The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-24
eESERAL uENDERsoN
On the Controversy Between General Graz
And President Jnhuson.

Ou tne SoutEoNoEhy oetNSoh NVuOAaA NA-A4e
And Preyidsnt Jnhnson.
Sr. LOUIS, Oct. 23.-Touching the ques.
ton as to whether General Grant did or
did not favor the impeachment OF Presi-
johnson, as raised by the recent corre-
spondcnce between Colonel Grant and
Mr. Chauncey Depew, the Globe Democrat
this morning prints the following state.
ment made by General John B. Hender-
son, who was in the Senate at that time,
and will be remembered as one OF the very
few Republican senator's who voted against
impeachment. General Henderson was
also an intimate friend Of General Grant,
aud had superior opportunities OF know
ing that gentleman's views at that time.
The statement is as follows:
There were tao separate aud distinct
movements to impsach President John
son. One was 10 the House in December,
1867, Immediately on the assembling d
congress. 1t was based on the action Of a
committee appointed during the special
session OF Congress in July, 1867, TO inves-
tigate and repart whether 1t was advisable
to impeach Mr.. johnson. speak only by
memory, but at least action was taken in
December, end the proposed articles Of
Impeachment were voted down by very
large majority"
General Grant was then acting as Sec.
retary OF War, and as a member OF MIR.
Jehnsen's cabinet, and | have various
reasons for stating that at that time he
was opposed to the impeachment Of Mr..
Johnson. General Grant had accepted the
position OF Secretary Of War in the pre-
eedinS August, On the suspension Of Ed
win II. Stanton by the President, under
the provisions OF the tenure Of Office act.
That act provided that in cases where the
President suspended an officer, his reasons
ior the suspension and the name OF the
pro tsm appointment should be submitted
10 the Senate. II the Senate approved the
suspension, the old Incumbent stood re.
moved. II the Senate refused to concur,
the new nomination fell and the old
incumbent resumed his place. Within
the required time after the Assem-
bling ot the Senate, in September, 1867,
Mr.. johnson, in obedience 10 the require
ments Of the tenrIe-of-othce act, submit
ted his reasons for the suspension OF Mr..
stanton to the Senate, which were referred
10 the appropriate committee, and as re-
member it nov, without looking 70 the
records, that committee made N adverse
report within q short time after the con-
Vsning OF Congress. The Senate pro-
ceGded in executive session, and finally.
late at night, came ~ final vote, sus-
tanning the report OF the committee and
overruling the Presidents action Ill sus'
pending Mr.. Stanton. Under the law this
vote ipso facto reinstated Mr.. Stanton and
removed General Grant.
STATIONS POSITION.
"The rext morning Mr.. Stanton appear
ed at the War Office at an early hour, and
before the arrival of General Grant, and on
the arrival Of General Grant Mr.. Stanton
informed him Of the action OF the Senate,
and sail he was now sgain Secretary Of
War. General Grant retired, and in a
few days occurred the scene between Mr..
johnson and General Grant in the Execu.
tive Mansion, and in the present OF all the
Cabinet, possibly except Mr.. Seward. In
that interview, it will be remembered, Mr..
johnson stated to General Grant that he
Grant had accepted the portfolio Of the
War Department with the agreement
that, in ease the Senate disagreed
wit the action Of the President in re.
moving Mr.. Stanton, he Grant, would
either hold the Office and contest
with Mr.. stanton the coustitutionality
of the tenufe-oi.oiSee act, or in the
event OF his willingness to doso, he would
Siys timely noticethereof to the President,
| IN order that the President might substi'
tute the name OF some other person, who
contest the validity Of the act 10 question
With Mr.. stanton. Mr.. johnson claimed
that, in his opinion, the act was unconsti.
ltutioual. ana declared that he was led to
believe that General Grant concurred
with him in such opinion. As to what
was said and done in that interview, Gen
eral Grant and the President seriously
differed, and the members Of the Cabinet
prefent were called upon to suostantate
the Presidents version.
"Up to that time never knew or heard
OF any serions Misunderstanding between
General Grant and Mr.. johnson, and
an satisfied that up to that period Genera
Grant was opposed TO any action looking
to the impeachment Of Mr.. johnson. A
short time after the difficulty, which, st
Tar as could understand, involved nothinI
but o question oil verRcity between thI
parties. can state positively that Gen
eral Grant became . warm and zealou
advocate Of impeachment, and continued
80 until the final vote on the subject.
speak only from memory as TO dates, bu
the substantial facts, as to dates, are cor
Governor E. G. Ross, Of New Mexico
who was then in the United States Senate