Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-08-29

WASHINGTON, August 27.-The FOL
lowing is the reply OF President John
son 10 Gen. Grants note, protesting
egainst the displacement of Sheridan
and others; ilse lstlI
r...- EXECUTIVE MANSION, I
WASHINGTON, d. C., August ls, 1857 !
General: 1 have received your com
munication OF the 18th inst, and thanh
you for the promptness with which yoI
have submitted your views respecting
the assignments directed in my order o
that date. When l stated In my Ofiicia
note of the 18th that l would be pleased
TO hear any suggestions you might deem
necessary upon the subject, II was moi
my intention to ask from you q formal
report, but rather to invite a verbal
statement Of any reasons affecting the
public interest, which, IN your opinion
would render the order ineXpedlent, In
asmuch, however, rs you have written
communication, it is proper that
should make some reply.
You earnestly urge that the order be
not insisted on, remarking that it is un-
mistakably the expressed will OF the
country that Gen. Sheridan should mol
be removed from his present command.
While am eognizant OF the efforts that
have been made to retain Gen. Sheridan
in command of the fifth military district,
l am not aware that the question has
ever been submitted to the people them
selves for determination. It certainly
would be unjust TO the army to assume
that, in the opinion of the nation, be
alone is capable of commanding the
states of Louisiana and Texas, and were
he for any cause removed, no other gen
eral in the military service of the United
States would be competent to fill his
place. Gen. Thomas, whom have de-
signated as his successor, is well known
TO the country, having won high and
honorable distinction in the field. He
has since, in the execution Of the re-
spOnsible duties of department COM
mander, exhibited great ability, sound
discretion and sterling patriotism. He
has not failed, under trying circumstan-
ces, to enforce the laws, to preserve peace
and order, to encourage the restoration
Of civil authority, ard to promote as far
as possible spirit of reconciliation. His
administration of the department of the
! Cumberland will certainly compare most
/ favorably with that of Gen. Sheridan in
I the fifth military district. The affairs
! appear TO be in a disturbed condition and
/ a bitter spirit of antsgOnism seems to
have resulted from Gen. Sheridan's
/ management. He has rendered himself
J exceedingly obnoxious by the manner
/ in which he has expressed even the pow-
/ ers conferred apon him by congress, and
still more so by a resort TO authority not
granted by law nor necessary to it's
/ faithful and efficient execution. His rule
/ has in fact been one OF absolute tyranny,
| without reference to the principles of our
/ government or the nature of our free in
stitutions
/ The state of affairs which has resulted
[ from the course he has pursued has
! seriously interfered with harmonious
I and satisfactory and speedy execution OF
| the acts of congress, and is alone sufficient
/ to justify change. His removal, there
/ fore, ,'cannot be regarded as an effort to
defeat the laws of congress, for the object
I is to facilitate their execution through an
officer who has never failed to obey the
law, and to exact within his Jurisdiction
q like obedience from others.
1t canuot be interpreted by the unre.
cOnSructed elementof 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 u--Rs a tri-
umph; for, as intelligent men, they must
know that the mere change of military
commanders cannot alter the law, and
that Gen. Thomas will be as much bound
by its requirements as Gen. Sheridan.
It cannot emboiden them to renewed
opposition to the will of the loyal masses,
believing that they have the executive
with them, for they are perfectly familiar
with the antecedents of the president,
and know that he has not obstructed
the faithful execution of any act of
congress.
No one, as you are aware, has higher
appreciation than myself Of the services
Of Gen. Thomas, aud no one would be
less inclined TO assist him to a command
not entirely to his wishes. ..- .
Knowing him as do, / cannot think
he will hesitate for a moment to obey
my order, having in view q complete
and speedy restoration of the union, in
the preservation of which he has rem
dered such important and valuable ser
vice. .. .
Gen. Hancock, known to the whole
country as a gallant, able and patriotic
soldier, will, ] have no doubt, sustain his
high reputation in any position in which
he may be assigned. If, as you observe,
the department which he will leave is a
a complicated one, l feel confident that,
under the guidance aud instructions
Of Gen. Sherman, Gen. Sheridan will
soon become familiar with its necessities,
and will avail himself Of the opportunity
afforded by the Indian troubles for the
display of the energy, enterprise aud
daring which gave him so enviable q
reputation during the recent struggle.
In assuming that it is the expressed
wish of the people that Gen. Sheridan
should not be removed from command,
you remark that it is republic, based,
however, upon q written constitution.
The constitution is the combined and
expressed will of the people, and their
voice is law when reflected in the man
ner which that instrument prescribes.
While one of its provisions makes the
president cOmmander-in-chief of the
army and navy, another requires that
he shall take care that the law be faith
fully executed. Believing that q change
in the command in the fifth military
district is absolutely necessary for faith
ful execution of the law, have issued
the order which is the subject of this cor
respondence. ANDREW JOHNSON.
The order assigning Hancock to Sheri-
dams place is as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,