The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-02-25

! 4CSaA CunsbIucLtOh Ot LHb A6uuE'
Of Office Bill. as applicable to thu
Secretary of War, aud closes his Mes
sage as follows:
| have been impelled by solemn OBJ
legations, which rest upon me to sus.
tain inviofate the powers of the high
office committed to my hands, what.
ever be the consequences. Merely
personal to myself, [ could not allow
them to prevail against public duty,
so clear to my own mind, and so i'm
perative If what was possible, had
been certain; if / had been
fully advised when I removed
Mr.. Stanton, that in thus defending
the trust committed to my hands, if
my own removal was sure to follow,
could not have hesitated. Actuated
by public considerations of the high
est character, / earnestly protest
against the resolution OF the Senate,
which charges me in what have doae
with a violation of the Constitution
and laws of the United States.
(Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. 22, 1868.
9 New YORK, Feb. 23.-The Herald 5
Washington special states that ap-
.pearanees last night indicate that the
War Department trouble will resolve
itself finally into a legal struggle,
wherein the most belligerent parties
Will be the lawyers, and the final j1dg-
ment will be rendered by the courts
instead OF by sanguinary contest of
armed resistance. - -
General Thomas stated to the Her
dld's correspondent, last night, in
concluding an interview relative to
his intentions, to-day, as follows:
" | shall go down to the War De-
partment at the usual hour as Secre-
tary Of War dd interim, to all intents
and purposes, without any reservation
or doubtthat my powers as such are
perfectly legitimate, as were those of
General Grant. [ shall set about the
business of the Department, issue
orders In the name of the
give Instructions to
subordinate officials, and direct
the general work of the Department.
Of course, it will be very unpleasant
for me to find officers there who may
be prepared 10 Disregard my orders.
1t may, perhaps, happen to be some
personal friends of my own, but /
have no other resource than to use
the power conferred upon me, and or
der them under arrest if they refuse
to obey the legitimate authority. But
what about the great Moguf him
self. Is Stanton to be left securely
alone? That is the question. He has
already refused, to, yacate, and | sup
pose he Will persist in his refusal. In
my own option I shall decline to use
any force, but if the President shall
instruct me to employ, foTcible
persuasion L must be consistent and
do so. However, | shall await the
future development of this disa2reea-
bic business before saying what /
shall do. In an interview with Secre-
tary Stanton, with the same cor
respondent, the former STATED
he had not issued any order to pre-
vent General Thomas entering the
War Department. He also stated It
was impossible TO say what action he
would take if Thomas insisted on az
suming the duties Of the War De-
partment. His action will depend al
together on the movements. of Gen.
Thomas.
The same CORRESPONDENT is
further informed that numerous
dispatches have been received from
the Grand Army of the Republic, a
secret military organization. with
posts established in. all parts of the
country, endorsing the action of Con-
gress. The general tenor of these
is that the members of
the Grand Army of the Republic
will not see Congress overthrown, and
if resistance is used In ejecting Mr..
stanton. one hundred thousand men
are ready to come to Washington aud
put him back. The Order is report
cd as In great state Of excitement
and is unanimously resolved to take
sides with the policy of Congress, !
ind defend tin all its measures, if /
affairs are brought to such an ex- !
.remity.
Saturday the message which went
% the Senate after its adjournment.
contained the name Of Mr.. Ewing for
as Secretary of War. and /
being too late for action that day. it /
vas withdrawn and will be sent In |
gain Monday Mr.. Ewing has mott
led the President that he will accept |
he appointment. Elt
An army officer on duty at the War
intimated yesterday that /
,rders from any other person than
Secretary Stanton would be disregard I
ID by army officers.
The militia of Maryland have
their services to prom
nent military supporter of the
resident, so it is reported and this
eport is given the color of truth from
he presence of Governor Swami, Of I
larvland whn has had an i1-t-ruiarr