St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-02-14

removal WAS the fear that some one
would be appointed in his stead who
would by opposition to the laws relating
to the restoration Of the Southern States
to their proper relation TO tine Govern
ment, embarrass the army Ill the perform
ance of the duties especially imposed up
on it by the laws. and that it was to
prevent such an appointment that l ac-
cepted the appointment of Secretary ct
War I'D interim. and not for the purpose
of enabling you to get rid of Mr.. Stanton
by my Withholding it from him in oppoSl-
ton to the law, or, not doing SO myself,
surrender to one, who, as the statement
and assumptions i'll your communication
plainly indicate, was sought for that
purpose and ii was to avoid tins dan
ger as well us to relieve you from tn
personal embarrassment i'll Whlc! Mr..
Stanton's reinstatement would place you,
that | urged the appointment OF Gov.
Cox, believing that it would be agreed
Die to you, and also to Mr.. Stanton, and
satisfied that it was the good OF the coun-
try and not the office the latter desired
On the 18th ult.. in the presence oil
Gen. Sherman, | stated to you that !
thought Mr. Stanton would resign, bui
did not say | would advise him to do so.
On the 18th | did agree with Gen Shcr-
man to 90 and advise him to that course,
and on the l9th had an interview alone
with Mr. Stanton, which led me to the
conclusion that any advice to him OF this
kind would be useless, and 80 informed
/ Gen. Sherman. Before consented 10
advise Mr. Stanton 10 resign | uidcr-
stood from him, in Il conversation on the
subject Immediately after his rcinstatc-
ment. that it was his opinion that the
act Of Congress entitled AN Act Ten
porarily to Supply Vacancies in the EX-
ycutive Department in Certain Cases.
/ approved Feb. %. 1868, WAS repealed
/ by subsequent legislation, which niatcri-
ally influenced nay action. Previous to
/ this time had 10 doubt that the law oi
/ 1868 WAS still in force. and notwiih-
standing my action, fuller examination
OF the law leaves Il question in my mind
whether it Is or is not repeated Thu
being the case could not now advise hi>
resignation lest the same danger ap-
pretended from his first removal might
follow.
The course vou would have it under
stood | agreed to pursue, was i'll viola
lion OF law. and that without orders from
you, while The coulse did pur,uc, AN,
which | never doubted you fully under.
stool, wa, in accordance with law, aul
not in di>obcLcncc to any orders iron
INV superior. And now. Mr.. President
when my honor IL Il soldier and intCgri
~ as a man have been 80 Violently a.
sailed, pardon me Tor saving that c..l
bat r,-ard lhj, whole matter from begin
IA. = TO cnl Is an attempt 10 involve IN,
in the resistance to law Tor which vo.
hesitate to Resume the Responsibility il
order thus To destroy my character h.
fore Ike country. am. in 4 measure
confirmed in This conclusion ly year lat.
orders directing me To- dj~ni,ry ORDER,
from the Secretary OF War. my supelio,
AMI ,our subordinate. without having
couutyrmandrd Iii, authority With ~
>uraucc. Mr.. President, that nothing -.
ihan Niui!ca;ion ot my personal hpnot
AMI character coulI have induced Thu
correspondence on my pay ! hav. III.
honor +" he, very respectfully.
Your ohcdicmt servant.
/. :. GE>>r, G neral
The country viii >ay OF NJ. Johnson
a, til" spectators in the Roman Nmpl
theatres u-cl to. when Z, Gladiator IT,
ccivcd AN obvious doaIh-Llow in fin,
'.,"l.t - he has il. This square
>,rai @ht-torvard, obviously truthful
statement of Gen. Grant OF his action,
and the pa,riotic motives thereto, l. {;
>mock-down blow tor Andy, who haI
better let Gen. Grant alone.
The cti,c; "t the correspondence III IT,,
IIousc i thus described
Its effect on th- House was decidedly
fresh and entertaining. The Democrats
.rrrc completely nonp!us~el at is char
actor. and were alternately delighted and
cha-rincd rs they listened To thu Pref
dents letter and then 10 Grant mastery
. roi,imlcr. The reading OF Gen. Grant
f I.ff.r. WIS al time. iutprruni,1 -