The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-29

war; but on other occasions he rarely called me
anything but "Badeaun remember urging
some points upon him at this time which he dis
tinctly refused, because-so 1t seemed to me-
they belonged to the province Of the Secretary,
and Secretary Stanton would have refused
was surprised aud disappointed. and thought to
myself had he been only General Of the army
this would not have occurred
One day received letter fo- him from Ed
win Booth, requesting in the name of his aged
mother, that the remains of Wilkes Booth might
be privately restored to the family. The actor
represented the sufferings Of the family. the
most wretched" he said, ION EARTH and pleaded
that after the lapse of more than two full years
there could be no objection on public grounds
to the concession. Booth had been my
intimate friend for many years. / could
vouch for his loyalty, and knew how shocked and
lacerated he had been by the act that shocked
| the Nation. The letter was respectful and mod
crate. though manly in tone, and urged upon
Grant TO accede to the request But he was I'M
mutable. He said the time had not yet come
and the sternness veas so unusual in him that
thought it proceeded from the feeling have de-
scribed; that he meant to do what ne thought
Stanton would have done; and doubtless Stanton
would have refused.
In December Congress reassembled, and John
son was obliged by the tenure-of-office act to re-
port to the Senate within twenty days his rea-
sons for the suspension of Stanton. This he
did. and on the 18th Of January the Senate
resolved that the reasons we're insult
fcient BY the language of the law this
1aas ID k~H n~a,
had informed the President two days
before that he should instantly vacate
the Office IL such decision was made.
The President insisted that the law was un-
constitutional aud urged Grant to retain
the place; but Grant replied that he
would subject himself TO the penalties Of
fine and Imprisonment If he violated the
law. johnson offered to pay the fine and SUBJ
init to the imprisonment; but of course this was
preposterous, and Grant persisted in his deter
mination. This was on the 18th of January.
The President still would not accent the refusal.
and when Grant left the room johnson said he
would expect to see the General again.
The next day was Sunday, and as it was evil
dent that the Senate would not concur in the sus-
pension of Stanton, GRAFT was greatly concerned.
He was not anxious that Stanton should be re-
stored. for he felt that his power for good
was now ended, and that the workings of
the government would be needlessly thwarted by
the intrusion of an unwelcome Cabinet officer
upon the head of the state. Stanton could
hardly be expected to share this feelings
his personal triumph was concerned in
his restoration; but this to Grant
was less important consideration than
the public interest General Sherman
was in Washington at this time, and at Grants
request he went on Monday to the President to
urge him TO nominate Secretary who would be
acceptable to the Senate, so that Stanton might
be legally relieved. Grant proposed Ex-Governor
Cox, of Ohio, who was Republican, but not so
outspoken in his hostility to the President as
many Of his party. Grant thought this selec-
ton might bridge over the difficulty. He urged
this task on Sherman because the President had
always seemed to suppose that Sherman was
more in accord with his views than Grant The
Hon. Reverdy johnson also saw the President
and recommended the same course; but the
President did not accept the suggestion. Thus
Saturday, Sunday, Monday passed
1t was late on Monday, the 18th Of January,
when the Senate resolved that the causes for re-
moving Stanton were insufficient Grant at
tended levee of the President that night but
had only formal and unofficial conversation with
him. Early on the 14th Grant went to the Office
of the Secretary of War, locked and bolted the
door on the outside, and handed the key to the
Adjutantgeneral of the army II am to be
found at my Office" he said, Eat army headquar
ters." He then Immediately sent formal letter
to the President announcing that he had been
notified of the action of the Senate, and that by
the terms of the law his own functions as Score.
tary of War ceased from the moment of the re-
ception Of the notice
When Grant parted with the President on the
18th he supposed that he had given all the nee
essary notification to johnson Of his course
was with him. with other staff officers when he
left his headquarters with this intention, and
also on his return, when he stated what had &C.
Cured He declared that he had told Mr.. John
son that on no account could he consent to hold
the Office after the Senate should act. The
President persuaded and argued, and would not
be satisfied with Grants decision. Johnson was
always slow in arriving at decision, while
Grant was usually instantaneous in action when
the crisis came. johnson could not even now
determine what to do; he did not positively de-
cline to nominate Cox; he delayed on Sunday
and on Monday bat the Senate acted, and then
Grant did exactly what he had said he would do.
He gave up his Office, and Stanton at once took
possession.
This johnson had not intended to allow He
meant if possible that Grant should retain the
post SO as to enable him to test the constitution
atty of the law, and Grants prompt obedience
to the law Disconnected his plan. Still johnson
refused to recognize the action of Grant; and at
once summoned him to a Cabinet meeting.
Grant obeyed the message, and was addressed as
"Ar. Secretary He instantly disclamed the
title, and declared that ne had notified the Pres
ident that he could no longer serve in that ca