National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-02-28
From Washington.

HC 1fcStucNt IWWtHtNt- -i''tHt "
Gen. Thomas for Violation Of the
GIRL Tenure Lar.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 81, 1868.
The much talked of political cri-
sis is at hand, and it will soon be
seen whether an accidental" Presi
dent can deiiantly set aside the law
of the land, framed by the Senators
and Representatives, of the people
in Congress assembled. Montgome
ry Blair minated in New York
some ten DAYS ago that before last
Saturday Stanton would have to
leave the War Department, but
whc2 Saturday had passed, and no
removal had been made, the threat
was regarded rs an expressed wish.
Lieut.. Gen. Sherman may have
had some mixing of the intended
c0Wp d'ctdt, which made him SO pos
itiycly declare that he would not
carry ont Mr.. Johuson'S plans.
Many think that had lie accepted
the Breyct rank of General, and
been confirmed by the Senate, he
would soon have been ordered to
preside at a Court Martial for the
trial OF Gen. Grant on charges Of in.
subordinati)n. Gen. Grant an d
Lieut.. Gen. Sherman having declin-
ed to pull the policy chestnuts cut
of the fire, Mr.. Johnson changed
his haSe and ordered Maj. Gen. Lo-
renZo Thomas to resume his duties
as Adjutant General. He had not
performed these duties since 1862.
when Mr.. Stanton took a dislike to
him, and has since kept him on spc.
cial duty. During the past two
years he has heen going the grand
rounds OF the military grayeyards
i'll different sections of the country.
This morning Gen. Thomas receiv-
cd an order from President Johnson.
about T. o'clock, directing him to
deliver an inclosed letter to Mr..
Stanton, and then TO act as Secrc-
tary of War al interim. Gen.
Thomas accordingly went up stairs
to Mr.. Stau,on's Office and delivered
the Presidents letter. which Mr.
Stanton ut once read. Ii removed
him from office as Secretary of War
and directed him to give up to Gen
Thomas all books, papers, record.
aud other public property IN hi,
charge. Mr.. Stanton said that he
would think the matter over and
give an answer.
Gen. Thomas then returned to the
Adjutant Generals office and wrote
a letter to the President, asSurin,
him that he had delivered the dis
miSsal. and that hc accepted the OF
ice Of Secretary Of War dd interim
l He then lett the War Department
i telling the clerks that he shoult
[ come Oh Saturday morning to as
:. sumo charge OF the Department
l Mr.. Stanton at once wrote a bric
letter to Speaker Coiiax, transmit
/ ting the letter which he had recelv
ed from the President. He ais
0 sent word to several of the lcadin,
}. Republican Congressman that Ii
1 should hold on 60 his place unies
i they backed ont and forced him t
u retire.
a When Mr.. Stantou's communities
ton was read to the House of Repre-
c sentatiyes there was profound 81
"A lence, for no one appeared to exact
t ~ understand il. On the motion q
:, Mr.. Washburne it was referred T.
= the Committee on Reconstruction
t and the lmpeachcrs were not lon,
/ in discovering that the Prcsidcn
G had played into their hands by vic
% lating the provisions Of the Venur
h Of Office Bill. 1t had been decide,
$ not to transact any business on Sat
t uriay, but the order was rescinded
Il members calling ont, when the vot
!. was being taken by count, "Stan
z up impeaclers!' No Republican
e remained sitting.
e Later in the day Mr.. Covode il
t. troduced formal resolution of i'm
y peachment, which was also referee
IS TO the Committee on Reconstru,
& ton. That committee will meet t,
4, morrow morning at ten o'clock. an
u some belcvc that the resolution ,
n impeachment will be reported TO til
+. House tomorrow. If SO, there wi
r. be a majority in favor of passing i
'e FOR il is evident that Congress lnu,
- fight il out on this line or surrendC
III at discretion 10 the President
H. Meanwhile the President ha
fS sent message to the Senate not
r, fling them what lie had done.
IS. created a decided sensation, and til
e. debate on Reconstruction was al
~ ruptly terminated by u motion frol
as Gov. Morton to go into EXccuiy
re session. Senator's Cameron, Cate
'p Cameron and Thaycr went at ono
IL to confer with Mr.. stanton and Gel
Grant Senators Howard, Wilson
ot and others, wrote to Mr.. Stanton
w hold on at all hazards, and Senat,
III Sumner scut him the following cp
u grammatical cpistle:
no "SENATE CHAMBER, 21st Feb, &C
No Stick.
ii Ever sincerely yours,
,e CHARLES SUMNER"
n Hon. IL. NJ. Stanton.
Tp There were several proposition
n. introduced--onc of which was thu
@ the Senate should return tho me
ri sage TO the President, with an il
10 dorsement that Mr. Stanton ooul