The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-03-11

The Situation of Affairs at the CAPITAL.

On the 21st ult. correspondent of the New FORK
Herald had an interview with the President, the result
| of which has been published We copy as follows:
Your correspondent, however, had an interview with
his Excellensy tonight after the state dinner, and
found him not stricken with fear trembling but sm
ing and radiant in better humor and spirits than for
| many months. The President received your corre-
spondent after the usual hour for visitors, and granted
him half an hours interview After the customary sal
utatons your correspondent that the country
was somewhat taken by surprise by the sudden
val OF stanton and the appointment Of Thomas Sec
The President smiled and inquired, " ELL what do
the people say2 suppose they surprised; but |
nare only done what had determined upon long
correspondence The removal, then, is not in pur-
suanae OF recent determination your part, Mr..
! RESIDENT"
The President" Not at all, sir. The people seem
to have mistaken my altogether in this matter
never had but determination the subject, but
have acted carefully, prudenty and moderately. Per-
haps have been too slow about removing Mr. Stanton,
but not because feared the bugbear of impeachment,
or that dreaded anything that Congress might do.
Nothing that body could attempt carry out would
intlmidate or surpse me- know they are capable of
doing anything. delayed final action solely to let the
country and understand the position of Mr. Stan
ton. We first intimated to him that would like him
to Withdraw from our priyy council He did not take
the hint We then requested him to resign. He re-
fused. We then suspended him, under the constitu-
tiona power which we have to suspend or remove a
member of our cabinet. The act Of suspension was
also not in conflict with the tenure of office BILL though
we did not therefore recognise its consttutionaty As
matter of courtesy, sent reasons for action to
Senate. Inat pretended consider those
reasons sufficient and assumed to reinstate Mr. Stan
| ton in office. WE'LL we still waited, hoping Mr.. STAN
ton would see the propriety of fresignng himself Gen.
Sherman and Gen Grant offered to 90 to Stanton and
advise him to resign Here is letter. which indicates
what they proposed
The President here allowed your correspondent to
read the following letter to him from Gen. Sherman:
| 322 K STREET, WASHINGTON,
| January 1S-Saturday.
neglected this morning to say that had agreed to
90 down to Annapolis to spend Sunday with Admiral
1 ri IN
day morning, at IA NJ. AT conversation with the
General after our interview, wherein offered to go
that it was our joint opinion he should resign it
found impossible by reason of his going to Richmond
and my going to annapolis. The General proposed
this course He will cali you to and to go
to Mr. Stanton to say for the good of the service and
of the country he ought to gn. This Sunday. On
Monday will again call on you, and if you think it
tell him he should resign. Ifhe will not, then it will be
time to contrive Interior measures. In the meantime
SO happens that necessity exists for precpating
W. i. SHERMAN, Lieut. General
The PresNent then continued, After waiting rea-
sonabe time thought proper to-day to order the re-
Secretary of War ad interim. This is the whole story"
| Correspondent" Was this step discussed in the
cabinet council, Mr.. PRESIDENT"
The President" No, sir; not precisely. A general
policy agreed upon some time ago, and the reno
val to-day Isl accordance Herewith have just re-
ceived copy of the resolution adopted by the Senate
| to- -nlgEt IN executive session. .EF
Correspondent" What will the Senate do, Mr. Pres
ident under that resolution you still insist upon hav
ing Gen. Thomas act as Secretary ad Interim"
thing The resolution itself is the end of the matter,
so far the Senate is concerned, unless the House
presents articles of impeachment and the Senate un
derakes to try the Executive and resolves itself into
high court ofimpeachment."
Correspondent" Do you think Congress really will
| attempt impeachment, Mr.. President"
! The Presidential don't know, indeed; nor do |
lear would max little difference to ;"
Your correspondent here asked what the President
would do in the event of the passage of MIR Edmunds
bill of suspension, to which the President answered
substantially "Sir, would not obey the law if they
attempted to suspend me. The law is clearly uncon
stitutonal There is point against which you gen
temen of press have altogether overlooked
The bill of Senator Edmunds to suspend pending trial
would undoubtedly be post acto law SO far as my
case would be concerned Such law IS declared un-
itself. My offence, will suppose, is the removal of
Mr.. Stanton. That is an accomplished fact Any law
prescribing penalty for that act would be es post aeo,
and therefore unconstitutional How, therefore,
Congress legally pass bill of such character?"
Your correspondent remarked that certain Radicals
might argue that persistence in keeping Mr. Stanton
of office, after the Senate declaring his removal
contrary to law, and after the proposed passage of Mr.
Edmunds suspension BILL would be to bring the ques-
Gn out OF tae o Oh W a cod not aer tho
case the offence charged would still be the removal
of Mr.. Stantonan act performed before the passage
of the proposed law. :.
In reply to an inquiry as to whether the President
had seen Gen. Thomas since the interview of the latter
with Mr. Stanton the President said yes and proceeded
Cured at that interview "Gen. Thomas" he said
waited upon Mr.. Stanton, and showed to him the
Presidents order removing Mr.. Stanton and appoint
ING him (Gen Thomas) Secretary of War ad interim
Mr. Stanton read the ORDER and asked Thomas whether
he would be obliged to vacate the office forthwith
Thomas said his Instructions were to assume control
immediately Stanton then said he would like to have
time to arrange and take away his papers and docu
ments; to which Thomas replied that considerable
time would be allowed for such purpose No time,
rangements"
Your correspondent had some further conversation
with the President, but the chief points have been
given The President repeatedly expressed his utter
indifference as to what course Congress might adopt
the impeachment question and in answer to part
ing remark of your correspondent that the President
might sleep soundly in spite of the threatened mpeach
ment, he said, laughing, don't think my slumbers
will be much disturbed by. that fear shall sleep
soupdIy and awake refreshed"