Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-03-05
galitifM.
THE ROW AT WASHINGTON.
FULL PARTICULARS.

b.. T.. EAnIASOAAnSs
The Northern papers contain full particulars in
regard to the recent attempted removal Of Secre'
tary Stanton, and the events to which it gave rise
A correspondent of the New York Herald visited
the President on Friday night of last week, and
furnishes the following as to what the latter thinks
about the situation of affairs: a
"After the customary salutations, your cores.
pondeut remarked that the country was somewhat
taken by surprise by the sudden removal of Stan,
ton and the appointment of Thomas as Secretary
ad interim. .-sra. n -sas. s.. p. a..E. ....
fl The President smiled and inquired, "Wel, what
do the people esay2 Isuppose they are surprised ;
but I have only done what had determined upon
long ago." ."
Correspondent-Th removal, then, is not in pur-
suance of recent determination on your part, MIR.
President?"
The Rresident-"Not at all, sir. The people
seem to have mistaken my course altogether in this
matter. never had but one determination on this
subject, but have acted carefully, prudently and
moderately. Perhaps have been too slow about
removing Mr. Stanton, but not because l feared the
bugbear of impeachment, or that dreaded any
thing that Congress might do. Nothing that body
could attempt or carry out would intimidate or sur
prise me. I know they are capable of doing any
thing delayed final action solely to let the coun-
try see and understand the position Of Mr. Stanton.
We first intimated to him that we would like for
him to withdraw from our privy council He did
not take the hint We then requested him to re-
sign He refused We then suspended him, un-
der the constitutional power we have to suspend or
remove member of our Cabinet. The act of sus-
pension was also not in conflict with the Tenure OF
Office bill, though we did not therefore recognize
its constitutionality. As matter of courtesy we
sent reasons for our action to the Senate. That
body pretended not to consider those reasons suf-
cient, and assumed to reinstate Mr. Stanton in Of
fee. Well, we still waited, hoping Mr.. Stanton
would see the propriety ofresigning himself Gen.
Sherman and General Grant offered to 60 to STAN
ton and advise him to resign. After waiting a
reasonable time we thought proper to-day to order
the removal of MIR. Stanton and to appoint Gener-
al Thomas Secretary of War ad interim. This is
the whole story"
Correspondent-"Was this step discussed in the
Cabinet council, Mr.. President2" .....
The Rresident-"No, sir; not precisely. A
general policy was agreed upon sometime ago, and
the removal to-day is in accordance Herewith. 1
have just received copy of the resolution adopt
ed by the Senate tonight in executive session.
The President here read the resolution printed else
where. ...-.:.'
Corespondent-"Whatw will the Senate do, Mr..
President, under that resolution, if you still insist
upon having General Thomas act as Secretary ad
anterin?" s:* .s
The Rresiaent-'T don't see that they can do
anything The resolution itself is the end of the
matter, so far as the Senate is concerned, unless
the House presents articles of impeachment and
the Senate undertakes to try the Executive, and
resolves itself into high court of impeachment. !"
Corespondent-"Do You think Congress really
will attempt impeachment, Mr.. President?'
The Rresideat-'sI do not know, indeed; nor do
I care. 1t would make very little difference to
me-"
Your correspondent here asked what the Presi-
dent would do in the event Of the passage OF MIR;
Edmunds' bill of suspension, to which the Presi-
dent answered, substantially, "SIR, WOULD NOT
OBEY THE LAW IF THEY ATTEMPTED TO SUSPEND
ME. The law is clearly unconstitutional. There
is point against it which you gentlemen Of the
press seem to have altogether overlooked. The
bill of Senator Edmunds to suspend pending trial
would undoubtedly be an er post tacto law so far
as my case would be concerned Such law is de-
clared unconstitutional by the very language of the
constitution itself My offence, we will suppose,
is the removal of Mr.. Stanton That is an ac-
complished fact Any law prescribing penalty
for that act would be er post acto, and therefore,
unconstitutional How, therefore, can Congress
legally pass bill of such character?'
Your correspondent remarked that certain Rad
icals might argue that persistence in keeping Mr.
Stanton out Of Office, after the Senate declaring
his removal contrary to law, and after the proposed
passage of Mr.. Edmunds' suspension bill, would
be bringing the question out of the operation of
an er post tacto law. ..-.a..
The President replied that that could not alter
the case, as the offence charged would still be the
removal of Mr.. Stanton-an act performed before
the passage of the proposed law. s
In reply to an inquiry as to whether the Presi-
dent had seen General Thomas since the interview
of the latter with Mr. Stanton, the President said
yes and proceeded to state what, according to his
information, had occurredat that interview. Gen.
Thomas" he said, waited upon Mr. Stanton,
and showed to him the Presidents order removing
Mr. Stanton and appointing him General Thom-
as) as 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 con-
troll Immediately. Stanton then said he wouldlike
to have time to arrange and take away his papers
and documents; to which Thomas replied that a
considerable time would be allowed for that pur-
pose, No time, however, was fixed for MIR. Stan
ton to finish his arrangements.
Your correspondent had some further converse,
ton with the President, but the chief points have
been given. The President repeatedly expressed
his utter indifference as to what course Congress
might adopt on the impeachment question; and in
answer to parting remark of your correspondent
that the President might sleep soundly in spite Of
the threatened impeachment he said, laughing, u
don't think my slumbers will be much disturbed by
that fear. I shall sleep soundly and awake re-
freshed."
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE WAR OFFICE.
The War Department from dark on Friday night
. till dawn on Saturday, was the scene OF anxious
consultations among Stanton and his partlsans.
At one o'clock Saturday morning. Hon. David
X. Cartier, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia, and tool of Stan
TONS visited the War Department, About four
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