The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-01-13
Andy Johnson on sheridan.

Nashville Special, 9TH, To- the n. Y. Herald
| have just had talk with eX-Presi-
dent johnson on the Louisiana imbroglio
In response to interrogatories propounded
he said: the action of General Phil.
Sheridan in ejecting the Louisiana Legis-
lature is piece of high handed usurpa
ton and as such it ought and will receive
the condemnation of the whole country.
1t is subscribing civil to military power.
Ii is an Hnwarrantable and ungenerous
departure from the organic law upon
which our republican government is foun-
ded. This is a matter to be looked upon
from our sectional standpoint, but entire
" in a national light There is but one
grave fact staring us in the face, and that
is embraced in three words, "unwarrant-
able usurpation OF power" The false
step taken by President Grant and Sheri-
dan has no precedent in the history of our
Government. Sheridan attempted to
create the same sort of devilment in Lou
isiana when | was President, but l at
once cut short his untoward, unwlse and
reckless proceeding by peremptorally re-
moving him, by order of August %, 1867,
from New Orleans to Fort Leavenworth,
and turned his command over to General
Hancock, who, on assuming command,
issued proclamation or paper which was
satisfactory to the whole country, proper
ly setting forth that the military was
subservient to the civil law, all of which
was direct opposition to Sheridan's poll
cy. General Hancock's policy won the
respect of the people, and with the de-
parture of sheridan all agitation ceased
and peace reigned. 1t was about the re-
moval of Sheridan that General Grant
and myself had a warm controversy. in
which it WITS believed by the whole
country that got the better of him.
Ny Cabinet were astounded to remove
Sheridan in the face of his then existing
military reputation. Some of them
thought it would never do to take such a
stand The Cabinet was divided on the
proposition; but | told them that if it
turned the Government upside down
Sheridan nor any other General should
usurp the civil authority and trample il
ANONYMOUSLY under foot There is a par.
allel case to that which has just occurred
in Louisiana. 1t happened in Tennessee
in July, 1866.
MANY of the members of the Legisla
ture here had absented themselves. Gen.
Holmes was induced to make applica-
ton to General Grant for authority to
aid in organizing the Legislature, which
was refused. | had no authority or pow
er whatever to interfere, the State having
exclusive jurisdiction over the matter
that &c interfere would be usurpa ton OF
power. placing the military above the
,.-.l a,,El,nr,.,o- onA nj
of the constitution and the laws. The
consequence was the affair was not long
after setted by the state authorities, and
there was no more trouble. People in
the South should act discreetly. Regard
ing the Louisiana usurpation Mr.. John
son said that Grant and Sheridan should
be temperate in all they say and do, and
the people should look to the North and
West to come forward and aid in the res
| toratiou of the government and constitu'
tional authority. The whole country is
justly indignant, and Louisiana will have
her wrongs righted."
sHERIDAN's FORMER REMOVAL.
The following is the dispatch referred
to regarding the removal of of Sheridan:
WASHINGTON. August 90, 1867.
Major General p H. Sheridan will a
once turn over his present command t.
the officer next in rank TO himself and
proceeding without delay to Fort Leaven
worth, Kan, will relieve Major Genera
Hancock of the command of the Depart
ment of the Missouri.
ANDREW JOHNSON
U. S. GRANT,
Secretary of War ad interim?