River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-10-29

ance to this last purpose, the leaders of
the OLD feudalism called upon him. They
admitted their former treatment and iusti-
fled it. They said that in all ages and
countries where cast distinctions existed
conditions were always possible which pro-
NOTED men who had achieved success from
the lower into the noble order. As presi-
dent OF the United States he became re-
CARELESS of birth or ancestry, not only a
member OF their order, but its leader.
johnson was wild with delight; ambition
and pride were both satisfied. lie became
as anxious to sustain and perpetuate in
some form system which had given the
highest social aud political distinction TO
few great families as he had been to destoy
it.
Grant did not have long to wait for the
formulation of his plan The president
sent for him, and said that the radical
measures of congress were revolutionary
aud would destroy the country, The war
was over, and the republic wanted peace.
and that was possible onlY by union of
all sections. The provincial Governments
provided for the seeded states were
temporary eXpedients, without cOnstitu-
tiouai authority. aud the states had all
the rights aud should possess all the powers
they had before the war lie had per-
fected a 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
a quorum of one house, at least, if not
both. The congress thus formed he would
recognize and install at the capital II the
other northern members did not choose to
join they would be a powerless ramp
meeting in some hall TO the generals
suggestion that this would start The civil
war afteSh, the president said "lhey
who do 1t will be the rebels, but II You
sustain me resistance is impossible" lie
appealed TO Grant to stand BY him IN the
crisis and they would be the saviours of
of the republic.
After endeavoring for a long time in
vain To convince the president of the folly
of such course and its certain failure, no
matter who sustained H. Grant finally
told him that he would drive the congress
SO constituted out OF the capitol AT the
point Of the bayonet, give possession Of
the building to the senator's and representa-
tives from the loyal states, and protect
them If necessary, he would appeal 10
the country and to the army he had 50
recently mustered out Of service.
Mr.. johnson asked him if he did not rec
ogni2e the powers vested in the president
/ by the constitution, and if he would refuse
to obey the commandrr-in-chief
Gen. Grant said that under such circum-
stances he most certainly would. Shortly
afterwards the president sent for Gen.
| Grant, and said to him that the relations
| of our government and Mexico were very
delicate, and he wished him TO go to
| the City of Mexico at once aud on very
important mission. The General knew
this was to get him out Of the country and
! put it in the power of the
president to caiI al his successor
| 70 Washington, some officer upon whom he
| could rely He replied that if the appoint
ment was diplomatic one he declined 1t;
! il 1t was a milit airy one he refused to obey,
/ because the general of the army could not
! be ordered to foreign country with which
/ we are at peace fhe interview was
| stormy one, but the subject was dropped.
| One day the general was sent west on
/ tour of Inspection He knew that General
| Sherman was to be his successor, and In
/ him he had absolute confidence. The out
| spoken lOya ty of that great soldier prevent
ed the project ever being renewed. IL is at
! this date needless to speculate upon what
might have happened had Gen. Grant ac-
/ lively assisted or passivelv Obeyed the
president. No one doubts the courage and
! obstinancy of Andrew johnson, and only
| a man of equal tifmness and determination
/ cGuld have prevented a most CalamjtOus
aud unfortunate strike at the most critical
! period Of the reconstruction of the repub-
lie. Yours very truly,
CHAUNcEY NJ DEPEw
To Col. Frederick ID Grant.
This publication has led to great con
| troversy and is, for the time the absorbing
topic of the daily papers. Interviews with
out limit are being printed pro and con
Johnson and Grant respectively. Gen.
sherman at first refused to talk but has
finally given an interview substantiating
Mr.. Depews statement. Surprise is quite
generally expressed that such a proposition
as that of Johnsou's should not have been
brought out upon. the impeachment trial
aud also that Gen. Grant should not have
/ made public in some more authentic form.
/ The agitation bids fair to continue until
I good deal of what has heretofore been I'M
/ written history of the final days OF the
/ rebellion becomes matter of permanent
record. AZ Col. Fred Grant requested the
/ statement from Mr. Depew lie may have
/ some written record Of his fathers substau-