New-York tribune., 1871-12-15

nothing which will be longer ana moto eAe
fully remembered, than this rssolute ana
COURAGEOUS vindication Of the law against ex-
ecutive and military irregularities.
After the killing Of Col. Grosvenor and the
CONSEQUENT reaction in the public mind againsu
military rule Gen. Sheridan, who by the I'M
becile subseryienoe of the Mayor of Chicago
had been invested with dictatorial powers,
psve I'D the control of the city to the civil
authorities. To use his own language, AS
" soou as the excitement subsidized, the old City
Government desired to again take charge,
" and of course sent tho troops home" But
few days afterward few private citizens
of influence and prominence embracing sew
eral journalists, who were by this act estopped
from candidly reviewing the controversy which
| grew out of the thonghtless act) requested
| Gen Sheridan "to cause four companies OF
| United States Infantry to be stationed at or
near" Chicago; and this request the General
promptly acceded to by asking, on the
Goth, the necessary orders from the Ad-
jutant- General Of the Army. On the
31st of October, Gen. Sherman, with that
aunty disregard of law which seems to per-
wade our highest military regions, sent this in
companies Of the 9Th Infantry are ordered to
Chicago to act as police under your letter OF
"the 9oth." The troops were sent as directed,
and Gov. Palmer first heard of this new occu-
patton of the principal city Of the State by
paragraph in o newspaper He then, on the
| Sd of November, addressed q letter to the Pres
| ident, stating the rumors he had heard of the
sending of troops to Chicago, and adding that
no indications of the existen::c or my dangers
calling for their employment had reached him
| from any quarter. lie adds, referring to the
alleged purpose for which the troops were
| coming:
81 am happy In tho consciousness that the author-
ties Of the State Of Illinois abundany able to protect
every interest Of the people that depends upon Its In
ternal peace good order and unwilling to believe
that the President OF the United Statcs acting upon IN
formation iOf contrary character, communicated by
private citizens to officer Of the army. has orderod
any portion of the into this State to be SUBJECT 10
the call OF the authorities either to protect the store
houses Of the Relief Committee to interfere with the
possible though not probable. STRIKES OF iaborers
therefore deem due to the Importance OF the sub
ject TO frankly inquire OF your Exccency whelner the
troops ordered Chicago intended or Instructed to
obey the call OF any authorities Of the State OF Ilnois
the City Of Chicago In way whatever to assume
protection either Of property or the preservation OF
order In that city"
The President replied cOurteously, transmit
ting copy of all the correspondence and the
orders on the subject, and disclaiming any in
tcntion to reflect upon the ability of the State
or its officers to maintain the public peace.
Gov. Palmer, who evidently thought more of
the law of the case than of the compliments,
replied at length on the 30th November, stating
with great force and clearness his view OF the
improperly of the officers of the army inter-
fering with the preservation of public order in
the State upon the invitation of unauthorized
individuals, and expressing his trust that the
orders to United States troops to act as police,
or to otherwise interfere with the affairs or
duties of the State, or any of it's officers, were
made without reflection, and that the troops
would be at once withdrawn from the State;
or that the orders for their government would
be 80 modified as to prohibit their employ
ment as police, and prevent their interference
with the duties of the civil authorities.
| To this letter the President very curtly
| answered that he had "referred it to the
Secretary of War, with directions to inform
| Gen. Sheridan that if the troops under his
command have received any orders which in
"any way conflict with the provisions of the
Illinois, he is instructed to rescind them"
That is to say, Gov. Palmer brings to the
notice of the President q glaring irregularity,
to call it by no harshcr name, committed by
the Lleuteuant-General,a and approved and
sanctioned by the General Of the Army. The
President replies that he has referred the
matter to the Secretary of War, with instruc-
tions to inform Gen. Sheridan that, if he thinks
he has done anything illegal, he must undo 1t.
OF course, Gen. Sheridan thinks he has done
nothing illegal, and there is an end of the
matter.
The Message of Gov. Palmer concludes with
these temperate but impressive words:
at due to the dignity Of the people Of the State that
should that cannot consent that the grave and
important subjects which have urged upon the atten
ton Of the President shall be decided by officer Of the
army; but must hereafter, have done In the past
protest against all interference BY the officers Of the
army the affairs Of this State. must protest against
such interference because It will establish precedent
dangerous to liberty, because famarzes the people
with military rule and inspires them with dstrust Of the
capsbhy Of civil government to AFFORD them needful
protection; and it's for the Representatives OF the
free people Of theSate to discharge their duties accord
ing TO their convictions aud subject TO their
responsibilities"
It is improbable that this thoroughly manly.
and statesmaflike protest will Nee. With aky
immediate response or result. The pefsons
who have committed this WRONG against the
law and dignity of great State are the most
famous and most popular soldiers of the ma
ton. Their ofcnse has been thoughtlessly in
vited and recklessly condoned by some of the
best citizens Of Chicago. Their conduct has
received the tacit approval Of the distin.
guished soldier whom we have made our
President But whatever loud invectives may