Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1867-09-04
NUMBER AZ
.-. "ExEcgTIvE MANSION,
Washington, d. c., Aug. 10, 1867.

Washington, D. c., Aug. 10, ls67.}
GENERAL; have received your commu
nication Of the 18th inst, and thaLk you
for the promptness with which you have
submitted your views respecting tbe aa
signments directed in my order of that
date. When l stated in my uncfieisl
note of the 17th that would be pleased
to hear any suggestion you might dtcih
necessary upon the subject, it was not my
intention to ask from you formal report.
but rather to invite 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 should make some reply. You ear
nestly urge that the order be not insisted
on, remarki1g that "it is unmistukabfy
the expressed wish Of the country that
Gen. Sheridan should not be removed
from his present command" While l.
am cognizant of the efforts that have been
made to retain Gen Sheridan in command
Of the Fifth Military District, l am an not not
aware that the question has ever been
submitted to the people themselves TOR
determination. 1t certainly would be
unjust to the army to assume that in the
opin ion Of the nation he alono is capable
of commanding the States Of Louisiana
and Texas, and that we're he for any cause
removed, no other General in the military
service Of the United States would BE-
competent to ell bis place Gen, 'rhom-
as, whom have designated as his sue
cessor, is we'll known to the country, hav-
ing won high and honorable distinction
in the field. He has since, in the execu-
tion of the responsible duties Of a depart.
ment commander, exhibited great ability,
sound discretion and sterling patriotism,
He has not failed under the most trying
circumstances to enforce the laws, to pre-
serve peace and order, to. encourage the
restoration Of civil authority. and to pro-
mote as far as possible spirit Of recon
cileationr. His administrator Of tbe do
partment Of the Cumberland will certainly
compare most favorably with that Of Gen.
Sheridan in the 9th military District.
There affairs appear to be in disturbed
condition, and bitter spirit Of antagonism
seems to have resulted from Gen. sheri-
dams management. He has rendered
himself exceedingly obnoxious BY the
manner in which he, has exercised ovep
the powers conferred by Congress, and
still more SO by resort to authority not
granted by law, or necessary, to its faith
/ full and efficient execution. His rule has.
lin fact, been one Of absolute tyranny.
with reference to tho principles Of our
Government and the nature Of our free
institutions. The state Of affairs which
has resulted from the course he has pur-
|, sued has seriously interfered with har-
monious, satisfactory and speedy execu-
tion Of the acts Of Congress, and is alone
sufficient to justify change. His reno
val, therefore, cannot "bc regarded as an
effort to defeat the laws Of Congress-" for.
the object is to facilita to their execution.
through an officer who has never failed to
obey the statutes of the land, and to
exact within his jurisdiction like
allegiance from others. II cannot Be n.
terpreted by the unreconstructed element
in the South-thoso who did all they
could to break up this Government by
arms, and now wish to be the only ele-
ment consulted as to the method Of restor-
ing order-as triumph, for as intelligent
men, they must know that the mere
change Of military commanders cannot a
} ter the law. and that General Thomas will
be as much bound BY its requirements as
General Sheridan. 1t cannot embslden
them to renewed opposition to tho will Of
the loyal mass, believing that they have
the executive with them for they arp
perfectly familiar with the anteoedents Ok
! the President, and know that he has noe
2 obstructcd the faithful execution Of any
: act Of Congress. No one, as you arc
aware. has o higher appreciation than
: myself of the services Of Gen. Thomas
0 and no one would Be less inclined to as
: sign him to command not entirely conso-
, nant with his wishes Knowing him as
: | do, I cannot think that he will hesitate
for moment to obey any orders having
d in Wow complete and speedy restoration
: Of the Union, in the preservation Of which
0 he has rendered such important and val
: liable services. Gen. Hancock, known TO
! the whole country as agallant. able and
patriotic soldier, will. I have no doubt.
= sustain his high reputation in any position
to which he may bo ssigned. II, as you
observe tho denartment which he win