The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-12
FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-The Presi-
dent is extremely irritated at the pub
lication of the Grant correspondence,
and has not allowed Gen'l. Grant to
have the last word, but to-day replied
to his letter in very sharp and bitter
language, reminding him, it is said,l
that he Grant is subordinate to the
President, and that it ill-becomes him
to use such language as that contained
in his last letter to the Commander-in-
chief of the army. The President
further intimates that he will not sub
nit to such language again. 1t is
probable that Congress will call for
this letter.
Bnt few members were aware of the
nature ofthe correspondence, and its eff
ioct on the House was decidedly fresh
and entertaining. The Democrats were
completely nonplussed at its character,
and were alternately delighted and
chagrined as they listened to the Presi-
dents letter and then TO Grants
mastery rejoinder. The reading of
General Grants letter was several
times interrupted by involuntary, ap-
plause, and the whole was listened to
with the most earnest attention. At
the close the enthusiasm Of some mem
rers broke out inpropositions for votes
of thanks, &C., but the matter was
quietly referred to the Reconstruction
Committee.
As to the origin of this correspon-
lcncc, it is proper to state that so far as
Gen. Grant is concerned, he was forced
into it by the repeated attacks on his
character as manand n soldier, inspir-
ed by the President and spread broad
cast through his partisan organs.
There was no othcrway for Gen. Grant
to vindicatc himself, except by com
pclling the President to putt in writing,
over his own signature, the charges he
was so free to make through others.
This done, Gen. Grant could meet
them and refute them. 1t is noticeable
that the Pr, sidcnt was slow to comply
with Gen. Grants request to reduce
his orders to writing but having
gone so far, Mr.. johnson could not
well do less than to comply, even with
a bad grace.
The impeachment Of Andrew John
son which was killed through political
cowardicc, in the House of Rcprescn-
tatives, last December, is again reviv-
ed, as an incident of the Grant John
sou correspondence. Gen. Grant and
Mr.. johnson may settle the question Of
vcracity between them as best they can,
but Congress addresses itselfto another
point, and sees in these various letters
something more than the rctort cour-
tcous and the lie direct. The Recon
struction Committee, to which body
the correspondence was yesterday re-
lerrcd, was in session to-day, and was
engaged in the consideration Of this
important topic. All the members
were present except Brooks and Beck,
the only two Democrats on the Com
mittee.
The matter was debated ccoly and
and all the members pres
ent were unanimously Of the opinion
thlt the action of Mr.. johnson, in or
dering Gen. Grant verbally and in
writing, 10 refuse obedience to the Or
ders of the Secretary Of War, was di-
rect violation OF the laws of Congress
and betrayed a determination on his
part 10 obstruct as far as in him lay,
the execution of the laws. After
long discussion on this point, it was
resolved to appoint subcommittee
to investigate the matter, and if they
find that the President has violated
the law, to prefer articles of impeach-
ment against him, and to report at the
next meeting Of the committee. 1t is
believed, on good grounds, that con-
spiracy exists to defeat the operations
Of the law, and the subcommittee are
empowered to investigate the conduct
of ftwo or three suspected members of
the Cabinet, and if necessary to impeach
them also. The subcommittee is
Composed of Nfcssrs. Bingham and
Boutwell,, and l may add that the
members Of the committee who were
opposed to impeachment last year are
in favor of it now, and are the prime
movers in these proceedings. I'M
peachment has been determined on,
and Mr.. johnson will be no longer
suffered to obstruct the law.
Congressman say that the best in
terests of the country demand his re-
moval that ifnot gully Of an overt
act he is an instigator to a violation OF
the law, and must take the consequent
ces the same as any other citizen. 9th
er facts, too, in the possession Of the
committee go to show that johnson
obstructs the law in certain of the
Southern States. There seems to be
little doubt in the. committee tina,
johnson has at last committed himself
and is completely in the power o.
Congress. The subcommittee is il
session tonight, and the report will b.