Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-01-19
GEN. GRANTS SELF-IMPEACH-
MENT.

In connection with the attempted 1ustinca-
ton by the President of the military inter-
isrence in New Orleans the New York World
reviews a "reminiscences which, says the Bal
t'more San, must have already suggested itself
TO many Of our readers; tina. is, that in the
year 1866 grave issue arose in the State of
maryland between Governor Swami and the
then police commissioners of the city of Ball
timore, when, as will be recollected, after con-
viction of certain charges preferred and order
Of removal by the Governor, these commits
sioners, under bad partisan advice, undertook
to hold on to their places, and state of dis
order was brought about which threatened the
Ieace of the city as well as the overthrow of
the authority of the State. The World con-
tnuipg its account, speaks of the Governor
removing the commissioners in pursuance of
his rightful prerogatives, and, we may add, in
pursuance of his purpose to restore to the peo>
pie of Maryland the elective franchise of
which they had been perfdously despoiled
during the frenzied period of the radical
domination in the State. With reference to
the apprehended riot in the city the World
says: Clearing that the riot might assume
proportions beyond his power to quell, Gov
ernor Swami held consultation with Presi-
dent johnson in order to learn from him
whether it were proper to invoke the aid of
the federal arms for the purpose of ejecting
the deposed commissioners and installing other
incumbents il their places. General Grant
was then geaeral-in- chief of the army, and
President johnson naturally called him to
share in the deliberations that were had upon
the subject. While the matter was thus under
consideration General Grant addressed COM
munication to President johnson, under date
of October "a, 1866, from which we take the
following extract. (The whole letter may be
found in the History of Reconstruction as
compiled by Mr.. Edward Mcpherson, the
scntatives, and occurs on page 297 of that POI
litical manual Says General Grant:
Military interference would be interpreted
as giving aid to one of the factions, no matt
tershow pure the intentions or how guarded
and just the instructions. 1t is contingency
l hope never to see arise in this country, while
L occupy the position of general-in>chief of
the army, to have to send troops into State
in full relations with the general government,
on the eve of an election, to preserve the
peace IF instruction does come the law
provides the method of calling out forces to
suppress it. No such condition seems to ex-
lst now"
Andrew johnson showed in this juncture
that he had correct conception of constitu-
tioual law, and General Grant seems to have
then lad some enlightened ideas on the same
subject, SO that in his present conduct he APP
pears to be SHINING against light and knowl>
edge. The radicals would have made the all
legged purpose of President johnson to at
tempt military Interference in Maryland the
ground of an impeachment, thong Oh he ac-
tually abstaned from all such interference,
and Gen. Grant said that this abstinence was
due in measure to himself, yet he appears
entirely to have forgotten the lessons of that
period, and gone back upon the views
which he then held. The fact is, Gen. Grant
was not politician at that time, and the idea
Of being President had not gotten into his
head, even for a single term, as has since the
idea of taking a chance for third term.-
But if Gen. Grants present supporters thought
subsequently Of impeaching President john
son for military interference in State, and
and only gave it over because there wss no
fact in the allegation, how are they to excuse
the Presidents undoubted aud acknowledged
interference of late in Louisiana and its Leg
islature?