The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-18


cific purpose, and only recognized present civil
authorities within these districts, at all, for the
convenience of their commanders, to make use
| of, so much of them suited them, and as
would aid them in carrying out the congressional
| plan of restoring loyal permanent governments.
One thing is very certan The law con-
! templates that district commanders shall be their
| own judges of the meaning of its provisions.
They are responsible to the country for its faith
| full execution. Any opinion from the Attorney
| general should be duly weighed, however
| The power of removing district commanders
undoubtedly exists with the President, but no
| officer is going to be hurt by faithful perform
| ance of his duty. Ny advice to you is that you
make no more removals than you find absolutely
necessary. That you make none whatever ex-
| cept it be for the grossest disregard of the law
and your authority. until you see what decisions
are to be made. That then you make up your
mind fully as to the proper course to pursue,
/ and pursue it. without fear, and take the conse-
| quences. / would not advise you to any course
that would not pursue myself under like cir
cumstances. nor do | believe that / advise you
| against your own inclinations l will keep you
advised officially or otherwise OF all that affects
! you think 1t will be well for you 20 send me
| a statement OF your reasons for removing her
| ron. Abel and Monroe. 1t may not be called
| for, but twice the question has been asked why
| you removed them"
This letter marks what to me was new de-
velopment in Grants character. He was be-
coming accustomed to the wiles that he found
he must fight, and at this period displayed a
greater degree of adroitness than often noticed
| in him, before or afterward. The skill with
which he points out to Sheridan how to avoid a
premature conflict with the executive; the nice
| point he makes that, though the Attorney gen
erals opinion is entitled to weight, commanders
are their own judges of the law and responsible
| to the country; the provision with which he
asks for a statement of Sheridan's reasons, so
| as to be ready to meet a hostile demand
ARE all worthy of an experienced politician
The fact is that Grant a close observer and
an apt scholar; his experience with Andrew
johnson taught him that frankness with such
an opponent was giving away the game. and he
never liked to be beaten He was always good
at cards. and had learned to avoid showing his
hand. / have heard men say that Grant was the
profoundest dissembler of his time. cannot
concur in the opinion; nevertheless, though he
never pretended, he concealed withheld a
great deal from friends as well as foes. He
did not furnish copy OF this letter to Mr.. john
| son.
At the same time that he wrote to Sheridan he
! sent the following letter to Washburne:
| Everything is getting on we'll here now under
| the congressional reconstruction BILL and all
will be well if administration and copperhead in
| fiuence do not defeat the objects OF that meas
ure. So far there has been no absolute interior
ence with the acts of district commanders, all of
| whom carrying out the measures of Congress
| according to the spirit Of these acts, but much
| dissatisfaction has been expressed at Sheridans
| removal of the New Orleans civil officers. Sher-
| idan has given public satisfaction, however In
his present capacity he shows himself the same
| fearless, true man he did IN the field. He makes
| no mistakes.
| see no possible chance of getting abroad this
| year am not egotistical enough to suppose
| that my duties cannot be performed by others
/ just well as myself, but Congress has made 1t
| my duty to perform certain offices, and whilst
| there is antagonism between the executive and
| the legislative branches of the government,
| feel the same obligation to stand at my post
! that l did whilst there were rebel armies in
| the field to contend with.
| During the contest between the President and
| Congress an incident occurred that illustrates
| one of the traits of Grant little known to the
world at large-hs regard for the feelings of
those whom he cared for. was not converted
so soon as he to the belief that harsh measures
were necessary in the treatment of the South,
and he was always willing to listen to the opin-
ions of those about him on important affairs
| recollect discussing the situation with several
other officers in his presence, and maintained
my views with fervor though they were contrary
to his own. The controversy became excited,
and Grant himself took part. At last he ex-
claimed: "Why, Badeau; I believe you are a
copperhead." felt the blood mount to my fore
| head at the taunt, SO unusual from him, and
could hardly speak for a moment. Then STAN
mered that thought my past might have saved
hat n af 1oac hoaH af he
| army. But the words were only half spoken
when he interrupted and retracted what he had
said with tones and gances that repaid me for
all the pain he had inflicted. All that day he
took care in hundred little ways to do me kind
| nesses and to show that he was striving to make
| amends For this stubborn silent soldier was as
| consderate for the sensitiveness of friend as
ever he was anxious for the welfare of the State
or for victory over rebellious enemy.
ADAM BADEAU
! HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, d. O., Feb IL, 1882.
GDear Radeau- T rather like the
idea of your preparing history of Reconstruct
tion only it seems to me that it will be tight
squeeze to get all the essential facts into small
volume of the size of Scribuer 1t will be better
to collect the materials and allow the size to
result from them. Reconstruction was a corol-
larry of the war; and forms continuation of the
subject-matter Of your past work, and it so hap
pens that your hero in war leader in the re-
construction. So see no reason why it should
not form fourth volume.
''In whatever you may undertake you have
nv best wishes. w. Z. SHERMAN"
Precautions.
Emira Gazette.
"Say you are a fortune teller, amt you9"
bluntly INQUIRED a gentleman the other day as