Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-02-21


The Washington correspondent Of the y.
Y Times thus sums up the issue Of veracity
between Gen. Grant and the President as it
stands after the last correspondence.
He says 1t reveals the fact that Gen.
Grant did, as he claims he did, inform the
President on the previous Saturday as to
what his views Of the Tenure of Office act
We're. This the President has persistently
denied, and he stands convicted out Of the
mouths of his witnesses. In fact his case is
really weakened, and that of Gen Grant
strengthened, by the impartial letter Of Mr..
Browning and the equally adroit statement Of
Mr.. Seward. Mr. Browning proves conclu-
siyely that the President admitted at the
Cabinet meeting of that day that Gen. Grant
had informed him Of his views as to what
should be his line of duty under the Tenure
Of Office act, and that to hold on as the Pres
ident desired would be violation Of that act
This, Mr.. Browning SAYS. Mr.. johnson stated
in the Cabinet meeting. when he proceeded
to give history ofwhat had occurred and it is
just what Mr. johnson has persistently denied
and studiously concealed. Omit turns the whole
question as to whether Mr., johnson had no.
tee Of how Gen. Grant would act when the
Senate re-instated Mr. Stanton, really the
only question Of consequence in the whole
controversy. Mr.. Browning proves that the
President admitted, in presence of the Cabi-
net, that he did have such notice. If the
President can afford to rest satisfied with this
last yindication, Gen. Grant certainly can.
The latter's friends are by far in the best
temper at the result
Gen. Grant on Tuesday forwarded to the
President brief reply to that part of the
latter's letter charging him with insubordin-
alton. As VIII be seen Gen. Grant denies the
charge, and abundantly proves the reasons he
had for recognizing the orders of the Secre-
tary Of War, so long as his authority was not
directly countermanded, since the Secretary
Of War can do nothing regarding the move
ment Of troops or the management Of the
army, except by the power he derives from
the President as Commander-in-C Chief The
correspondence is now considered at an end.
A QUESTION FOR FENIANs.-The New York
Evening Post in a recent article has started a
new question of Importance to the Fenians,
The Posi- is decidedly in favor of giving nat
uralized citizens the same protection given to
the natiye-bOrn, and fully recognizes the
right of the citizens Of any country to change
their allegiance so that they shall owe no
duties to their former government, while that
government is relieved from any obligation to
protect them, or to give them any of the
rights of citizenship
But-the Post inquires-'' what of the
Irish Republic? Is that nationality? Dc
our fellow citizens of Irish descent in thi:
country, who have taken upon themselves
the obligations Of that republic, and have
contributed their means to its support, anC
have elected its officers, head-centres, con
gresses, presidents, &C., and have been en-
rolled in its armies, and fought its battles
still remain American citizens, or have the,
changed their allegiance to the Irish Repub
lie? They cannot be citizens Of both gov
ernments at the same time-to which do the,
ows allegiance?''
This inquiry is not only important to tn
Fenians, but it is important in determining
] the course Of our government in respect t