Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-21

General Grants assistance. its success
was assured. He could by proclama-
ton direct the rebel States to send to
Washington their full quota Of senator's
end representatives. lie had assurances
from enough members from the North
who, united with them, would make a
quorum Of one house, at least, il not
both. The Congress thus formed, he
would recognize and install at the
Capitol. IL the other northern
members did not choose to join. they
would be powerless rump meeting in
some hall. To the Generals sngges-
ton that this would start civil war
afresh, the President replied: They
who do it will be the rebels but if you
sustain me, resistance is impossi-
ble." He appealed to Grant to stand
by him in the crisis, and they would be
the sayiours Of the republic. After en-
deavoring for long time in vain to con-
vince the President Of the folly of such
a course and its certain failure. no mat
ter who sustained it, Grant finally told
him he would drive the Congress
so constituted out OF Capitol at the
point Of the bayonet; give possession
of the building to the senator's and
representatives from the loyal States,
and protect them. II necessary, he
would appeal to the country and to the
army he had SO recently mustered
out Of service. johnson asked him
if he did not recognize the powers
vested in the President by the Con-
s,itution, and if he would refuse
TO obey the Commander in Chief?
General Grant said that under such
circumstances he most certainly would.
Shortly afterward the President sent
the relations of our Government with
Mexico were very delicate, and then
wished him TO go to the City Of Mexico
at once on very important mission.
The General knew this was to get him
out Of the way end put it in the power
of the President to call, as his success
sor, to Washington some officer upon
whom he could rely. lie replied that
il the appointment was diplomatic one
be declined it; if it was a military one
he refused to obey, because the Gen
eral of the Army could not be ordered
to foreign country with which we are
at peace. The interview was a stormy
one, but the subject was dropped. One
day the General was sent West on a
tour Of inspection. He knew General |
Sherman was to be his successor, and
in him he had absolute conf
Gence. The outspoken loyalty of
that great soldier prevented the |
project from ever being renewed.
1t is at this date needless to specu-
late upon what might have happened |
had General Grant actively assisted or
passively obeyed the President. No
one doubts the courage and obstinacy |
of Andrew johnson. and only man of
equal firmncss and determination could
have prevented a most calamitous and
unfortunate strife at most critical
period Of the reconstruction Of the re-
public. Yours very truly,
CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEw.
To Colonel Fred. ID. Grant.
New FORK, October 20.-Dsar Mr..
Depew am in receipt of your letter,
and thank you for your response to my
request. have read your account with
great interest. 1t is substantially cor
rect, and have been able to verify the
facts from documents, letters, ana per-
sonal rccollections.
Yours very truly.
T. ID. GRANT.
Hon. ChauHcey N. DepeT.