Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-10-30

the Government, and thought that the
time had come when he could defeat his
enemies, coniiscate their property, hu.
initiate their pride, possibly destroy them.
The absorbing ambition and passion of
his life had been to be received and
treated as one Of them by the olivarehy.
Having failed in that and suffered in
suit and indignity in the effort, he be-
came one Of the most vindictive Of men.
He saw them foiled in their rebellion.
defeated and impoverished, and now H.
wanted to kill them, While he was de-
wishing means to overcome Gen. Grants
resistance to this last purpose the leal-
ers of the od,feudalism called upon him
They admitted their former. treatment
Of him and justified il They said that
IN all ages and countries where caste dis
tinctiaus existed, conditions we're al
ways possible which promoted men who
had achieved success from the lover into
the noble order, As President Of the
United States he became, regardless Of
birth or ancestry not only a member Of
their order, but its leader, f'4'l .
johnson was wild with delight !: ani-
bition and pride were both satisfied.
Ho became as anxious to sustain and
perpetuato in some form system which
had given the highest social aud politi-
cal distinction to few great families us
he had been to Idestroyit. Grant did
not have long to wait for the formula.
ton Of his plan The President sent
for him and said that tho radical meas
ures of Congress were revolutionary, and
would destroy the country. The war
was over, and thorepublic wanted peace,
aud that was possible only by union Of
all sections. The provisional Govern
ments provided for tho seeded States
were oxpedients, without constitutional
authority, and the States had all the
rights and should possess all the powers
they had before the war, He had per-
fected scheme to accomplish this re-
suit, and with Gen. Grants assistance
its success was assured. He would by
proclamation direct the rebel States to
send to Washington their full quota OF
Senators and Representatives. He had
assurances from enough members from
the North, who, united with them, would
make quorum Of one House at least. ii
not both. Tho Congress thus formed
he would recognize and install ut the
Capitol II the other Northern mem.
bcrs did not choose to join they would
be a powericss rump meeting In some
hall. To tho Generals suggestion that
this would start the civil war afresh, tho
President replied:
''Fhcy who do il will be tho rebels.
but it you sustain me resistance is i'm
possible y
He appealed to Grant to stand iry him
in the crisis and they would be the
saviors of the republic. After endeavor-
ing for a long time 10 vain to convince
the President Of the folly of such course
and its certain failure, no matter who sus-
tanned it Grant finally told him that
(GranD would drive the Congress so
constituted ont Of tho Capitol at tho
point of the bayonet, give possession Of
the building to the Senators and Repre-
scntativcs from the loyal States and pro-
tcct them. If necessary be would APP
peal to the country and the army he had
80 recently mustered out Of service. Mr..
johnson asked him il he did not recog-
nizc the powers vested in the President
by the Constitution, and If he would re-
fuse TO obey the COMMANDMENT Chief.
Gen. Grant said that under such cir
cumstanccs he most certainly would.
Shortly afterward the President sent
for Grant, and said to him that the re-
lations Of our Government with Mexico
were very delicate, and he wished him
TO go to the city Of Mexico at once on
very important mission. The General
know that this was to get him out OF
tho way, and put it in the power of the
President to call as his successor to
some officer upon whom no
could rely. lilo replied that il the APP
pointment was diplomatic one ho de-
cinod it. If it was military one he
refused to obey. because the General Of (,
the Army conld not be ordered to for,
,ign country with which VIC are at peace.
The interview was stormy one, but tho
subject was dropped.
One day the General was sent West
IN a tour Of inspection He knew that
Gen. Sherman was TO be his successor,
md in him ho had absolute confidence.
Tho outspoken loyalty Of that great SOL
iicr prevented the project ever being
renewed II is at this date needless 10
speculate upon what might have hap
pencd had Gen Grant actively assisted
'r passiycly obeyod the President No
1nc doubts the courage and obstinacy Of
Andrew johnson, and Only man Of
,qual irmness and determination could
nave prevented most calamitous and
unfortunate strife at tho most critical
period Of the reconstruction Of the re-
public. Yours very truly,
CHAUNcEY NJ DEPEw.