The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-10-31


coutries where caste distinctions ex-
listed, conditions were always possible
which promoted men who had achieved
success from the lower into the noble Or
der. AS President of the United States
he became, regardless of birth or ances-
try, not only member of their order,
but its leader Johnson was wild with
delight; ambition and pride were both
satisfied. He became as anxious to sus-
tain and perpetuate in some form a sys-
tenn which had given the highest social
and political distinction to few great
families as he had been to destroy it,
Grant did not have long to wait for the
formulation of his plan. The President
sent for him and said that the radical
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 a
union of all sections. The provisional
governments provided for the seceeded
cut constitutional authority, and the
| States had all the rights and should pos
sess all the powers they had before the
war. lie had perfected I scheme to &C
complish this result, and with Gene1 al
Grants assistance its success was as
sured. He would by proclamation di-
rect the rebel States to send to Washing
ton their full quota of Senators and Rep
| resatives. He had assurances from
enough members from quorum of one
house at least, if not both. The Con-
gress thus formed he would recognize
and install at the Capital. If the other
Northern members did not choose to
join they would be powerless rump,
meeting in some hall. To the Generals
suggestion that this would start the civil
war afresh, the President replied:
"They who do 1t will be the rebels, but
if you sustain ME resistance is impossi-
ble.'
He appealed to Grant to stand by him
in the crisis, and they would be the sa-
viours Of the Republic. After endoavor-
| ing for long time in vain to convince
| the President of the folly of such a course
and its certain failure, no matter who
sustained it. Grant finally told him that
he would drive the Congress so constitu-
ted 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
country and to the army he had so r
| Gently mustered out of service. Mr..
Johnson asked him if he did not recog-
nlze the powers vested in the President
by the Constitution, and if he would re-
fuse to obey the Commander-in-ch
General Grant said that under such Cir
cumstaaces he most certainly would.
Shortly afterward the President sent
for Grant, and said to him that the rela-
lions of our Government with Mexico
were very delicate, and he wished him
to go to the City of Mexico at once on a
very important mission. The General
knew that this was to get him out of the
way and put it in the power of the Pres
| ideut to call as his successor to Wash
ington some officer npon whom he could
rely. He replied that ifthe appointment
was a diplomatic one he declined it. If
it was military one he refused to obey
because the General of the Army could
not be ordered to a foreign country with
which We are at peace. The interview
was stormy one, but the subject was
| dropped. Ohe day the General was sent
West on tour of inspection. He knew
| that General Sherman was to be his sue
cessor, and in him he bad absolute conf
dence. The outspoken loyalty of the
great soldier prevented the project ever
| being renewed. 1t is at this date needles
to speculate upon what might have haI
pened had General Grant actively asss-
ted or passvely obeyed the President.
No one doubts the courage and obsti-
macy of Andrew johnson, and only a man
of equal firmness and determination
could have prevented most calamatons
and unfortunate strife at the most crti-
cal period of the reconstruction of the
Republic. Yours very truly,
| CHAUNCEy M. DEPEW,
| COLONEL FREDERICK D. GRANT.
New YORK. Oct. 20, 1885.
DEAR MIR. DEPEw: am in receipt of
your letter and thank you for your re-
SPONGE to my request. l have read your
account with interest. 1t is substanti-
ally correct. and have been able to YER
ify the facts from documents, letters
and personal recollections.
Yours very truly F. D. GRANT.
Hon. CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEw.