The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-25
SCENES AT THE WAR OFFICE.
REVIVAL OF IMPEAcH4ENT IN CONGRESS
P1N1oNs OF THE PRESS.

We received last evening our Northern file
of the latest dates, including New York paper
of Saturday and Washington papers OF Saturda.
afternoon They are filled with particulars
what they call the Presidents coup delat ant
the events to which it gave rise. The New
York Heralds correspondent, on Friday even
ing, while the excitement was at its Height, re
paired to the White House and obtained q hal
hours interview with MIR. Johnson. OF course
he sends the Herald full account Of
WHAT THE PRESIDENT THINKS AND SAYS ABOUT
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
He saws that he found his Excellency moi
stricken with fear or trembling, but smiling
and radiant, in better humor and spirits than
for many months. We quote:
After the customary salutations, YOUR cores
pondent remarked that the country was some.
what taken by surprise by the sudden removal
of Stanton and the appointment OF Thomas as
Secretary dd aaater7na.
The President smiled and inquired, "Well,
what do the people say2 l suppose they, are
surprised; but have only done what had de-
termined upon long ago."
Correspondent removal, then, is not in
pursuance OF recent QeIeInulllaliou oL your
part, MIR. President?"
Tha President -''Not at all, sir. The people
seem to have mistaken my course altogether
in this matter. l never had but one deter
mination OH the subject, but 1 have acted
carefully, prudently and moderately. Per-
haps I have been too slow about removing
Mr.. Stanton, but not because feared the
bugbcar of impeachment, or that dreaded
anything that Congress might do. Moth
T. .l~ kNI nn,11d OF 1nf
out would intimidate or surprise me. l
know they are capable of doing any
thing. I delayed final action solely to let
the country see and understand the position
of MIR. 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.
tional power which we have to suspend or re-
move meHfber of our Cabinet. The act OF
suspension was also not in conflict with the
Tenure OF Office bill, though we did not there
fore recognize it's constitutlonahty. AS a mat
ter OF courtesy We sent reasons for our action
to the Senate. That body pretended not TO
consider those reasons sufficient, and assumed
to reinstate Mr.. Stanton In office. Woll, We
still waited, hoping MIR. Stanton would see the
propriety of rcsIg ulng himself. General Sher-
man and General Grant offered to go to STAN
ton and advise him to resign. After waiting
reasonable trmc we thought proper to-day t.
order the removal of Mr.. Stanton and to ap-
point General thomas Secretary OF War ad nj
Term. This is the whole story"
Correspondent-"Was this step discussed III
the Cabinet council, Mr.. President2"
The Presidcnt-"No, sir; not precisely. a
general policy was agreed upon some time ago,
and the removal to-day is III accordance til re-
with. have just received copy of tho reso-
luton adopted by the Senate tonight in exc
cutive session." The President here read the
resolution printed elsewhere.
Correspondent-''Wh will tho Senate do,
Mr. President, under that resolution, II you
still INSIST upon bavng General Thomas act us
Secretary dd ,nterlm?"
The President-"I don't see that they can do
ANYTHING. The resolution itself is the end OF
the matter, SO far as the Senate is concerned.
unless the House presents articles Of lmpcach-
mont and the Senate undertakes TO try The LIZ
ecutive, and resolves itself into high court OF
Correspondent-"D you think Congress
really will attempt impeachment, Mr. Prcsl-
dcnt?"
The President-"I don't know, indeed; nor
do care. 1t would make very little difference
to me-"
Your correspondent here asked what the
President would do in the event OF the l,assase
of MIR. Edmunds' bill of suspension, 10 which
the President answered, substantially, SIR. L
WOULD NOT OBEY THE LAW IF THEY ATTEMPTED
TO SUSPEND ME. The law is clearly unconstltu-
tional. There Is point against II which you
gentlemen Of the press seem 10 nave ai;o-
gether overlooked. The bill of Senator I'd
munds to suspend pending trial would un-
doubtedly be nm e1 post taclo law so far rs my
case would be concerned. Such. law is de-
clared unconstitutional by the very language OF
the constitution itself. My offence, We will
suppose is the removal of Mr.. Stanton. That
is an accomplished fact. Any law prescribing
q penalty for that act would be er post Jdcio,
and, therefore, unconstitutional. How, there
fore, can Congress legally pass bill OF such
character?"
Your correspondent remarked that certain
Radicals NIGH argue that persistence in Keep
ing MIR. Stanton out OF Office, after the Senate
declaring his removal contrary to law, and
after the proposed passage of Mr. Edmunds'
suspension bill, would be bringing tho ques-
ton out of the operation oil nm &C post Jdcto
law.
Tho President replied that that could not
alter the case, as the offence charged would
still be the removal OF Mr. Stantop--an act per-
formed before the passage of the proposed
law.
In reply to an inquiry as TO whether the
President had seen General Thomas since tho
interview of the latter with Alr. Stanton the
President said yes, and proceeded to state
WnnC, uCCOIulllS W LILO iiiuALAN',N -'>
red at that interview. General thomas" he
said, ''watcd upon Mr.. Stanton, and showed to
him the Presidents order removing alr. Stan-
ton and appointing HIM General Thoma } as
Secretary of War ad internl. Mr.. Stanton
read the order, and asked Thomas whether he
would be obliged to vacate the office forthwith.
Thomas said bis instructions we're to assume
control Immediately. Stanton then said nc
would like to have time to arrange and take
away his papers and documents; TO which
Thomas replied that q considerable tlmo would
be allowed for such purpose. No time, how
ever, was fixed tor MIR. Stanton to finish his
arrangements"
yersation with the President, but the chief
points have been given. The President re-
peatedly expressed his utter indifference as to
what course Congress might adopt OH the I'M
peachment question; and in answer to part
ing remark of your correspondent that the
President might sleep soundly IN spite OF the
threatened impeachment he said, laughing, II
don't think my slumbers will be much disturb.
ed by that fear. I shall sleep soundly aud
awake refreshed"
HOW FRIDAY NIGHT WAS SPENT AT THE WAR Of
FIcE-srANToN IN STATE OF SIEGE.
The War Department from dark on Friday
night till dawn Oh Saturday. Was tho scene 0!
anxious consultations anon, Stanton and ri;
partisans.
At one o'clock Saturday morning Hon. Davit
TX. Cartier, Chiet Justice o. tho uprcme Cour
Of tine District of Columbia, ana tool OF Stan
toms, visited tho War Department. hbou
four O'clock Alr. Stanton and Senator Tliaycl
cnsconscd themselves Oil two lounges, to oh
| toin If poesibie, little sleep. Not long ai.cl