Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-01-03
GENERAL GRANTS PRIVATE LETTER,

The Speaker laid before the House COM
munication from General Grant, inclosing A
relating to the removal of Mr..
Stanton as Secretary of War, and also TO the
removal Of Generals Sheridan aud Sickles.--
Nearly all the correspondence has heretofore.
been published, but the following Is the pri-
vate letter to the President from General
Grant about which so much curiosity is ex-
pressed.
Privatel
"HEADouARrERs ARMIES UNITED STATES.
WASHINGTON. d. o., August, IL. 1867.
To his his Excellency Andrew johnson
President OF the United States.
''Sir--l take the liberty of addressing you
privately on the subject Of the conversation
we had this morning, feeling, as | do, the
great danger to the welfare Of the country
should you carry out the designs then ex-
pressed.
"First-0n the displacement of the Secre-
tary Of War. His removal can not be effcc-
ted against his will, without the consent of
the Senate. 1t was but short time since
the United States Senate was In session, and
why not then have asked for his removal, IL
II was decided on? II certainly was the in
tention Of the legislative branch of the Gov
ernment TO place Cabinet ministers beyond
the reach OF executive removal; and 1t Is
pretty well understood, 30 far as Cabinet
ministers are affected by the terms of Teu-
ure OF Office Bill, that it was intended to
protect the Secretary of War, whom the
country felt great confidence in. The mean
Ing of the law may be explained away by an
astute lawyer; but common sense, and the
views Of loyal people, will give to il the Of.
feet intended by its framsrs.
"Second---0n the subject of the removal
of the very able commander Of the Fifth Mil
iiary District let me ask you to consider the
effect 1t would have upon the public. He is
universally and deseryedly beloved by the
people who sustained this Government
throughout its trial, and feared by those who
could still be enemies of the Government. .---
1t falls TO the lot Of but few men TO do as
much against the enemy as Gen. .al Sheridan
did dnring the rebellion, and II is within the
scope OF the ability of but few 10 this or auy
other country 10 do what he has. His civil Nd
ministration has given equal satisfaction. lie
hes had difficulties to contend with which no
other district commander has encountered. 80
Almost, II not quite, from the day he was
appointed district commander TO the present
time, the press has given out that he was To
he removed; that the Administration was
dissatisfied with him. This has emboldened
the opponents Of the laws of Congress with
in his command to oppose him In every way
In their power, aud has rendered necessary
measures which otherwise might have been
unnecessary.
"ln conclusion, allow me to say, as
friend, desiring peace and quiet and the wei.
fare OF the whole country, North and South,
that Il Is my opinion that the loyal people ol
this country---l mean those who supported
the country during the great rebellion will
not quietly submit 10 see the men Of all
others whom they have expressed their con-
fidence in, removed.
VI would not have taken the liberty Of ad.
dressing the Executive Of the United States
thus, but for the conversation on the subjec,
alluded to In this letter and from sense ol
duty. Feeling that am rgh, Ia this mat
ter, ] am, with great respect, your obedien,
servant,
"U. s. GRANT, General.