The New York herald., 1868-02-24

gent face and solderly bearing moment or Two spens
IN cJnvsrsation would not bs thrown away your cur
respondent answered in . manner indicative o. ospo-
sition 70 enjoy Q little chat with him. MS question:
whether success attended the eort to Obtain an nssF
view. remarked that the commencement OF omcia
business tomorrow morning promised to bring WIN |"
some little excitement
"Why do you think SOL"
,General Thomas is expected to begin the discharge
OF his duties Secretary of War ad 'nfe"' ana VIII
order every TO obey him as SUCH"
'But nobody will obey him; what thenT
'.Then he will probably place the dsobedient indi'
vdual under arrest"
'e can't give an order except by authority Of tue
Secretary War; and his order OF arrest WIN DO as
regarded What them"
'Thcn, presume, he will call upon the guard 70 en-
force his ordsEn
.sBu suppose the guard will take no orders from any
one but the Secretary Of War, what then2
SWELL I am sure can scarcely say. The President
may deem expedlent to step in at this point ana may
possibly order General Grant enforce General Thomas
orders"
'And If General Grant should decline to obey beiev-
ing IL TO be a illegal order what them"
'Then il strikes that the President could arrest
General Grant tor dsobedence towards his Commander
in Chief In Short the President has the power TO ar
rest every officer who refuses obedience TO his orders
until he removed from his Office by the powers gwen
him in the constitution He 10 Commander-in-Chiei OF
the Army, and every officer who rebels against his
authority must be prepared to take the Consequences
Al this period of the conversation the Captain sug
gesed that the Army Regulations permitted an oincer
exercise some discretion in tho matter OF deciding
what IS and what is Illegal order; but when rc
minded that Army Regulations were established by act
OF Congress- and could not therefore, be brought into
hy piaa adiputh tham as
for refusing obedience to the President OF the
United States be had nothing urge reply, and the
interview terminated.
This conversation may serve to show the aninus OF
the majority OF the army officers on duty in this
city, and clearly indicates that any attempt on the part
OF General Thomas to enforce his authority as secretary
Of War ad interim will probably result in failure.
During the entire day large party of friends has
been with Mr. Stanton the most OF whom radical
Senator's and Representatives. Among those who had
long conferences with him were Senators Wade Conk
ling Thayer Chandler and Drake, ard Representatives
Beaman Logan and Farnsworth. 1t Is understood that
The advice given to Mr. Stanton by his friends to-day
was to continue to hold his position il he had to
call the troops to sustain HIM. All the letters and
teegrams tha. could be gathered from members Of Con-
gress having been received by them from radical con-
stuents urging them to stand firm, we're produced and
shown for the encouragement of Mr. Stanton; and IL is
further said that the probable vote tomorrow or i'm
peachment was announced for his edcaon, and forty
votes only were reckoned against tho resolution
An Interview with Attorney General STAN
bery.
Attorney General Stanbery maintains his usual equa-
nmiy IN the midst of the knoty points OF law and pre-
ceden, with which the past few days be has been
Your correspondent, visiting Mr. Stanbery
this evening his eegan parors the hotel found
atad rfnl ireo of
grate his eyes fixed upon the curling smoke
and flashes Of fame, but his mind evidently
absorbed IN the momcntous questions of the
hour. After the usua! salutatory expressions, and
general skrmsh Of observations received with judicial
rigdity the aabsorbng topic now engrossng the pub
lie mind dropped in with due regard TO the charac
ter Of the individual addressed.
Correspondent-"We are about entering scenes which
involve consequences OF nature"
Attorney General docking at the FIRE aud changing po
siton)--'sYes, sir. I"
Corrcgpondcnt"A great deal now rests with the pru-
dence and discretion OF those Mt the head Of affairs"
Attorney General again changing poston,-"very
much indeed"
Correspondent-'Iy does not appear possible for the
Presden. to exercise his legitimate powers without
sorting to force"
Attorney General-"I do not think any force will be
necessary, and ! don't think any will be used. The
question one involving the power OF the President TO
exercise prerosative accorded him by the constitution
AS long opportunity s given TO resolve
and debate and hold meetings and indulge Q free
exchange Of views there ID no danger OF serious
troube but restrain these privileges would probably
lead to other means Of giving vent to the views
held by opposite parties Il is like two lawyers: they
take issue upon points of Law or fact and have the
appearance Of great hostility; but after the war OF
ara iustn nat IA -
Hero the Attorney General changed the subject, evil
don,ly not anxious to say nythng regard to the
direct issues involved In the relations existing
Mr. stanton and the President.
The Grnud Army Of the Republic Endorse
Congress.
am informed, upon trustworthy authority. that nu-
merous dispatches have been received from the Grand
Army Of the Republic, secret military organization
with posts established in all parts Of the country en-
dorsing he action Of Congress- The general tenor
OF these dispatches !. that the members o!
tho Grand Army Of the Republic win no,
sea Congress overthrown and II violence is used in
erecting Mr. Stanton 1o0, 600 ready te
washington and put him back The Ordor Is reported
as In great of excitement, and Is unanimously
resolved take sides with the policy OF Congress and
defend it all It's II affairs brought TO such
an extremity.
The Knm0rs About the City.
This evening good deal OF currency was given to The
rumor that The President had issued order placing
General Grant under arrest and the newsmongers
Wild with delight at having an item to relate that over.
shadowed All the previous sensations OF the past few
days II ascortaned to DO barren OF reality
~hen i discovered that General Gran; very
pleasantly engaged guiding his favorite team al
afternoon drive and smoking his immortal cigar.
The parent fancy gave birth another start ms
rumor tha, General Emory, commander Of tho troop,
in Washington, refused to obey order from the presi
dent unless issued through General Grant. Inquiry
demonstrated thai this sso SHY speculation ant
that after al world Is not coming TO end al a
once.
The prcsidrni's Dinner 20 the Democrat,
Committee.
The dinner gwen by the President TO the denocrat,
committee Is regarded by the guests very gratifying
aud interesting event. The state dining va,
crowded forty guests participating in the festival
.tltg,