Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-24
Radical Tactics.
rom the New York Express.l

Prom the New York Express.l
The infamous and disgraceful " spy "
system has been again inaugurated and
the tracks of high government officials,
we are told, are being constantly dogged
by creatures in the employment of the
impeachera No place is said 70 be safe
against their intrusion--no official too
high to be watched. One case in point
will suffice for an illustration. During
the last leyee Of President Johnson, an
individual approached General Lorenzo
Thomas, and. introducing himself as o
resident OF New Castle, Delaware, tho
native town Of Gen. Thomas, extended
his hand in salutation, which the General
politely accepted. Holding the General
tightly in his grip, he told him the eyes
Of Delaware were upon him, and that
they expected him to stand firm. Gen.
Thomas laughingly replied: believe
| am standing firm" at the same time
raising himself on his toes, as much as
to say, physically at least" " But,
General, what are you'going TO DO with
Stanton9" continued his newly found
friend, who still held fast TO the GeneraPs 6
hand. ave shall kick him out after a
WHILE" laughingly responded Thomas.
This seemed TO satisfy the stranger,
who now turned and unceremonious.
ly disappeared. The interview passed
from the Generals mind, and, perhaps,
would never have been thought of again,
had il not been for the afterclap which
followed, aud which not only exposes an
infamy scarcely to be credited, bat also
exposes the weakness Of the shameful
proceeding against the President. On
Friday morning last, General Thomas,
we are told, was again summoned before
the impeachment managers, and, to his
utter amazement, the first man he beheld
In their room was his New Castle friend !
He had already detailed TO the Commit
tee the reasonable I" language of the
Secretary of War ad interim, and the
General had been summoned to confront
the spy. The testimony against him
was read in bis hearing, when the Cen
eral remarked, That is all correct, ex-
cept the manner. The witness has totally
perverted my manner during the inter.
view-what said was said jocularly.
The witness here interposed, and con-
tenueQ t0uV tub Ocucfti hhuuCt "on
particularly grave and serious. e3
General Butler inquired who General
Thomas meant, when he said "we." saa
The General responded, II meant
myself, sirl" .''3I sa' in y
Butler" What did you mean by say
ing kick r. l" OFT asA ,n.ae
Answsr-"I meant only figure Of
speech" )" as'.-" ls.'N' sa.
After a considerable questioning by
Butler and others, General Thomas
said:
at will again state gentlemen, that ]
have never received any instructions
from the President how ! was to obtain
possession of the War 0ffice-and he
has never intimated to me, directly or
indirectly, the use Of any force. l may
also add, that | consider Mr.. Stanton
only private citizen, and shall not obey
any order he may make. This is my
position, and it is at your service" Il
General Thomas was then permitted
TO withdraw, as preparations had to be
made by the managers for the scene
which was soon to take place in the
Senate. Such are the means adopted to
secure the conviction Of Andrew John
son, and seize upon the executive branch
of the government.