Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-07-18
RUTLAND H hRAl.D.
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1867.
GEN. Sheridan.

For the past two weeks, or since the
removal OF the pro-rebel Governor Wells
OF Louisiana by Gen. Sheridan, the mill
tary commsndant OF the State, nearly
every days kilograms from the national
capital has given to the people OF the
nation the intelli gence that the Presi-
dent contemplated the removal of that
official from his position, one which he
holds under law OF Congress provid-
ing for the reconstruction and govern
ment of the States which for four years
wsged war against the general govern.
ment, and for their restoration to their
former prestige In the national family.
These rumors were no doubt well
founded, as we have little doubt that
the Commander.in Chief, even at the
risk of incurring the displeasure Of the
people whom Gen. Sheridan has so well
and faithfully served, would have re-
moved him from office at the time Of
his perpetration of the crane OF remov-
ing Gov. Wells, were it not that a
higher branch OF the government than
the executive was in a short time to
convene to delibe4ale upon what addi.
tional measures were necessary to fur
ther the reconstruction which Gen.
Sheridan was endeavoring to carry out,
and which had the power to replace
him, against the will and over the veto
OF the President, an act which we be-
lieve Congress, representing as it does,
the sentiments Of the people, would have
lost no time in performing, had MIR.
Johnson carried into execution his con-
tempated removal OF the commander of
the department Of the Gulf States.
General Sheridan has long been q
stumbling block in the way OF the ad-
ministration, its anLipathy to him dat
ing back as far as August, 1866 when he
was ordered to investigate the cause of
the New Orleans riots, in which Dostie
and scores Of other Unionists fell victims
to the strocity OF the rebel Mayor Monroe,
Attorney-G General Heron and other spir-
its kindred with this Gov. Wells which
Sheridan has seen fit to remove from
the executive Office Of Louisiana. Those
riots were classed by him as an "indis-
criminste, precOnCerted slaughter" after
he had fully investigated their causes
and origin, and for this classification he
lost caste with the administration,
which has since let no opportunity pass
to thwart his designs and retard his pro-
gress in each and all OF lis undertakings,
even though they were directed to the
extent OF his ability, for the good and
welfare OF the nation.
But Johnson has let pass the golden
opportunity to remove this thorn In his
side from office. Congress has convened, =,
and in the wisdom of its deliberations
has seen 1T to place Gen. Sheridan and
all other cOmmandan's Of military dis
tricts beyond the power of the Presi-
sidents removal, and though he is er
gffcio commander-in chief Of the armies
and navies of the nation his powers are
limited, and, by this last act of Congress,
he can no longer hinder the progress of
the work of reconstruction by inteFf~r,
ence with the officers appointed to the
command of the rebellious States. There
is no doubt that the President will veto
this measure curtailing his powers, but
the Congress that enacted it has the
power to pass it over his veto, and We
rejoice that it is nominally the law of
the land.