The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-21

always possible Whlcn promoter men VINO ndu
achieved success from the lower into the nobler
order. As President of the United States he be-
came, regardless of birth ancestry, 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 sustain
and perpetuate in some form, system which
had given the highest social and political dis
tinction to few great families as he had been
to destroy it.
General Grant did not have long to wait for
the formation of his plan. The President
ical measures of Congress were
revolutionary and would destroy the country.
The was over and the Republic wanted
Reace and that was possible only by union of
all sections. The provisional governments pro-
vided for the seeded States were temporary ex
pedients, without constitutional authority, and
the States had all the rights and should possess
all the powers they had before the war. He had
perfected scheme to accomplish this result,
and with General Grants assistance it's success
was assured. He would by proclamation direct
the rebel States to send to Washington their full
quota of senators and representatives He had
North, who united with them. would make
a quorum of house at least, if
not both. The Congress thus formed he would
recognize, and if the other Northern members
did not choose to join, they would be powerless
rump, meeting in some hall. He appealed to
Grant to stand by him in the crisis. and they
would be the saving of the Republic
GRANTS DETERMINED ATTITUDE.
"After endeavoring for long time in vain to
convince the President of the folly of such a
course, and its certain failure, matter who
sustained it, Grant finally told him that ne
would drive the Congress SO constituted out of
the Capital at the point of the bayonet give pos
session of the building to the senators and repre-
sentatives from the loyal States, and protect
them. If necessary, he would appeal to the
country and to the army he had
80 recently mustered out of service Mr..
johnson asked him if he did not recognize the
powers vested in the President by the Constitu
ton, and if he would refuse to obey the com
mander-in-chef General Grant said that, under
such circumstances, he most certainly would.
Shortly afterward the President sent for Cen
eral Grant and said to him that the relations of
our government with Mexico were very delicate,
and he wished him to go to the City of Mexico
at once very important mission. The Gen
eral knew that this was to get him out of the
way, and put it in the power of the
President to CALL as his successor to
Washington, some officer upon whom he
could rely. He replied that if the appointment
a diplomatic one, he declined it. If it was a
military one he refused to obey, because the
general of the army could not be ordered to a
foreign country with which are at peace.
The interview was stormy one, but the subject
was dropped One day the General was sent on
tour of inspection. He knew that General
Sherman was to be his successor, and in him he
had absolute confidence The outspoken loyalty
of that great soldier prevented the project ever
being renewed.
1T is needless to speculate upon what might
have happened if General Grant had actively as
sisted or passivey obeyed the President. No
one doubts the courage and obstinacy of Andrew
johnson, and only a man of equal frmness and
determination could have prevented most un
fortunate strife at the most critical period of
the reconstruction of the Republic.
yours very truly,
''CHAUNCY M. DEPEw.
"Colonel f. D. Grant"