New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-16
RU,foRED MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT

PU,fORED MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.
THE PRESIDENT RECOMMENDS GEN. sRANr 10
CONGRESS FOR SPECIAL RECOuNIiiON We MO
PATRIOTIC COURSE IN sURRENDEklNG The
WAR DEPARTMENT IN oBEDiENoh III Ihh
SENATE. -,
A rumor is on foot that the fresideht VIII
send the following message to Congress COIL
mending the recent course OF Oen' urano iii
subordinating the military power Oh the COM
mander-in- Chief to the civil power OF Congress
II bears q strong resemblance to the message
sent in by him in behalf of Gen. Hancock'
GENTLEMEN oF1THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES An official copy OF the resolution
of the Senate nonconcurrng in the ORDER Iro
this presence, suspendng Edwin M. stanton rom
exercising the duties of the Office of Secretary OF
War; has reached me, through the regular channeis
of the War Department. and hereby recommend
to Congress the action which seems 10 me proper I'LL
view of the circumstances.
II will be perceived that Gen. Grant has made
the law the rule of his conduct; that he will uphold
the law-makng power and the civil authorities In
the performance of their proper duties and that no
will use his military power only to preserve the peace
and enforce the law He declares by his acts silently
but in the most emphatic manner, that the sacreu
right of the Senate to share in the responsibility OF
all appointments to aud removals from ONCE, as
affirmed by the Constitution and reaffirmed IN the
Tenure of Civil Office BILL shall not be crushed out
or trodden under foot He goes further and, in one
comprehensive act the surrender of his Office TO the
Joint appontee of the President and the Senate, no
asserts that the principles of American liberty are
still the inheritance Of this people, and ever should
| be.
When q great soldier with unrestricted power IN
his hands voluntarily foregoes the chance OF graty
| mao
duty of building up the liberties and strengthening
the laws of his country, he presents an example Of
tho highest public virtue that human nature is
capable of practicing The strongest claim OF wash
npon TO be first in war; first in peace and first in
the hearts of his countrymen is foundedon the great
fact that in all his illustrious career he scrupu-
ously abstained from violating the legal and
| constitutional rights of the law-maklng
! poyer When no surrendered his commission
to Congress. the President of that body spoke
his highest praise in saying that he had always re-
garded the rights OF the civil authorities through
| all dangers and disasters" WHEREVER POWER
| ABOVE THE LAW CoURTED HIS ACCEPTANCE, HE
CALMLY PUT THE TEMPTATION ASIDE. By such mag
unanimous acts of forbearance he won the universal
admiration Of mankind, and left name winch mas
| no rival in the history of the world.
am far from saying that Gen. Grant is the only
officer of the American Army who is influenced by
the example of Washington. Doubtless, thousands
of them are faithfully devoted to the principles for
which the men of the Revolution laid down their
lives But the distinguished honor belongs to him Oh
being the only officer in high command at the Capt.
toll who has carried these noble sentiments into
practical effect by setting an example Of Difference
and obedience to the legislative power.
| respectfully suggest to Congress that some pub
lie recognition Of Gen. Grants patriotic conduct is
due-if not TO him. to the friends of law and justice
throughout the country. OF such an act as his at
such time il is but fitting that the dignity should
be indicated and the virtue proclaimed so that Its
value as an example may not be lost TO the nation
| ANDREW JOHNSON.
| Hnshinahon. d. O.. Jan. 10. 1853.