The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-27

Nxw YORK. Feb. q. 1883.

Nxw YoRK, Feb. %, 1868.
The Hersld's Washington correspondent had an
interview with President johnson late last night
relative to the removal of Secretary stanton. The
correspondent remarked that the country was
surprised at bis action. The president smiled and
inquired "WelI, what do the people say sup
pose they are surprised, but have eniy done
what determined upon long ago.
Correspondent-Ihe removal then IL not In
pursuance OF recent dissemination on your
The Presisent-Not at all, SIR. The people seem
TO have mistaken my course altogether ia this mat
ter. never had but one determination on the
subject, but have acted carefully, prudently and
moderately. Perhaps have been too slow about
removing Mr.. Stanton. but not becauyo feared
the bugbesT of impeachment, or anything that
Congress might do. Nothing that that body could
attempt or carry out would ntimidate me or sur
prise me, because know they are capable OF do
ing anything. delayed final action solely to let
the country see and understand the position Of
Mr.. Stanton. We first intimated to him that we
would like him to Withdraw from our privy
council. he did not take the hint. We then
requested him to resign. he refused. We
then suspended him under the constitu.
tional power which we have TO suspend or
remove q member Of the cabinet. The act OF
Suspension was also not 10 conflict with the tenure
of Office bill, though we did not therefore recog
nize its constutionaity. As q matter Of courtesy
sent reasons for our action to the Senate. That
body pretended not to consider those reasons
Office. Well, we still waited, hoping Mr.. Stanton
would see the propriety of resiguing himself Gen.
Sherman and Gen. Grant offered TO 60 70 Stanton
and advise HIM to resign. After waiting reason
able time, We thought proper to day TO order the
removal Of Stanton and the appointment Of
Thomas as secretary OF war ad interins This is
corrsspondent-was this step discussed in the
csbinet council. Mr.. PRESIDENT 81
The President--No, sir, not precisely. gen.
eral policy was agreed upon some time ago. and
the removal to-day is in accordance there with. I
have just received copy of the resolution
adopted by the Senate tonight IN executive SEES
sion. 1.-THE president then read the resolution. 4.
Correspondent What will the Senate do. AFR.
President under that resolution II you shall insist
upon having Gen. Thomas act as secretary dd
interim. -. .lf- = .si,.7 Z. q.
The President don't see that they can do any
thing The resolution itself is the end Of the
matter 50 far as the Senate Is concerned, unless
the House presents articles Of impeachment and
the Senate undertakes to try the executive, and
resolves itself into high court Of impeachment.
Correspopdent-Do you think Congress really
will attempt Impeachment, Mr.. President,
The Presdent-I don't know indeed, nor do
care. 1t would make very little difference to me.
The correspondent here asked-What will the
president do in the event OF the passage Of the
Edmunds bill Of suspension i.
The president answered substantialy-Si
would not obey the law Il they attempted to sus-
pend me- The law Is clearly unconstitutional. There
press seem to have altogether overoe ked. The
bill Of Senator.Edmunds to suspend trial would
undoubtedly be an er post facto law, 80 far as
my case would be concerned. Such Law Is de-
clared unconstitutional BY the very language of
the Constitution itself. NY offense, we Will sup
pose, il the removal Of Mr.. Stanton. That Is an
accomplished fact Any Law prescribing pen.
atty fer that act would be ca post fdcfo, and,
Congress legally pass bill OF such g character
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES radicals might argue