Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-10-24

ers they had before the war. lie had
perfected a scheme to accomplish this
result and with General Grants assist
ance its success was assured. He
would by proclamation direct the reb-
ell states to send 10 Washington their
full quota of senators and representa-
tives He had assurances from enough
members from the north who, united
with them, would make a quorum of
the house at least, if not both. The
congress thus formed he would recog-
nize aud install at the capitol. If the
other northern members did not
choose TO join they would be power
less rump meeting in some other
hall.
To the Generals suggestion that this
would start the civil war afresh, the
President replied: "They who do it
will be the rebels, but if you sustain
me resistance is impossible lie APP
pealed to Grant TO stand by him III the
crisis and they would be the saviors OF
the republic. After endeavOring Tor n
long time in vain to convince the Pres
ident of the folly of such a cOur,e and
its certain failure, no matter who sus-
tanned il. Grant finally told him that
ne would drive the congress so consti-
tuted out of the Capitol at the point of
the bayOnet, give possession TO the
senators and representatives from the
loyal states and protec, them. Ii ne
cessary he would appeal to the coun-
try and to the army he had so recent
" mustered out of service.
Int hA
not recognize the powers vested in the
President by the constitution, and if
he would refuse to obey the Comman-
der-ia-Chief. General Grant said that
under such circumstances he most GER
tainly would.
Shortly afterward the president sent
for Gen. Grant, and said TO him that
the relations of our government with
Mexico were very delicate, and he
wished hun to go to the City of Mex
leo at once on an important mission.
The general knew that this was to get
him out of the way and put it in the
power Of the president to call, as his
successor, to Washington some officer
upon whom he could rely. He replied
that if the appointment was diplo-
matte one he declined il; if it was a
military one he refused to obey, be-
cause the general of the army could
not be ordered to foreign country
with which we were at peace. The III
terview was stormy one, but the
subject was dropped.
One day the general was sent out on
a tour of inspection. He knew that
Gen. Sherman was TO be his successor,
aud in him he had absolute
confidence. The outspokcn 10y
atty of that great soldier
prevented the project ever being re-
newed. Ii is at this date needless to
speculate upon what might have hap
pened had General Grant actively as
sisted or passively obcyed the Presi-
dent. No one doubts the courage and
obstinacy of Andrew Jackson, and
only man of equal firmness and de-
termination could have prevented
most calamitous and unfortunate
strife at the most critical period of the
of the Republic. Yours
very truly, CHAUNCEY M.DEPEw.
To Col. Frederick ID. Grant.
New YORK, October 20, 1885.
DEAR Mr. DEEPEN: am in receipt
of Your letter, and thank you for your
response to my request. | have read
YOUR account with great interest. IL
is substantially correct, and | have
been able TO verify the facts from doc
uments, letters and personal recol-
lection. Yours very truly,
r. u. GRANT.
To Hon. Chauncey NJ. Depew.