The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-02-14
Tae Johnson and Grant ContrOTeFsT

gard to the question of veracity al
issue between the President and the
distinguished General. Two Of these
oficers-Secretaries MCCULLocH and
WELLs-testify with all the prompt
ness, zeal and positiveness Of prepared
witnesses. Their evidence indicates
that they were not 50. anxious to give
the facts correctly, as to make a
strong case for their friend. 1t is not
surprising that their letters were
greeted With shouts Of ridicule and
laughter in the House Of Representa-
tives. Witnesses with more con-
venient or positive memories we have
not met for many a day. They would
be fortune to any lawyer in a doubt
full case, especially il they we're per
mitted to pass without a cross exani-
nation. .@gaTw au
Messrs. RANDALL and BROWNING,
in their letters, attempt to be more
particular in their testimony. They
give what they remember As the sub
stance of the conversation at the
Cabinet meeting, when Gen GRAET
IL said to have confessed his duplicity
and treachery.
Secretary SEWARD is still more par
ticular to give US all his recollection
ID the matter, We print his letter in
full on the second page. We hope
every reader Of the JoUREAL viii
carefully study it. 1t throws a great
deal Of light on the controversy, and
suggests very clearly explanations that
would remove the existing difficulties
were the parties to the controversy
animated by no other motive than a
desire to get at the truth and place it
before the country ~
No candid man can read the entire
correspondence between Gen. Grant
and the President, consider its origin
and the spirit 10 which it has been
conducted, without pretty clearly COM
pretending the motive that has been
the guide of each. It will be remem-
bered that the President first took
steps to have the private CONVEX
sations between Gen. GRANT and
himself, as well as a discussion at
a private Cabinet meeting, given to
the public. He called into his private
room the reporters of the New York
World and National Intelligence,
and detailed TO them his version of
the story. He did this for the pur-
pose Of iniuring Gen. GRANT in the
estimation Of the people. Feeling
keenly this effort on the part of the
President to tarnish his honor, Gen.
GRANT, nevertheless, remained silent
Determined. however, to have no mis-
understanding In the&fature, HE de-
manded Of the President written or
ders, assigning as 2 reason for the
ae4oands x the statements in the
papers derogatory to his character as
a man and soldier. This brought
out the whole correspondence. The
motive of the President is apparent
all the way through. He was anxious
to bring his quarrel with Congress to
direct result, but was too cowardly
to assume the responsibility of such
struggle. Knowing that General
GRANT, as a soldier, was disposed to
obey every order of his superior officer,
Mr. JOHNSON thought he would
take advantage Of this spirit Of
subordination, and make General
GRANT bear all the responsibility
of a direct collision with the legis,a
tive department of the Government.
Being foiled in this base attempt, By
the shrewdness and honesty of the
officer he sought to ruin, the Presi-
dent vilely and viciously assaulted him,
accusing him of falsehood and insub-
ordination. IF Gen. GRANT is insub-
ordinate for not disobeying the laws
Of the land, what is the President.
who orders HIM to thus disobey and
trample them under foot?
= We think no one can read the en-
tire correspondence without realizing |
that Mr.. JOHNSON was as treacherous
toward General GRANT as he has been |
to the Republican party. In the entire
proceedings General Grant has acted |
the part of soldier who suspected |
nothing, and sought only to obey his |
superior in command and the laws Of |
his country at the same time. Mr..