Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-08-27
PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO GEN. GRANT
EXECUTIVE MANSION.

WAsHlNGToN D. c., August 10. 1867.
GENERAL: | have received your communl-
cation of the 18th instant, and thank you tor
the pro.nptness with which you have submit
ted your views respecting the assignments d.
rected in my order Of that date. When |
stated, in my unofficial note Of the l1lh, that
[ would be pleased to hear any suggestions
you might deem necessary upon the subject,
it was not my intention to ask from you L
formal report but rather TO invite verbal
statement Of any reasons affecting the public
interests which, in your opinion, would render
the order inexpedient. lnasmuch, however,
as you have embodied your suggestions IN i;
written communication, it is proper that |
should make some reply.
You earnestly urge that the order be not
insisted on, remarking that 'it is Enthusiastically
the expressed wish of the country that Cen
Sheridan should not be removed from his pre-
sent command While am cognizant Of the
efforts that have been made 10 retain General
Sheridan in command Of the 9Th military dis
tri:t | am not aware that the question has
ever been submitted to the people themselves
tor determination 1t certainly would be I'M
just to the army to assume that, in the opinion
Of the nation, he alone is capable Of command
ing the States Of Louisiana and Texas, and
general in the military service OF the u. ).
would be competent to ill his place General
Thomas, whom have designated as his sue
cessor, is we'll known to. the country. Having
won high and honorable distinction. in the
field, he has since, in the execution of the re-
sponsble duties of a department commander,
exhibited great ability, sound discretion and
sterling patriotism. He has not failed, under
the most trying circumstances, to enforce the
laws, to preserve peace and order, to encour
age the restoration Of civil authority and TO
promote, as far as possible, a spirit Of recon
ciliation. His administration Of the Depart
ment OF the Cumberland will certainly compare
most favorabIy with that Of Gen. Sheridan in
the 5th military district There affairs appear
to be in disturbed condition, and L bitter
spirit Of antagonism seems to have resulted
from Gen. Sheri1ans management He has
rendered himself exceedingly obnoxious by the
manner in which he has exercised even the
powers conferred by Congress- and still more
so by resort to authority not granted by law
nor necessary to Ito faithful and efficient exc
cu,ion. His rule has, in fact, been one OF ab.
soute tyranny, without reference TO the prln-
cipleS of our Government or the nature OF our
tree Institutions The state Of affairs which
has resulted from the course he has pursued
has seriously ntertered with HARMONIOUS,
satisfactory, and speedy execution Of the acts
of Congress, and is alone sufficient to Justify
change His removal, therefore, cannot BE
regarded as an effort to defeat the laws cf
Congress, for the object is to facilitate their
execution, through an officer who has never
failed to ORGY the statutes of the land, and to
exact, within his jurisdiction, like obedience
from others. 1t cannot be interpreted by the
unreconstructed element in the South--thoSe
who did all they could TO break up this Gov
eminent by arms and now wish to be the only
element 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 alter the law, and
that Gen. Thomas will be as much bound by
its requirements as Gen. Sheridan. 1t cannot
'embolden them to renewed opposition to the
will OF the loyal masses, believing that they
have the Executive with them, tor 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.
Nc one, as you are aware, has i higher ap-
probation than myself Of the services OF Gener-
al Thomas, and 70 one would be less inclined
to assign him to 4 command not entirely to
his wishes. Knowing him as | do, | cannot
think that he Will hesitate for moment to
obey any order having in view u complete and
speedy restoration of the Union, in the preser-
walton of which he has rendered such import
ant and valuable services.
Gen. Hancock known to the whole eountry
as ga liant, and patriotic soldier will, have
no doubt, sustain his high reputation in any
position to which he may be assigned. 1t, as