Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-24

ton as TO whether Gen. Grant did or did
not favor the impeachment of President
johnson as raised by the recent CORES
pondence between Col. Grant aud Hon.
Chauncey NJ. Depew, the Globe Democrat
this morning prints the following state
ment, made by Gen. John b. Henderson,
who was in the Senate at the time, and
4 Will be remembered as one of the very
few Republican Senators who voted
/ against Impeachment Gen. Henderson
was also an intimate friend OF Gen. Grant,
and bad superior opportunities Of know
ing that gentleman's views at that time.
/ THE MOVEMENTS FOR IMPEACHMENT.
I The statement is as follows:
There were two separate and distinct
movements to impeaoh President Johuson.
| one was IN the House in December, 1867, i'm =
! medtately on the assembling OF Congress. IL
was based on the action of the committee APP
pointed during the special session OF Congress
IN July, 1867, TO investigate and report
whether It was advisable 10 lmpeach Mr..
Johnson. | speak only by memory, but, at
least, action was taken in December, and the
proposed articles of impeachment we're voted
down by very large majority. Con. Grant
was then acting Secretary OF War. and a
member OF President Johnsons Cabinet, and
have various reasons for stating that At that
time he was opposed to the impeachment OF
President Johnson. Gen. Grant had accepted
the position OF Secretary of War in the pre-
cedlng August, on the suspension of Edwin
nj stanton by the President, under the pro-
visions of the tenure of office act.
PROVISIONS OF THE ACT.
That act provided that in cases where the
President suspended an officer his reasons for
suspension ana the name of the pro tenn. ap-
polntment should be submitted to the senate.
II the Senate approved the suspension the old
incumbent stood removed. II the Senate
refused TO concur the new nomination foil. and
the old incumbent resumed his place. Within
the required time after the assembling of the
Senate in September. 1857, Mr.. Johnson, in
obedience TO the requirements Of the tenure
of-ofhce act, submitted his reasons for the
suspension Of Secretary stanton 10 the Senate,
which were referred to the appropriate com
mlttee. and, as remember now, without look
ing TO the records, that committee made an
adverse report. Within short time after the
reconvening OF Congress the Senate proceeded
in executive session. and finally, late at night.
came to final vote sustaining the report of
the committee, and oveTruliug the Presidents
action IN suspending Secretary stanton.
STANTON REINsTATED.
Under the law this vote ipso fscto reinsta-
ted Secretary Stanton and rem wed Gen.
Grant. The next morning Secretary stanton
appeared at the war Office at an early hour
and before the arrival Of Gen. Grant,
and on the arrival of Gen. Grant, Secreta-
rY stanton informed him OF the action of the
Senate and said that he was now again Secre-
tary OF War. Gen. Grant retired and in
itW hhyH OCCuElGu bue bcFuS D6lWGtu ETehl-
dent Johnson and Gen. Grant in the executive
mansion and in the presence OF all the cabinet
except possibly Secretary Seward. Tn that
interview it viii be remembered President
johnson stated to Gen. Grant that he (Gen.
Grant had accepted the porto
lio OF the war Department
with the agreement that in case the Senate
disagreed with the action Of the Pres dent IN
removing Secretary stanton, he Grant
ould either hold the Office and contest with
secretary stanton the constitutonalIty Of
the tenure-o office act, or, in the event Of his
unwllllngness 70 90 SO, he would give timely
notice thereof TO the President in order that
the latter might substitute the name Of some
other person who would contest the Validity
of the act in question with Secretary Stanton.
THE QUESTION OF CoNsTITUTIoNALITY
President johnson claimed that, in his
| opinion. the act was unconstitutional. and de-
clared he was led to believe that Gen. Grant
copcurred with him in such opinion. As to
what was said and done in that interview
Gen. Grant and the President seriously
differed, and the members of the Cabinet who
were present were called upon to substantiate
the Presidents version. Up to that time
never knew or heard OF any serious mieun-
derstanding between Gen. Grant and Presi-
dent johnson, and 7 am satisfied that up TO
that period Gen. Grant was opposed to any
action looking to the impeachment of Presi-
dent johnson.
ENMITY AFTER THIS.
After this difficulty, which, 70 far as could
I
of veracity between the parties, | can state
positively that Gen. Grant became a warm
and Jealous advocate Of impeachment and
continued so until the final vote on the sub
Ject. l speak only from memory as to datee,
but the substantial facts are correct.
Gov. Il. G. Ross, of New Mexico, who
was then In the United States Senate and
voted against the impeachment, in reply 10
telegraphic inquiry, saye:
Gen. Grant was understood TO oppose the
impeachment Of Andrew johnson until near
the beginning of his trial in the Senate, but
TO have favored it during the trial.
Lyman Trumbull, ex-senator from Illi-
nois, when approached on the subject last
night. declined TO discuss the matter and
said he knew nothing about Gen. Grants
feelings respecting the impeachment OF
President johnson, except what was pub
lie record. He, however, entirely discred-
tied the interview with Gen. Grant as
related by Hon. g. NJ. DeWw.