal statement OF
any reasons affecting the public interests,
which in your opinion would render the
| order inexpedient. Inasmuch, however, as
you have embodied your suggestions in
written communication, it is proper that 1
should make some reply. You earnestly
urge that the order be not insisted on, re-
marking that it is Enthusiastically the ex-
pressed wish of the country that General
Sheridan should not be removed from his
| present command.
While l am cognizant of the efforts that
have been made to retain General Sheridan
| in command of the fifth military district,
am not aware that the question has even
/ been submitted to the people themselves for
: determination. II certainly would be un-
I lust to the army to assume that in the oUin-
ion of the nation he alone is capable OF COM
: | manding the states of Louisiana and Texas;
: and that were he for any cause remoT Nd,
no other general in the military ser
| vice of the United States would be
= | competent to fill his place. General Thomas,
is an officer who has never failed to
obey the statutes of the land, and to exact
| within his jurisdiction a like obedience
} from others, and cannot be interpreted by
| the eunreconstruction element in the south,
those who did all they could to break up
| this government by arms, and now wish to
: | be the only element consulted as to the
| method of restoring order, as triumph,
| for as intelligent men, they must know that
b. the mere change of military commanders
cannot alter the law, and that Gen. Thomas
will be as much bound by its requirements
as General Sheridan. 1t cannot embolden
them to renewed opposition to the will of
| the loyal masses, believing that they have
the executive with them for they are per-
fectly familiar with the anteeedents of the
president, and know that he has not OBJ
n structed the faithful execution of any act of
congress.
No one, as you are aware. has higher
n ! appreciation than myself of the services of
u General Thomas, and no one would be less
inclined 10 assign him to command not
entirely 10 his wishes.
Z. knowing him as well as | do, l cannot
think that he will hesitate for moment to
obey anv order having in view complete
and speedy restoration of the Union, in the
p. preservation of which he has'rendered such
~ important and valuable services.
u General Hancock, known to the whole
- country as gallant, able, and patriotic sol
11s der, will, have no doubt, sustain his high
u reputation in any position to which he may
- be assigned. If, as you observe, the
= department which he will have is a
a complicated one, | feel confident that
D., Vnder the guidance and instruction OF
:. General Sherman, General Sheridan will
Y soon become familiar with its necessities,
~ and will avail himself of the opportunity
a afforded by the Indian troubles, for the dis
No play of the energy, enterprise and daring
=, which gave him so enviable reputation
; during our recent civil struggle.
You remark that this is a republic
where the will of the people is the law OF
ms the land" and beg THAT their voice may
be heard.n This is, indeed, republic
ms based, however, upon a written eonstltu,
49, ton That constitution is the combined
and expressed will of the people, and their
yosce is law when reflected in the manner
m. which that instrument prescribes. While
:. one of its provisions makes the president
- commander-in chief of the army and navy,
50 another requires that he shall take care
that the laws be faithfully executed.
Believing that a change in the command
of the fifth military district is absolutely
necessary for a faithful execution of the
1e laws, have issued the order which is the
is subject of this correspondence, and in thus
al exercising power that inheres in the ex-
hi ecutive under the constitution as COM
le mauderin-chief of the military and naval
n forces, / am discharging duty required OF
d, me by the will of the nation as formally
se declared in the supreme law of the land.
n By his oath the executive is bound to the
Cd best of his ability, to preserve, protect, ana
,e. defend the constitution; 'and although in
q times of great excitement it may be best to
~. public view, 1t ishis duty, without regard
TO the consequences TO himself to hold
in. sacred, and to inforce any and all of its pro
ha | visions. Any other course would lead To
va va the destruction OF the Republic, for the con
,ai | stitution once abolished, there would be nc
,ra congress for the exercise Of legislative pow
10 err no executive to see that the laws are faith
"a fully executed, no judiciary to afford to the
"a citizen protection for life limb, and prop
an erty. Usurpation would invariably follow