The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-11-04

1
AIsIpus 3ou J! o. s9euIpIoqns seM
was a poor white, bad been a Jour
neyman tailor, and Notwithstanding
the distinguished public positions
he had held, he could not break
through the class barrier, and was
treated socially with contempt by
this proud aristocracy. When they
plunged into rebellion he saw his
opportunity. He believed in the
power of the government, and
thought the time had come when
he could defeat his enemies, confis-
cate their proferty, humiliate their
pride and possibly destroy them.
The absorbing ambition and passion
of his life had been to be received
and treated as one of them by the
oligarchy. Having failed in that and
suffered insult and indignity in the
effort, he became
ONE OF THE MOST vINDIcTIyE
of men. He saw them fail in their
rebellion defeated and impoverish-
ed, and now he wanted to kill them.
While he was devising means to
overcome Genreal Grants resistance
to this last purpose, the leaders of
the old feudalism called upon him.
They admitted their former treat
ment and justified it. They said
that in all ages and countries where
caste distinctions existed conditions
were always possible which promo
ted men who had achieved success
from the lower into the nobIer or
der. As President of the United
States he became regardless or birth
or ancestry, not only member of
their order, but its leader. Johnson
was wild with delight; ambition and
pride were both satisfied. He be-
came as anxious to sustain and per-
petuate in some form a system
which had given the highest social
and political distinction to a few
great families as he had been to des-
troy 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 wan
ted peace, and that was possible
only by q union of all sections
The provisional governments pro-
vided for the seeded States were
temporary expedients, without con-
stltutional 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 accomplish this result, aud with
General Grants assistance its success
was assured. He would by procla-
nation direct the rebel States to
send to Washington their full quota
of Senators and Representatives.
He had assurance from enough
members from the North, who, uni
ted with them, would make quo
rum OF one house at least, if not
both. The Congress thus formed
he would recognize ard install at
the Capital If the other Northern
members did not choose to join they
would be powerless rump meet
ing in some hall
TO THE GENERALS SUGGESTION
that this would start the civil war
afresh. the President replied: They
who do it will be the rebels: but if
you sustain me resistance is impos-
sible. He appealed to Grant to
stand by him in the crisis. and they
would be the saviors of the Repub-
lie. After edeavoring for long
time in vain to convince the Presi-
dent of the folly ofsuch course and
its certain failure, no matter who
sustained it, Grant finally told him
that he would drive the Congress so
constituted out of the Capital at the
pcint of the bayonet, give posses
sion of the building to the Senators
and Representatives from the loyal
States and protect them. If neces-
sary, he would appeal to the coun-
try and to the army he had so re-
recently mustered out of service.
Mr.. Johnson asked him if he did
not recognize the powers vested in
the President by the Constitution,
and if be would refuse to obey the
Commander. in chief. General Grant
said that under such circumstances
he most certainly would. Shortly
afterwards the President sent for
General Grant, and said to him 10
go TO the City of Mexico at once on
a very important mission. The Gen
eral knew that this was to get out of
the country and put it in the power
of the President TO call, as his sue
cessor,to Washington, some officer
upon whom he could rely. He re-
piled shat if the appointment was
diplomatic one, he declined it. if it
was military one, he refused to
obey, because the General of the
army could not he ordered to for
eign country with which we are not
at peace. The
INTERVIEW WAS A STORMY ONE,
but the subject was dropped. One
day the General was sent West on
tour of inspection. He knew that
General Sherman was to be his sue
eessor, and in him be had absolute
confidence. The outspoken loyalty
OF Ihat great soldier prevented the
project ever being renewed.
1T is at this date needless to
speculate upon what might have
happened had Genarel Grant active
ly assisted or passively obeyed the
President No one doubts the cour.
age and obstinacy Of Andrew John
son, and only man of equal firm
ness and determination could have
prevented a most calamitous and
strike at the most criti-
cal period of the reconstruction of
TIE Republic.
Yours, very truly,
CHAUNcEY NJ. DEPEw.
ITO Colonel F. d. Grant"
NEW York, Oct. 20.-Dear Mr..
Depew: | am in receipt of your