Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-24
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, February 4.-Itis stated
that Attorney General Stanbery, Judge
Black and Chas. O'Connor will defend
the President before the Senate.
Major General George II. Thomas de-
clnes the proffered brevets of Lieutenant
General and General of the Army.
New YORK, February 24.-The Her.
AIDS Washington correspondent states
that appearances last night indicate that
the War Department trouble will resolve
itself finally into legal struggle, wherein
the most beligerent parties will be the
lawyers, and final judgment will be
rendered by a court instead of by
sanguinary conflict. Gen. Thomas
stated to the Heralds correspondent,
last night, at the conclusion of the inter-
view relative to his intentions to day, as
follows: :" l shall 60 down to the Depart
ment, at the usual hour, as Sec
rotary of War dd interim, to all
intents and purposes, without any
reservation or doubt that my powers
as such are perfectly legitimate, as were
those of General Grant. | shall go
about the business of The Department,
and issue orders in the name of
the President, and give instructions
to subordinates and ofici ais, and direct
the general work of the De partment Of
course, it will be very unpleasant for me
to find officers there who may be prepared
to disregard my orders 1t may, per-
haps, happen to be some personal friends
of my own, but have no other resource
than to use the power conferred upon
me, and order them under arrest, If they
refuse to obey the legitimate authority"
But what about the great Mogul him
self; is Stanton to be left securely alone2
That's the question. He has already re-
fused to vacate, and l suppose he will
persist in his refusal"
"On my own option shall decline to
use any force, but if the President in
structs me to employ forcible persuasion
must be consistent to do so. However,
shall await the future development of
this disagreeable business before saying
what shall do"
In an interview between Secretary
Stanton and the same correspondent, the
former stated that he had not issued an
order to prevent General Thomas from
entering the War Department. He also
stated that it was impossible to say what
action he would take If Thomas insisted
on assuming the duties of the War
Department. His action will depend
altogether on the movements Of Gen.
Thomas.
The same correspondent is informed
that numerous dispatches have been re-
ceived from the Grand Army Of the Re.
public, which report that secre; military
organization, with posts, is being estab-
lished in all parts Of the country, in
dorsing the action Of Congress.
The general tenor Of the dis
patches is that members of the Grand
Army Of the Republic viii not see Con-
gress overihrOwn and If violence is
used in ejecting Mr.. Stanton, lO0,O
men are ready TO come to Washington
and put him back. The ordsr is re-
ported as in a great state OF excite
meni, aud is unanimously roson ed
to take sides with the policy Of Congress,
aud defend il in al its measures, If affairs
arc brought 10 such an extremity. %
Saturday the message which went TO the
Senate after iis Adjournment, containing
the name Of Mr.. EuiBg for confirmation
ss Secretary Of War, vas too late