Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-10-27
An Exciting Cabinet Meeting i'm Recon
structfOn DAYS

Washington Star: Rolfe S. Saunders of
Tennessee, who has been prominent in
the politics of that State for many years,
in talking to Star reporter declared, in
the strongest terms, his disbelief in Mr..
Chauncey N. Depew's account of Gen.
Grants reeolleetions of certain interviews
between himself and President Andrew
johnson. "Why," said Mr.. Saunders,
Grant hated johnson worse than any
man alive. Now, it should be renem-
bered that at the time Grant related his
version of the affair to Depew he was q
different nnan from what he became later.
Alter his Affections and misfortunes he
grew penitent, but when he talked with
Depew he was full of vindictiye hatred of
johnson. In 1871 / was sitting in ex- Presi-
dent Johnson's library with him, in Green
Vile, Tenn. He was talking OF his expe-
riences as President, and reparkedl 'I'Il
show you some unwritten history He
reached up to the bookshelyes and took
down very large volume, larger than the
ordinary ledger OF business hous e. There
were number of these volumes ranged
alongside each other. He laid before me
the one he had taken down and opened it
at place which was marked by torn
record of what had occurred at memor-
able Cabinet meeting. These volumes
contained the minutes of all the Cabinet
| meetings of Johnson's administration.
The proceedings were act forth in clear
| hand. l read tho record of the meeting
to which he had called my attention. II
contained the expressions OF the opinions
OF the Cabinet members concerning
1rant's course with regard to the Secre-
I taryship. of War. He had, as is we'll
known, Consented to IKE that position
| for the purpose OF aiding the admins
tration to get Stanton out. In that very
| meeting he was accused by the President
and his Cabinet Ministers of treachery
and double-dealing. Gideon Wellea orn-
| ployed the strongest language In denounc.
| ing Grants conduct and never read such
an excorisuon as the President gave Grant.
In language as forcibte as johnson could
employ-and be knew how to use vigorous
| Engiish-he denounced Grant for his de-
ception and treachery. He charged him
with having played the spy upon the ad-
ministration and the Cabinet, After hav-
ing read the denunciation, asked Mr..
johnson where Grant was at the time. He
replied with great earnestness-
| - him, as close to nae as YOU are.
and during the delivery OF my remarks l
| shook my finger right in his face
He, Grant" continued Mr., Saunders,
neither looked up nor replied, so Presi-
dent Johnson told aae. Now, it is plain
20 be seer that Grant was moved by vim
| dictive spite in telling what he did It'e
absurd. Mr.. Johnson was not socially
tabooed. 1t is true there were eecple who
didn't like him, but he Nab Governor oi
the State, United States Senator, ETC., and
had as high social position as anybody
| Again, there were very few Southern men
here in Washington at the time Grant
refers to. 1 know that very few of the
leaders OF Southern sentiment and opin.
ion were here about that time johnson
never did say, either, that traitors should
be hung. He said treason should be made
odious and traitors punished"