Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-24
JOHNSON AND GRANT.



ssitutional position by coup de maia,
pnbnshed to-day, suggests some refiec-
toms which concern At once the proha-
oiiify and the character Of the attri-
butec purpose. Upon one Of tine most
manifest OF these YOU have touched.
Ii President johnson had made
any such attempt to sednce General
Grant into conspiracy to snbvert the
reconstruction legislation OF Congress
by the sword, il Is simply incredible
that the passionate coterie which insti-
gated ana prosecuted the impeachment
Of President johnson. all Of whom
were the personal and political friends
and many Of them the most trusted and
intimate associates Of General Grant.
should have been un2dvised OF IL. and
equally Incredible that in their vehe-
mcnt anxiety to get rid OF Andrew
johnson they would have failed to use
so potent a weapon. General Gran.
was precisely the witness they desired.
and the story precisely me foundation
for conviction which would have recon-
ciled the largest segment OF the people
10 a verdict removing the President
from Office.
Moreover, General Grant was not
only bound by MS duty as a citizen,
but likely, under the relations between
himself and the President, 10 make such
facts known. No obligation OF AL off,
cial or personal nature forbade speech.
lie had just emerged IRON a bitter con-
troyersy with President johnson, III
the course OF which the President had
publicly charged him with unfaithfal-
ness to Official duty and with the viola
ton Of q deliberate and most important
personal assurance given by General
Grant 70 the President IN the presence
OF his Cabinet. all Of whom-and
all Republicans with historic names
over their signatures gave strong SUP
port, II not absolute verifcat.On, to
President Johnson's charges. The
General. therefore, could scarcely be
suspected Of any aversion 70 testifying
TO a TACT so damaging TO 81 adversary
who had not hesitated TO denounce him
over hls OWL signature N q communi-
cation given to the press. and sfterward.
believe, officially presented t. Con-
gress.
So much OF M Depev's letter ss
sets forth Andrew Johnson's views on
the proper constitutional position or
the southern States is cutie familiar
history The President stated It him
self again and again with a clearness or
thought and yIcor Of speech which no
restatement Of II could improve. In
his opening message to the Fort'eth
Congress Il write from memory bat do
not think ] car be mistaken, be srs-
nitted Al argument for bis position to
which no answer was ever made save
one thas conceded its incontrovertiole
force-to wit. that - reconstruction wa
outside Of the Constitution.
But the fact was that NJ. johnson 5
policy IL this matter was Abraham
Lincoln policy. As President johnson
constantly CLAIMED, and, IN confrms-
ton. q reminiscence OF the last days Of
Nil Lncoln's life, which. believe, mas
not hitherto appeared n print, may not
bt without interest
Wa q member Of the last General
Assembly Of Virginia that convened
during the WAT. We mad passed many
DAYS without a session. when, OF the
afternoon OF Sunday, April ., 1865,
we met 10 consider the situation. The
proposed evacuation OF Richmond was
not only known. but. II fact II pro-
gress, and the Legislature convened 30
consider our duty. Being Of opinion
that the fall oil Richmond and Peters
bury would speedily conclude tn war,
and that IL the political troubles
which must then speedily follow Il
could no. be without advantage 70
have III organized representative body at
the Capitol ] wrote and, according
70 my present recollection. offered 3
resolution declaring i to be the duty OF
the Assembly 70 remain. s motion
was made o. invite the Senate 20 OUT
room and 70 close the doors, and N
secret session the subject was consid-
erred. Governor Smith had already
been invited 70 the hal, and he ad-
dressed the JOINT body IN q speech OF
great vigor III favor Of the opposite
new. am q resolution 10 follow the re
treating army and resume sessions
LINK ., Lynchburg-prevaiied. The
bulk Of the members Jeff the city that
night with the Governor, bat several.
among whom was, declined what
seemed 70 Us a useless adventure.
On v ednesday. I think. M Lincoln
arrived Il Richmond. and ! was one Of
some five OF eight members who called
on him. lie seemed to be fally aware
Of what MAJ occurred II our last meet
M and expressed &c me his regret that
the legislature mad not remained, re-
peating more than once that while h
had 10 authority 70 speak for Congress
IL MS opinion there would be no Diff
Guilty IL providing for the immediate ad
mission Of such senators a. the
Assembly might elect. and that
lawful elections might a. once
be held tor members Of the lower
house. He Immediately caused A. Or
Ger to be published inviting the reas-
SER bling Of the Legislature AMI promls-
ing a safe conduct 70 al members or
Their WAY % Richmond, snd or Friday
morning we met u a building then
known as the Law Building 70 consider
the Presidents proposal. At that
meeting were al least two gentlemen
still living n Richmond and q letter
was then prepared embOdying Mr..
ldncoin's proposal and directing IT.
transmission as a circular 10 al mem
bers who could be rcrched-newspa-
pers being almost obliterated then II
Virginia
Whsu the Presidentreturned ne found
his policy vehemently opposed oy the
leaders Of the Republican party, and
especially by Mr. Stanton. easily first
II force among MS Cabinet advisers
and General Lees surrender imme-
GiAtely following. the Virgins question
was swallowed Up u the vast and no
rscntous politicsI problems which the
collapse or secession presented 70 the
country.
Nor was this q new or exceptional