The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-15

President was not allowed to dismiss minister
before the end of his term. DE WAS at liberty
however, during the recess OF Congress, TO sus-
pend any officer for cause. but must report the
cause to the Senate when it reassembed. IT.
then, the Senate concurred, the of1cer was dis
missed: If not, he was restored ms law, IL
was matter of notoriety. had especial reference
to the Secretary of War. 1t passed in
March, and Congress adjourned on the 2Uth OF
July
Eleven days afterward, Mr.. johnson sent for
Grant and informed him that he intended to
suspend Stanton, and at the same time remove
Sheridan from New Orleans. He stated also
that he meant to appoint Grant himself Secre-
tary or War ad interim. There could be no pos
sible doubt of the purpose of this proceeding 1t
was intended to nullify as far as possible the
action OF Congress, to punish men for striving to
execute the law, to hinder the Reconstruction
policy. johnson could hardly have hoped to
accomplish much by putting Grant in Stantons
place. Still the soldier was less unbendlng In
manner than the Secretary, less uncompromis-
Ing In the appearance of hostility, his military
habit of subordination may even yet have misied
the President. He certainly was less skilled In
the arts of political chcanery, and johnson may
have thought it possible still to inveigieor over
reach him. But the especial object, douotless
was not so much to manage Grant as TO af1ect
the people, to produce the impression in the
country that Grant was in accord with the al
msnistration, and that by entering the Cabinet at
this crisis he was Offering proof or his S. mpatny
with the President.
There was personal reason why johnson
doubtless wished to foster this idea. 1t was plain
by this time that Grants popularity was likely
to make him presidential candidate. and the
belief thai he sustained johnson would destroy
his hold on the Republicans Grant had indeed
so successfully concealed his opposition to the
President from the public knowledge that the
mass of the people could easily be led to sup
pose he was Johnson's adherent. This, OF course,
would antagoniza the Republicans, while with
the Presidents party the President himself was
chief. Grant was probably the only rival
that johnson feared He hattered himself
he could defeat any other candidate OF the lie
publicans, so that by making Grant impossible
he would secure his own success Thus the ad-
ministration undoubtedly hoped to enjoy the
benefit of Grants popularity at the very moment
they were seeking to undermine 1t; bit or craft
worthy of Machiavelli.
But Grant protested earnestly against the en-
tire proposition. He did this at once in CONVEX
sation, when Johnson declared his design, and
on his return to his headquarters he wrote the
famous letter marked Private" which had al
ready been given to the world. | quote the por-
ton referring to Stanton.
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES
WASHINGTON, d. T., Aug. 1, 1857. )
[Private.l
ellis Fxceliency. A. johnson. President of the United
''Sir-I take the liberty of addressing you pr
vately on the subject Of the conversation we mad
this morning. feeling as do the great danger to
the designs then expressed.
First on the subject Of the displacement o.
the Secretary of War. His removal cannot be
effected against his will without the consent of
the United States Senate was in ses
sion, and why not then have asked for
this removal If it was desred2 II certainly was
the intention of the legislative branch of the
Government to place Cabinet Ministers beyond
the power of executive removal, and it is pretty
we'll understood that, SO far as Cabinet Minis
ters affected by the tenure-of-office bill, it
was intended specially to protect the Secretary
Of War, whom the country felt great confidence
in. The meaning of the law may be explained
away by an astute lawyer. but common sense
and the views OF loyal people will give to it the
effect intended by its trainers
I'm conclusion, allow me to say as friend,
desiring peace and quiet. the welfare of the
whole country, North and South that it is in my
opinion more thar the loyal people OF this coun-
try Il mean those who supported the govern
meant during the great rebellion) will quietly
submit to, to see the very men of all others who
they have expressed confidence in. removed
II would not have taken the liberty OF ad-
dressing the executive of the United States thus.
but for the conversation on the subject alluded
to in this letter, and from sense of duty, feel
ing that know am right in this matter.
with great respect, your obedient servant,
~. S. GRANT, General"
There were several interviews within the next
few days In which tks subordinate strove to
johnson remained immovable. Grant had at
once informed both Stanton and Sheridan of the
Presidents purpose, as we'll as others In his con-
fdence. These last were few, for Congress was
not in session, and the principal people whom he
might have consulted were absent. He discussed.
however with Stanton the course he should pur-
sue in case the President persisted. 1t was
agreed that his duty in that event was to accept
the position preferred and, as far as possible.
prevent further mischief. He could take mp
Stanton's course when Stanton was no longer in
the Cabinet, and thus mitigate some of the evils
of his removal
The protests of Grant delayed Johnson's &C
ton just five DAYS Then, on the 9Th of August,
in a formal letter, the President requested Stan
tons resignation The same day Stanton
swered. also in writing that public considera
tions of a high character constrained him from
resigning before the next meeting of Congress-"
Again johnson hesitated for week, but on the
18th of August he issued an order in strict &C
cordance with the provisions of the tenure-of
Office act suspendins Stanton and appointing
Grant Secretary of War ad interim.
Grant thereupon addressed the following let
ter to Stanton:
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE U. s..
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. IL, 1867. 5
s'Sir-Enclosed herewith have the honor to
transmit to you copy Of a letter just received
from the President of the United States, notify
ing me of my assignment as Acting Secretary of
War, and directing me to assume those duties at
once
I'm notifying you OF my acceptance, cannot
let the opportunity pass without expressing to
you my appreciation of the zeal, patriotism, firm
ness and ability with which Won have discharged
the duties of Secretary of War. With great re-
spect your obedient servant,
~. S. GRANT General.
ITO Hon. Edwin N. Stanton. Secretary of War;"
To this Stanton replied as follows:
WAR DEPA RTMENT,
''WAsHINGTON Cry, Aug. IL, 1S67.}
of doS
MED by a copy of letter addressed to you, Aug.
IL, by the President. appointing you Secretary Of
war ad interim, and informing me of your ac-
ceptauce of the appointment, has been received.
Under sense of public duty am compelled
to deny the Presidents right, under the Consti-
tuition and laws of the United States to suspend
me from Office as Secretary of War, or to author
ize any other person to enter upon the discharge