The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-02-13
THE POLITICIAN AND THE SOLDIER.

The correspondence between General
Grant and the President, about the re-
instatement of Stanton in the War Of
fee has just been published. 1t is alto
gether toe lengthy for our use but we
present below in an extract from an edi-
torial in the W1ssonsts most of the lead
Ing points. There is but little doubt that
the President appointed Grant Secretary
of War, I'D Interim in order to destroy
him. but that unyielding soldier refused
TO be made the plant tool the President
anticipated.
General Grant summarizes the facts
briefly. When he entered upon the
functions of the War Office, the Presi-
dent asked General Grant If Mr.. Stanton
was orderedto be reinstated, what would
he (Stanton) have to do to accomplish
that object. Grant replied that he sup
posed it would have to be done by pro-
cess of the Court, served upon him
(Grantl But a subsequent examination
Of the Civil Tenure Bill, and after con-
suItation with Lit. General Sherman, he
came to the CONCLUSION that he would be
bound by law to surrender the War OF
fee upon the notification of the Senate
that Mr. Stanton had been reinstated
Having adopted this conviction, ne called
upon the President on the llth of janu'
airy, and stated that his opinion had
changed, and he would not hold the of
flee if Mr.. Stanton was reinstated Pre-
sident johnson, with all his legal quibb
lings, does not deny this salient and i'm
portant fact.
On Monday night the 18th of January
the Senate ordered the reinstatement o
Stanton. The notice was served upol
General Grant on Tuesday. Like a goot
citizen he at once obeyed the law and re
tired from the War Department. Tha
Is his offense in the estimation Of \
johnson and hisrebel copperhead follow
ers north and south.
To get rid of this embarrassing Cabi
net imbroglio, General Sherman on TIL
18th inst. suggested to the Presiden
that the nomination of Ex-Governor Co
of Ohio to the War Department woUl
settle the whole difficulty. Cox would b
confirmed by the Senate and Stanton
would go out. A. J. did not accept thi
advice, and hence Mr.. Stanton remain
in the Cabinet.
During all this unpleasant cabinet i'm
beogIio, Gen. Grant appears to have bee
in almost daily consultation with Genera
Sherman, whom he loves as brother
and in whose judgement he greatly cor
fdes
1t appears that on the 10Th OF Januar
FIVE days after Stanton reinstatement
Gen. Grant called upon Mr.. Stanton an
suggested the propriety of his resigna
ten. Gen, Grant said that his sugge>
ton was useless, because Mr.. Stanto
had come to the conclusion that the bes
interests Of the country required chat h
should remain In the war department, i
order to faithfully carry out the recoi
struction laws.
But the most extraordinary develoI
ment Of this whole correspondence is ii
now undeniable fact that President JOIN
son directed General Grant not to ODE
the orders of the War Department, III
less he knew the orders came direct
from the President; and all the san
time the President cid not have the cou
age to direct the Secretary of War not
issue any orders as usually published 1
the direction of the President. 4
johnson object appears to have been
Inyeigle the Generai-in-Ch into a pl,
to disobey the orders of the War Depar
ment, which by law he is bound to ODE,
unless countermanded by the Presiden
This correspondence will add immea
ureably to General Grants reputatio
among the thoughtful, the conseryativ
the iaw-abiding and patriotic pen of Il
Nation 1t shows that this great soldi
has the clearest conception Of his duti
rs citizen, and that no man In the coo
try is above the law of the land
la conclusion General Grant felt co
strained by some regard for his person
character. and the reputation he has e