The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-06

Iuterview Between Rev. G. III. Fowler.
ID. -, and General Grant.

~ u ia
ID. -. and General Grant.
THE Ex.PREsIDENT's OPINION OF GENERAL.
HAYCOcK's MILITARY SERVICE, &C.
NEW YORK, October 5.-Tbe Times pub
fishes the following: "Tbe Cincinnati Ga
zette will print tomorrow report OF an in.
tervew between Rev. T.. III. Fowler, ID. D.,
and General Grant, which gives some start
ling points IN connection with the inside
history OF Hsncock's Order No. 40. Gene
raj Grant talked freely TO Fowler, and after
the interview gave written consent 10
its publication under certain restrictions
as to time. The conversation took place in
Grants library, at Gaens. on the 21st OF
September" Speaking Of Hancock the ex.
President said:
"Down to 1864 he seemed like man am
bilious to do his duty as an officer, but in
1864, when Mcclellan was nominated Han
cock received one vote, and that greatly eX-
cited and changed him. He was so delighted
that he smiled all over. 1t crszed him. Be-
fore that we got on we'll. After that he
would hardly speak to me. I was working
TO enforce the laws OF Congress and he was
working for the presidency. Perhaps he
thought did not praise him enough; but
anyway, he hardly spoke to me. 1t was on
NY nomination that he was made brga-
dier-general in the regular army when was
made General. Stanton told me il was q
compliment to me, and that ! could name
men 10 fill vacancies in Acknowledgements.
ships and maj or generslships caused by
my promotion. l nominated bin for the
vacant maior-generaship in the regular
army. He acknowledged II manfuly. He
was very fair corps commander, but was
never thought OF for any great place.
When the Army OF The Potomac was hunt
ing for a commander it took almost every
body, and even came into the West for Off
GERS, but nobody ever even suggested Han
cock for the plsce. After he received that
vote in 1864 he had uhe bee in his bon
net, and shaped everything TO gain Demo
cratic and southern favor. lie has watched
and planned and waited until at last he has
received the Democratic nomination."
"Do you think, General, that bis cele-
brated order No. 40 represents the direction
OF bis sympathies 70
"Well. will give you the true inner his
tory Of Order No. 40: Congress was striv-
ing to prevent Andrew Johnson from I'M
doing the reconstruction laws. Whenever
Congress passed a laW johnson bent his en-
ergies to defeat its enforcement, and would
find preteX,s 10 dodge round L.. Then
Congress would pass another law 10 hedge
him UP there. So it went on TIL Congress
had taken from him all control OF generals
commanding seven districts OF the South
except the power TO remove them and APP
point Others in their places These command
ers could remove any civil officer OF any
grade, Judge or governor. When was made
General and they were determining my
powers and duties, they gave the General
by accident, think, or without seeing all
IT inyoyed-co ordinate power with these
district commanders. General Sheridan was
sent TO the Department OF Louisiana, coy.
ering Louisiana and Texas. He was very
shrewd and very able. He kept his. eyes
open, learning rapidly the men who were
not worthy 10 occupy their places, and dis
covering competent and worthy men TO put
in their places. The Legislature OF Louisiana
passed law authorizing the issue OF $1,000
600 OF levee bonds, ostensibly for the levee.
They conditioned their sale on their bring
ing TO the State not less than 80 per cent.
of their face-yalue. The Governor and
three commissioners were TO place the bonds
on the market, but they soon found that the
bonds would not bring more than 40 per
cent. To avoid the law they invented a
plan OF borrowing money and using the
bonds as collateral. They could borrow
about "a or 80 per cent. OF the face-vslue OF
the bonds. Just at this iuncture, 10 pre-
vent these men from defrauding the State,
General Sheridan took OF the heads OF the
Governor and commissioners so quick
that they did not know what allied
them, and appointed gentlemen in their
places. For some reason the removed
men were very anxious to be reappoint-
ed. They employed Reverdy Johnson and
another gentleman to work for them, agree
ing to pay them S250.000 il they were re-
lnstated. This is great deal OF money for
four men TO pay for positions, unless there
is some special gain in the case. Reverdy
johnson came to me, but was so stupid
and stubborn that could not be induced
10 reappoint them. He vert 10 Andrew
johnson and made his case, and Andrew
johnson sent for me and asked me TO re-
instate those men. / refused to do so.
He said reinstate them even IL it is only
for one day, and will promise that they
will resign. / thought johnson might
not know OF the motive why they were
so anxious to be reinstated, and think
ing that | would do him a great service In
keeping him from a great blunder, told
him that one hour would serve those men
as well as one day, and unfolded their in
tention; but johnson insisted on their
being reinstated. l refused and excused
myself. johnson then removed Sheridan
and appointed Hancock. He called Hancock
to Washington to instruct him in defeating
the laws OF Congress concerning recon-
struction. AS sOoon as learned that Han.
cock was in town l called at his hotel In
stead OF sending for him, as l wanted TO
see him privately in his own room.
found him in his room, perhaps, be-
fore he had his breakfast. L said, General,
you and l are soldiers-army oftcers-we
have life positions; we serve under sue
ce.sive administrations without regard TO
party; it is our duty to enforce the laws OF
Congress; We are not responsible for the
wisdom OF laws-Congress bears that re-
sponsiblity-we simply enforce them. tie
said, Well, am opposed 10 negro domina-
ton. / said, General, 1t Is not question
OF negro domination. Four millions OF ex
slaves, without education or property, can
hardly dominate 40,000,000 OF whites with
all the education and property. IL Is
question OF doing our sworn duty. He
said, Well, / am opposed 10 negro
domination. saw that my only chance to
influence him was by the remnant OF au-
thority left In my hands. He was deter
mined TO please the Democratic party and
the South. He went South and removed
tue Governors and commissioners that Gen.
eraI sheridan had appointed. instantly
photographed him not to appoint TO office any
man who bad been removed, and TO give me
bis res sons for removing the men. Hetele-
graphed In long reply. costing the Gov
eminent $3.50, his reasons. Itelegrapbed
him that his reasons were not sufficient, and
to send by mail other reasons. He again