Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-23

New YORK, Oct. 90.
The New York Herald printed several col
umns this morning under the caption John
sons conspiracy" giving interviews with .
number of parties supposed to have been con-
versant with the matter alluded to in the let
ter of Chsuncey Depew TO Colonel Fred
Grant.
General Sherman was visited At his resi-
dence in ST. Louis last evening, and asked to
contribute chapter to the very interesting
volume of national history opened up by Mr.
Depew on Gen. Grants relations with An
drew johnson. The general fatty refused to
open his mouth on the subject further than
to say that he Was perfectly familiar with the
condition Of Affairs At the time referred to,
but that he thought the events of those stirr-
ing times had better remain unwritten, that
they might the sooner be buried in oblivion.
To all direct questions the general returned Q
fiat refusal to reply. His manner of refusing
made it very evident that he thought that
Chauncey Depew wrote the truth, but
only part Of it, "Why," said the general,
II have papers and letters, q great mass of
documentary evidence, proving just what
transpired in relation to the matter. but will
never allow anyone but myself to read them
and the information | possess l will never
impart to living soul"
Gen. Daniel Sickles was interviewed at
his residence in New York city last evening.
He had just read Depew's letter with great
interest. He said:
"It is not a surprise to me, for President
JohnsOn's attitude towards the South and
Congress was looked on with great uneas-
ness by General Grant and Secretary STAN
ton at the time. The most concern was felt
by the friends of reconstruction. was
placed in command of the department of the
CarolInas, afterward known as the second
military division.
1t was generally understood that President
Johnson was intensely hostile to the South,
and to MIR. Lincoln's plan of construction.
| favored what was known as Lincoln's pol
icy. Gen. Grant held similar views. Presi-
dent Johnson, however, was so much oppos-
ed to a peaceful reconstruction that it was
great surprise to me when l was assigned to
the department of the Carolinas, and was
so fearful that there would not be harmony
between myself and the President that ask
ed for written instructions. l knew johnson
we'll We had been in Congress together be-
fore the war. and we were both democrats.
| was Gen. Grants aid. johnson was vim
dctive and hated the slave holders because
they had no sympathy with the working class
from which he had worked his way to the
White House.
"At the close of the war l made a speech
when serenaded in Washington, stating that
the victors should be magnanimOus tow
ard the defeated SOutherners and aid them to
regain their prosperity. was so much in
harmony with Gen. Grant that he requested
me to speak in Albany, Niagara and other
places. In those days Gen. Grant would not
express his views before public assemblies,
4 l.. Al L
sentiments fully. He distrusted President
johnson.
1.-The reason that asked for written in
structions when was assigned to the COM
mand of the Csrolinas was to get a definite
idea of what President johnson wished car
ried out, for | intended to resign, if dis
graceful policy should be proposed. My in
structons were such that | accepted COM
mand of the Carolinas. In the following
year, johnson changed his entire course, and
his relations with Mr.. Stanton and Gen
Gran: were not cordial. In fact. neither
Grant nor Stanton visited the White House
or went near the President, but they kept an
anxious eye on his movements. was afraid
that his vlndictive policy would make it inn
possible for me to get along hsrmOniously
with the Carolnas. Presently, to my sur
prise, johnson refused to sustain my acts be-
cause he thought me too severe, and was as
lenient with offending Southerners as he had
previously been vindictive.
"A man was murdered under the shadow
of a South Carolina court house. l removed
the sheriff and coroner who claimed that the
murderers were unknown, when the fact was
that they were well known and influential
men, and should have been punished. John
son protected them. His policy became so
dangerous that begged to retire and Gen
Candy, of Modoc fame, succeeded me. But
his administration WAS the same as my own
1t was simply q military necessity to have
murderers punished, the innocent protected,
and industry encouraged. thought that the
laws of Congress should be enforced, free la
Dor upheld, and all citizens, white or black,
allowed their rights at the polls and in their
daily avocations. There was no difference of
opinion between Grant, Sherman, Thomas,
Meade, Sheridan, Hancock and myself in re.
gard to reconstruction and the enforcement
of the law. President johnson was opposed
to our views. He had policy of his own,
which WAS well understood and the subject
of private discussion among the generals.
They were all generous to the South and lcy-
al to the government.
Later when President johnson began his
lukew arm policy, he was sustained by such
men as Raymond, Evarts and Horatio Sey-
mour. When they prepared to hold a place
meeting or what was called a brotherly love
convention at Philadelphia, Mr.. Stanto n
wrote me about it, and Johnsons leaning
toward the movement was considered. |
wrote back that it would not be successful !;
that the country preferred Gen. Grant and his
policy to Horatio Seymour and the milk and
water policy proposed by his co-operators.
The people neither wanted vindictiveness
nor gush. Gen. Grant had the right idea of
the situation and the generals of the army
were with him. He said nothing until he was
sure of his position. Then to friends only,
he spoke intelligentiy and without reserve,
and always to the point"
Gen. Horace Porter was aid-de-camp to
Gen. Grant at the headquarters of the army
in Washington, during the occurrences mar
rated by Mr.. Depew. Gen. Grant was in
the habit of talking with him about affairs
- they progressed, so that Gen. Porter was
additionally posted a. to all that happened.
Gen. Porter says:
TT was just about two months after the
war ended that Gen. Lee applied for amnesty
and pardon. The application was sent to
Gen. Grant, who put the following endorse
ment upon it Respectfully forwarded
through the secretary of war to the President
with the earnest recommendation that the ap-
rlcation Of Gen. Robert E. Lee tor amnesty
and pardon may be granted him. Gen
Grants Recommendation was not complied
with, and soon after il was found that Presi.