The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-08-04

cess in Louisiana, so long as Sheri-
dan was in command of that depart
ment. and his removal was deter
mined upon. Before actually issu-
ing the order President Johnson in
formed General Grant of his inten-
tions, and asking his suggestions.
To this invitation General Grant re-
piled by two letters, one a private
letter dated Aug. /, 1867, in which
he says:
GRANT TO JOHNSON.
"On the subject of the removal OF
the very able commander Of the
Fifth Military District, let me ask
YOU to consider the effect it would
have upon the public. He is uni
versallv and deservedly beloved by
the people who sustained this gov
ernment through its trials, and fear
ed by those who still be enemies OF
the government. 1t fell to the lot OF
but few men to do as much against
an armed enemy rs General Sheri-
dan did during the rebellion, and il
is within the scope of the ability OF
but few, in this or any other country,
to do what he has. His civil adj
ministration has given equal salts
faction. He has had difficulties to
contend with which no other district
commander has encountered. Al
most. if not quite, from the day he
was appointed district commander
to the present time, the press has
given out that he was to be removed;
that the administration was dissatis-
fed with him, etc. This has en-
boldened the opponents to the laws
of Congress within his command to
oppose him in every way in their
power, and has rendered necessary
measures which otherwise may never
have been necessary.
I'm conclusion. allow me to say,
as friend desiring peace and quiet
the welfare Of the whole country,
North and South, that it is in my
opinion more than the loyal people
of this country II mean those who
supported the government during
the rebellion) will quietly submit to-
to see the very man, of all others
whom they have expressed conf
dencc in, removed"
And again on the 18th of Augu ST
in an official communication, in
which he says:
General Sheridan has performed
his civil duties faithfully and intel
igently. His removal will only be
regarded as an effort to defeat the
laws of Congress. 1t Will be inter
preted by the unreconstructed ele-
ment in the South-those who did
all they could TO break up this gov
ernment bv arms, and now wish To
be the only element consulted as tc
the method Of restoring order-as q
triumph. 1t will embolden them tC
renewed opposition to the will OF the
loyal masses, believingthatt they have
the executive with them"
All this to-day makes most In
structive reading, and carries us back
to those serious, earnest times when
the nation clung TO its true men
applause Among the absolute
true and faithful were found Grant
and Sheridan (applause) immovable
on the side of the loyal people Of the
country. (Applause.) Casting about
among the army officers for one tc
whom he could safely submit the
execution of his scheme against the
loyal people of Louisiana and the
country, Johnson selected Winfield
Scott Hancock, removed Sheridan tC
give him a place, so that the course
of Sheridan might be reversed ig-
nored the urgent and patriotic APP
peals of General Grant, and sent
Hancock to New Orleans to thwart
and defeat the viii of the nation, as
clearly expressed in the will of Con
gress through the reconstruction
laws then recently enacted Here
the civil service of General Hancock
as theselected agent of Andrew John
son and his policy begins there, be
cause the peepe one year later had
that policy and its author, its aiders
and abettors under their feet. (Ap-
plause.l
Hancock proved himself most
willing agent for this unpatriotic and
unholy work. Upon assuming com,
mand at New Orleans he issued a
high-sounding order, which practi-
cally set at naught the act of Con
gress, under which he was appointed
to that command and defiant in its
letter and spirit, and in which order
he ostentatiouslv says:
THE general commanding is graf
flied TO learn that peace and quiet
reign in this department, and 1t will
be his purpose 10 preserve this con-
dition of things. As a means to this
great end he regards the mainten-