Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-04-30

How Andrew johnson tried TO get
Gen. Grant out OF the Country.
A noticeable article in the May At
lantic, in illustration of the intellectual
character of Gen. Grant, presents num-
Der of "reminiscences and anecdotes of
its hero, that have never before been in
print, and among them the following:
Andrew johnson attempted two years
ago to drive Grant out of the country.
1t had become apparent that the Gener-
al of the army was not follower OF the
President in his rcac:ionary course. Mr.
johnson had sought to compel Grant to
order troops into Maryland Immediately
before State election; but Grants tact
and skill had defeated his purpose. Then
johnson determined to rid himself of his
powerful subordinate. He foolishly hoped
to find Sherman more pliable than Grant
and he knew that if Grant were sent out
of the country, Sherman would COM
mand the army. Congress was about to
meet, and it was necessary to act prompt
ly, for emergencies might arise in which
the use of troops would be all important
to the Presidents schemes. So Grant,
who, from the close of the rebellion, had
been constantly urging the President to
take more decided steps to insure the
evacuation of Mexico by the French
troops, was approached with what it was
hoped would prove tempting bait. The
! President first sounded him in CONVERSE
ton, saying he wished Grant to 60 on a
diplomatic mission to Mexico, in conjunc-
ton with the minister to that country
Grant at once detected the object of the
President, and declined the mission
johnson, however insisted, and Grant
still declined, the second time in writing,
although the President had only address
ed him orally. After this, Grant was
summoned to the cabinet meeting, when
his instructions, already printed, were
read aloud by the Secretary of State
without any reference to Grants previous
refusal. He at once, in the presence of
the entire cabinet, declared his unwill-
ingness to leave the country on such an
errand. johnson was reused by this
persistent opposition to his wish, and alb
ruptly asked the Attorney General
. whether there was any reason why Grant.
should not obey,-whether the General
of the army could not be employed upon
a diplomatic service. Grant at once
started to his feet, and exclaimed; g Mr.
President, | can answer that question
without appealing to the Attorney Gen
f eral am an American citizen, have
been guilty of no treason or other crime,
! and am eligible to any civil Office to
S which any other American is eligible
But this is a purely civil duty to which
!, you would assign me, and | cannot be
E compelled to undertake it. Any legal
S military order you give me | will obey
but this is civil, not military, and de
cline the duty. No power on earth car
force me from it." The plotters were
: electrified and made no ans wer, ano
: Grant, instead of resuming his seat
is quilted the room. He was not sent tc
y Mexico. On this occasion he spoke flu
y emily enough, and none can Tail to per
:, ceive the cogency of his utter ance or tn,
l. terseness of his expression. Vet he mus
d have been unprepared. He could no
st have foreseen the exigency. But tn
ID same quality that so suddenly prompte'
" the assaults ON Petersburg and Donelson
to inspired the language and the argumen
lie that bafled the President.