Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1885-10-29

-~--~ <*<<>%
measures Of Congress were revolutionary
and would destroy the country. The
war was over and the Republic wanted
peace, and that was possible only by the
union Of all sections The provisional
governments provided for the seeded
States were temporary expedients, with
out constitutional authority. and the
States had all the rights and should pos
sess all the powers they had before the
war. He had perfected a scheme to ac-
complish this result, and with General
Grants assistance Its success was assured
He would by proclamation direct the reb-
Ell States to send to Washington their full
quota OF Senators and Representatives.
He had assurances from enough members
from the North who, united with them,
would make quorum Of one house at
least. Il not both. The Congress thus
fcrmed he would recognize and install at
the Capitol. II the other Northern men,
bers did not choose to join, they would
be a powerless rump, meeting in some
hall. To the Generals suggestion that
this would start the civil wdf afresh, the
President replied. .,,->Ds
Those who do il will be the rebels,
but II you sustain me, resistance is I'm
possible.
He appealed to Grant to stand by him
In the crisis, and they would be the saw
iors Of the Republic. After endeavoring
for long time in vain to convince the
President Of the folly Of such a course
and its certain failure, no matter who
sustained 1t, Grant finally told him that
he would drive the Congress so constitut-
ed, out Of the Capitol at the point of the
bayonet, give possession Of the building
TO the Senators and Representatives from
the loyal States and protect them. If
necessary, he would appeal to the coun-
try and to the army he had so recently
mustered out of service. Mr.. johnson
asked him If he did not recognize the
powers vested in the President by the
Constitution, and II he would refuse to
obey the Commander-in-chief. General
Grant said that under such circumstances
he most certainly would. -
"Shortly afterward the President sent
for General Grant, and said to him that
the relations of our Government with
Mexico were very delicate, and he wished
him to 60 to the City of Mexico at once
on a very important mission. The Gen.
eral knew that this was to get him out of
the way, and put 1t in the power of the
Presidentto call, as his successor to
Washington, some officer upon whom he
could rely. He replied that il the ap-
pointment was diplomatic one he de-
clined II. IL 1t was o military one he re-
fused to obey. because the General of the
Army could not be ordered to q foreign.
country with which we are at peace. The
interview was stormy one, but the sub
ject was dropped. One day the General
was sent west on a tour Of inspection.
He knew that General Sherman was 10
be his successor, and in him he had abso.
lutte confidence. The outspoken loyalty
OF that great soldier prevented the pro.
ject ever being renewed
"Itis, at this date, needless to specu.
late upon what might have happened had
General Grant actively assisted or pas.
sively obeyed the President. No one
doubts the courage and obstinacy of An.
drew johnson, and only man Of equal
firmness and Determination could hayt
prevented most calamitous and unfor
tunate strife, at the most critical period
of the reconstruction Of the Republic.
"YOurs very truly,
"CHAUNoEy N. DEPEw.
"To COLONEL FREDERICK d. GRANT. u
NEW York, October 20, 1885.
DEAR Mr. DEPEw--I am in receipt
Of your letter and thank you for your re-
sponse to my request. have read YOU
account with great interest. 1t is sub
stantially correct, and l have been able
10 verify the facts from documents, let
tiers and personal recollections.
Yours very truly,
"F. ID. GRANT.
'To Hon. CHAUNoEY M. DEPEw."