Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-18
THE PRESIDENTAND GEN. GRANT
THE TRUTH STATED.

After giving statement of the cir
cumstauces attending the transfer of the
War Office to Stanton by Grant the Ma,
tiondl Latelligeneer proceeds to state a
history of the matter, as between the
President and Grant as follows:
Some time after the appointment of Gen.
Grant az Secretary of War dd interim, he
had conversation with the President upon
the subject of the probability ofthe refusal
of the Senate to recognize the suspension
of Mr.. Stanton, when General Grant stated
that in such event he might not wish to
identify himself with either party in the
controversy, but added, in effect /" shall
in that event either hand you my Resigns
ton as acting Secretary, or let a mandamus
be issued against me to surrender the
Office"
This conversation was renewed from
time to time, and on last Saturday, whel
Senator Towards report from the Senate
Committee on Military Affairs in favor Of
Stanton was under discussion, Gen. Grant
was pointedly asked by the President if he
had changed his mind in reference to the
course he would pursue if the Senate
should refuse to make Stanton's suspension
final, when he reiterated the pr omise pres
viously made, that be would either hand in
his resignation as Secretary of War ad
interim early enough for the President to
appoint his successor, or take any other
action he might deem requisite, or allow a
Hlandamus TO be served upon him for the
surrender of the Office; adding a promise
IN tho PraotAapf hot he oha,,iI
him on the subjece on Monday.
Monday passed without the promised
communication. On Monday evening, after
it was known that the Senate had passed
Towards resolutions refusing to recognize
the suspension of Stanton as Secretary of
War, Gen. Grant was present at the recep-
ton at the Executive Mansion, where he
greeted the President but mentioned no.
thing of any change in the determination
previously declared. The President heard
nothing whatever from Gen. Grant upon
the subject until twelve o'clock Tuesday,
two hours after Mr.. Stanton had taken pos
session of the War Office, when the follow
ing communication was delivered to him
by Major Comstock, one of Gen. Grants
staff officers
"HEADoUARTERs ARMIES UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, D. c., January a., lS63.-His
E9ceHenev Andrel1 johnson, President Of ne
United Sdtes.-SIR: l have the honor to enclose
herewith copy of official notice received by me
last evening of the action of the Senate of the
United Sta ties in the case of the suspension OF
Hon. K. Nj. Stanton, Secretary of War Accord
ing 20 the provisions of section two of IAN act
regulating the tenure of certain civil etlices,"
my functions as Secretary of War al interim
ceased from the moment of the receipt of the
within notice.
/ have the honor to be- very respectfully,
your Obedient servant,
U. s. GRANT, General"
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, SENATE OF TIE
UNITED STATES. January Is, lS6S.--ResOlved,
That having considered the evidence and
reasons given by the President in his report of
18th December, 1867. for the suspension from the
office Of Secretary of War of Edwin NJ. Stanton,
the Senate do not concur in such suspension.
JOHN w. FORNRY, Secretary.
Attest: GFo. h. DENT, A. A. g."
Soon after the delivery of this commu-
nication General Grant called in person
upon the President during the meeting Of
the Cabinet, and upon being reminded by
the President of his reiterated promise, and
especially of the promise made only on
Saturday morning last, General Grant adj
mitted the promise in the presence of men,
bers of the Cabinet.
We content ourselves at present with a
simple statement Of facts, and will reserve
all comments.
The facts carry their own comment
Grant has unquestionably sold himself
What further use his unprincipled pur-
chasers will make of him remains to be
seen; but no man, who has sold his
country, can hope for better fate than
history has accorded uniformly to indi-
vidual traitors in all countries and at
every period