American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1867-09-07

well known to the country. Having
won high and honorable Distinction
in the field, he has sine, inthe, exc
cution Of the responsible duties of Il
department commander exhibited
great ability, sound discretion and
sterling patriotism. He has not fail
ed under the most tying circum-
stances to enforce the laws, preserve
,eace and order, to encourage the
restoration of civil authority and to
promote, as far as possible, a spirit
of reconciliation. His administra-
ton of the department of the Cum
berland will certainly compare with
that OF Gen. Sheridan in the fifth
military district. These affairs APP
pear to be in disturbed condition,
and IL bitter spirit Of antagonism
seems to have resulted form Gen.
Sheridan's management. He has
rendered himself obn0iouS by the
manner in which he has exercised
the powers conferred by Congress,
and still more SO by u resort to au-
thority not granted by law, nor nee
cssary to his faithful and efficient ex-
n His rule has in fact been
reference 10 Uno principles OF Utn'sv.+
eminent or nature of our free institu-
tons. The state of affairs which has
resulted from the course he has pur-
sued has seriously interfered with
a harmonious, satisfactory and speedy
execution Of the acts of Congress,
and is alone sufficient to Justify a
change. His removal, therefore.
can not be regarded as an effort to
defeat the laws of Congress, for the
object is to facilitate their execution
through an officer who has never
failed to obey the law and to exact
within his jurisdiction like obedi-
ence from others. 1t cannot be in
terpreted by the unreconstructed ele-
ment of the South-those who did all
they could to break up this govern
mcnt, and now wish to be the only
element consulted as to the method |
OF restoring ofder-as triumph; for,
as intelligent men they must know
that the mere change of military
cannot alter the law. |
and that Gen. Thomas will be as
much bound by the requirements as
icn Sheridan, it cannot embolden
hem to the renewed opposition to
he masses, believing that they have
he Executive with them, for tley
re perfectly familiar with the ante
edents Of the President, and know
hat he has not INSTRUCTED Con gress.
No one, as you are aware, has high
r appreciation than myself of the
eIViceS of Gen. Thomas, and no one
'ould be less inclined to assist him
0 a command not entirely to his
fishes. Knowing him as do, | can.
OF think he will hesitate for mo
tent to obey my order having in
lew a complete and speedy restora
on of the Union, in the preservation
which he has rendered such i'm
Drtant and valuable service. Gen. I
ancock, known to the country as a
lllant, able and patriotic soldier,
Ill, | have no doubt, sustain his d
oh reputation in any position to I
hich he may be assigned If, as YOU I
'Serve the department which Gen. !
lerldan will have is complicated
e, feel confident that under the II
lldance and instruction, of Gen. ?
herman, he will soon become famil. :
with its necessities, and will avail =
mSelf of the opportunity afforded Il
the recent Indian troubles for the a
Splay of the energy, enterprise u
Il daring which gave him 30 envia- =!
c reputation during the recent II
I'll struggle. In assuming that it is u
e expressed wish of the people that
N. Sheridan should not be remov. "
from his present command, you X
mark that this is a republic &C
sed, however, upon a written con. -
tuition. That constitution is the IL,
nbined and expressed will of the n
'ple, and their voice is law when 10
lected in the manner which that III
trument prescribes, while one of
provisions make the President 81
nmander-in-clief of the army and 10
"; another requires that he shall 10
e care that the law shall be faith q
" executed, and believing that ne
nge in the command of the fifth -
ltary district Is necessary for a Af
hful execution of law. | have
led the order which is the subject Sps
this correspondence. In exercis- w
a power that inheres in the Ex- ne
tive, under the constitution as no
commander in-chief Ct the army ha
navy, | am discharging duty an
uired of me by the will of the ba
ion, as formally declared in the Al
rene law of the land. By his on
b the Executive is solemnly bound. ore
he best of his ability, to preserve, fro
tect, and defend the constitution. coz
although in time of great excite. nee
It, it be lost to public view, it is the
duty, without regard to conse- DO,
noes to himself, to hold sacred ON
enforce any and all of its provi int,
s, or any course which would ant
to the destruction of the repub- five
for the constitution once abolish Tn,
there would be no Congress for Off
exercise of legislative powers, no mi.
utive to see that the laws are tar
fully executed, no Judiciary to can
d protection TO life, limb and ing
erty, and usurpation would in Cal
IDLY follow, and despotism be emit
on the people in violation of tina
! combined and expressed will. dir,
| fail to perceive any not
airy, pecuniary or patriotic rea- maj