The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-08-27
GEN GRANT AND PRESIDENT JoH.so.
a. Intend 10 Hans Ever Mothers Son Of Them.
"a Johnson.


Inid-January Of last year To II friend
who knew how 10 listen and how To re-
member just what he heard:
Andrew johnson, at the beginning OF
his term sent for General Grant. They
had II private interview. lie bluntiy
told the General that he wished the
Army employed to arrest the members
of the rebel Administrations, the rebel
Congress, and the rebel State Govern
Menis, as well n the rebel army and
navy officers.
The former he would try in Federal
courts. The latter he would try by
military commissions. lie frankly
added: II intend to hang every moth
er's son Of them" This was the time
when to Tom. Dick and Harry, Tray,
Blanche and sweetheart, he WAS saying
"Treason must be made odious and
traitors must be punished
lie was also drinking more than was
good for him-and Grant was not.
For reply Johnson got this swift and
straight from the old commander:
II will not employ the Army for any
such purpose, nor will / let it be en-
ploycd for any such purpose"
But, said Johnson, IL am by
the Constitution, COMMUNICATIVE Chief.
What will you do if | give you such
orders ,"
''Disobey them," quietly rejoined
Grant. and state my reasons to Con-
gress and the country. The soldiers of
the South accepted my parole, which
by the laws of war and Of the United
States l was authorized to give. 1t
guaranteed they should not be modest
cd if they laid down their arms, went
home, and obeyed the laws. They did
50. will stand by that parole, and
the first Court-martial you order would
better be one to try me, for / will not
issue such orders as you suggest, and
will issue orders against them. for the
purpose You state"
President Johnson, after measuring
the odds. abandoned the project Of
vengeance.
Johnson was influenced in this pur-
pose, the Eagle explains, 10y his poor
white hostility to the Southern slave
aristocracy. to which he WAS later on
reconciled by their oiler Of "a position
and comradeship,' which had been
the aim and envy Of Andrew johnson.
The offer was reiterated for IL long
time and in many forms. Women
added their charms to the purpose Of
capturing President by assailing his
weakest side"
Many months afterward Gen. Grant
WAS forced to regard himself us having
been grossly deceived. The occasion
was the second remarkable private in
terview which he had with President
Johnson, at the latter's request.
At that interview President johnson
said to General Grant:
II mean to order elections in the
South for congressman, State officers
and legislatures under the old law"
"iou cannot do it," said the General
"rhe Southern States are now under
provisional governments, established
by the Laws Of Congress"
But interposcd the President,
those laws are unconstitutional. The
South will act under my orders and
choose Representatives and Senators.
With them the Democratic Represen-
fatives and Senators Of the North will
mite. Together they will form the
Congress ! will recognize. The other
Congress will then be in rebellion
To this statement Gen. Grant replied
~ will oppose and prevent any such
thing"
How was tire inquiry.
by marching enough Of the Army
into the usurping Congress to desperse
or arrest and imprison all its men,
bcrs.' was the reply.
The two men eyed each other from
top to toe, but parted formally and
without further collision If view.
Shortly afterward President johnson
let General Grant know that he intend
cd to send him ON an official and
trunped up purpose to the City of
Mexico. suspec,ing a scheme to get
him out Of the way, General Grant
pointed to the regulations and the law
and said:
a commander Of the Army, in time
at peace, cannot be ordered out Of the
United states unless he consent. / do
not consent"
That ended the endeavor.
A little while afterward Glen. Grant