River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-10-29
GEN. GRANT AND ANDREW JOHNSON.

GEN. GRANT AND ANDREW JOHNSON.
Hon Chauncey NJ Del ew, Of New York,
has made public statement which is the
sensation Of the day aud creating great
deal of discussion. The letter states that
about four years ago the writer sat at
dinner with Gen. Grant, during which the
general related incidents Of his trip around
the world aud also stated something OF his
relations with Andrew johnson during the
stormy period of reconstruction. The fol
loving is Mr. Depew's statement of what
Gen Grant told him:
johnson began the day after the assassi-
nation Of Mr.. Lincoln TO loudly proclaim,
at all times and places, with constant reit-
Grafton ohe ShibbOeth, Treason is odious
and must be punished. and the chief rebels
shall be hung To give effect to this sent
imeut, as soon as he was inauguTated he IN
sisted UpOn the United States courts in
Virginia finding Indictments against all
the leading members of the contederacy
he also wanted the officers in the rebel
array. who had left the regular army to
ioin the rebellion, to be summarily dealt
with by court-martial. These movements
of the President produced the greatest con
steruation throughout the South. The con
federate leaders appealed to Grant to pro-
saw johnson on the subject, Gully to be in
formed that the President was, by the con-
stit' ton. commander iu-chief of the army,
and that any thing done by the command
ing general on the field was done subject to
his approval or rejection, aud he rejected
the terms. Gen Grant urged that the
rebels had surrendered on these conditions,
diSbauded their organizations, submitie I
universally 30 the situation, and were car
rYtug out in good faith their part OF the
agreement, aud every consideration OF hoth
honor and eXpedIenCY demanded equally
GOOD faith on the part OF the government,
The other course Nould have led 10 an end
less guerrilla warfare couiucted in cOun-
try admirably adapted for IL hy desperate
and homeless men Johnson ObStinateiy
adhered to his view. and assumed the
authority ofcOmmander, when Grant fatty
told him that il there were to he any court
martials one must be called TO try Gen
Grant first; that he would 10y every means
in his power protect his parole, and appeal
to congress aud the country,
In the halt called by This attitude Of Gen
Grant q very remarkable change occurred
in the views and policy of President John
son. Gen. Grant discovered that the most
frequent and favored visitors % the white
house were the men whom the president
had prescribed Ia the generals opinion
Johnson 5 loyalty was subordinate to, if
not entirely dependent upon. his entire en-
nifty TO the Slave-hOldlug oBgarChY. He
was poor white, had been Jourueyman
tailor, and, notwithstanding the distin-
guisbed public positions he bad held, he
could not break through the class barrier
and was treated socially with contempt by
his proud aristocracy. When they plunged
into rebellion he saw his opportunity, He
believed ia the power Of the government,
and thought that he time had come when
he could defeat his enemies, confiscate their
property. humiliate their pride, aud posi-
bIv destroy them he absorbing ambition
and passion of his life had been to be re
caiee6 aud treated As one 81 them BY chs
olirarehy Having failed il that and suf
fered insult and indignity ia the effort, he
became one OF the most Yindictive Of men
He saw them fail IN their rebellion de
feated and impoverished, and now he
wanted to kill them While be was devils
ing means TO overcome Gen. Grants resist