The New York herald., 1868-02-22

"a aSsoiu w tpe uppointmehs vi oihoeIs ny tho
President Is sufficiently explicit to preclude al
doubt Is to the mode of procedure. He
thinks the course adopted has been extreme
ly irregular and myst6ed in sngu-
larity Of conduct which largely magnifies the
effect likely to ensue. He considers that the Pre-
sident has perfect right to appoint. but that it
should have been done In more regular manner;
that is, that successor to Mr.. Stanton should
have been sent to the Senate, that body being
in session, and should have received their
action before further steps were ia.
ken; and In event Of their refusal
the responsibility Of continuing the existing novel
and disorganzed condition Of the executive branch
Of the government would be at their door.
Mr.. Boutwell,, who generally takes the extreme
view of the issues between the now antsgonistic
branches Of the government. does not seem TO
display any change Of sentiment characteristic
Of that which he has always exhibited when action
in relation to the Executive Is the subject of con-
troversy.
not governed by any settled convictions of policy.
will. it appears, be governed more by the argu
ments produced on the one side or the other. OF
the influences brought to bear, than by any indie
pendent action. In regard to Messrs. Beck, Of
Kentucky, and Brooks. Of New York, both
democrats, their course can be but one way. Out.
side Of the Committee on Reconstruction. where
the whole disposition Of the question lies, there is
displayed unique diversity of views.
A constituency not over enthusiastic on the side
Of radicalism looms up before the minds of many.
creating prof,ison Of doubts and q disposition to
back down, which are not encouraging to those who
are not thus impeded, but still doubling as to which
fessions Of impeachment made, but in the end these
are neatly qualified by ifs and other conditional
expressions which indicate uncertainty. It Is
intended to press action ct once. and tomorrow
is expected to solve the problem. The impeach-
ers are urging vigorously prompt action 10 the
hopes Of carrying their point before the doubt in
The motion resembling the order Of tho House of
Representatives that the session tomorrow be
devoted to speeches only clearly shows the temper
which pervades tho mind Of tho majority.
At tho War Department tho excitement is. if
anything. still greater than at any other point OF
the city tonight. To be sure. there are no crowds
h~- 80; ~.
favored with tho least scrap that anybody may
have picked up anywhere, but tho building is in
blaze Of light as II the power entrenched within Is
having general Illumination In honor of the stir
ring events that arc in progress. Carriages
are constantly arriving and departing bring.
ing and carrying away excited members
ground has tho appearance Of . large reception.
At the door Of tho department three determined
doorkeepers are posted, with peremptory orders
to allow no person to enter Its august portals until
he rejcices in the magic title Of member Of Con.
gress. Members Of the press linger about the
door earnestly endeavoring to catch aeeting
glimpse OF the movements within. or to overhear
a word now and then that might convey somo idea
OF the solemn proceedings going for ward in the
council room.
The cause Of oil this excitement is found 10 the
fact that Stanton still holds possession OF tho War
Department He had informed General Thomas,
when that officer presented . him the Presidents
order removing him and appointing Thomas Secre.
tary Of War ad interim, that che would think the
matter over" and acquaint him with his decision
So says one statement Of the affair. Ths great
man IL now engaged In thinking the mat
ter over. He has invited his friends
70 como and help him think. The
process Of thinking the matter over" he
suspects, will be very long and tedious; for he
has provided himself with all the necessary
materials for . prolonged b;vouac on the
floor Of the much coveted War once. Mr.,
Stanton holds possession Of tho department,
and cannot be elected without the exercise Of
force and, from oil appearances, that force
will be stubbornly resisted.
General Thomas having performed the duties
imposed upon him by the order Of the President
in notifying Mr.. Stanton Of tho slight change Of
affairs, calmly set about arranging the details Of
his business without any apparent disturbance Of
mind az to what might be the consequences OF his
rashness in accepting from the President an order
to depose the high and mighty Stanton. Feeling
thoroughly persuaded that his authority
as Secretary OF War for the time being
was undeniAble, General Thomas even Issued
an order. He directed that Tomorrow, being
the anniversary Of washington's birthday,
no business would be transacted in the bureaus OF
the War Department and the department would