The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-29
GRANT IN PEACE.
NO. XIII.
Grant in the Cabinet. !.

It was August when Grant entered the Cabi-
net, and he remained there only until January.
The President, of course, was aware of the
views of his new Secretary of War. He had
Grants protest before him against the suspen-
sion OF Stanton; he had the knowledge of all
Grants previous acts. and could hardly have
doubted what his subsequent course would be.
But if be had any doubts they we're soon dis
PEELED. Within five days after Grant became
Secretary Sheridan was removed, and in his new
capacity Grant objected more emphatically than
ever He was overruled, but did not cease his
efforts to perform what he believed his duty,
and his whole term of service in the Cabinet was
marked by disputes and differences with the
President.
Nevertheless, the storm of indignation that
burst from the mass of the people At the North
on the supersedure of Stanton and Sheridan ex-
tended in some degree to Grant, when he was
seen to take Stantons place. Some of his
stanchest personal friends regretted his course
while politicians openly proclaimed that 1t indi-
Gated sympathy with Johnson's policy Grant
remained silent under the unmerited reproach
and continued, az far he was able, to carry out
tho Will OF those who thought he was opposing
them. He made strenuous efforts to induce the
President to retain the other district COM
manders at their posts, but Sickles was soon re-
lieved by Candy, and Pope by Meade; both for
the same political reasons which had brought
about the removal Of Stanton and Sheridan.
The two officers who were substituted, however,
were thoroughly imbued with the feeling of
their predecessors and of Grant,. They all be-
lievsd the law paramount to the will Of any one
man. and proceeded to execute the law in the
spirit in which it had been conceived.
Hancock. who followed Sheridan was the only
one who took different stand, He did all in
his power to thwart the congressional policy and
support the President. He issued proclamations
in direct contradiction of the spirit of the
struction measures, revoked important orders Of
Sheridan that had been approved by Grant,
and defed the popular feeling Of the
North. Grant repeatedly overruled him,
though the President made every
effort to uphold him; but the laws had by this
time been SO contrived that there was no posi-
bility Of frustrating their intention if Grant ex
nrcsed his full authority; and this he did not
hesitate to do. Hancock In a few months asked
TO be relieved, and his request was granted
The struggle with the President, however. con-
tinued; johnson lost no opportunity to control
events and maintain his own authority, in oppo-
sitien to that of Congress, and Grant steadily
pursued bis task of carrying out the reconstruc
ton measures as the recognized law of the land.
All this WHILE as Secretary of War, Grant was
obliged to attend Cabinet meetings. and was fire.
quently present at discussions and arrangements
the purpose and tenor of which he entirely dis
approved. This finally became so disagreeable
10 him that he requested the President to excuse
him from the purely political duties of a mem
Der of the government. He represented
that as an officer of the army he
might be called upon to serve under
different Presidents, holding opposite views. and
although he was always ready to obey legal or
ders or execute legal measures, it was not his
duty to concert policies or assist in the arrange
ment Of partisan plans He was hardly, he said.
q civil minister at all; he had not been confirmed
by the Senate. and was only holding Office until
the reassembl bling of Congress enabled the Presi-
dent to nominate permanent successor.
johnson. with his usual policy, paid no at
tenticn to these requests, and continued in
Grants presence the discussions to which he
was averse 80 that Grant might seem to sane
ton what he heard. Finally Grant determined
not to be entangled and committed in this way
against his will he attended the meetings to
which ne was summoned, submitted the papers
that required the concurrence Of his colleagues
or the approval of the President, and retired
as soon as the business of detail was trans
acted, thus plainly indicating to the administra-
ton that ne was not in harmony with its gen
eral views, and would not be identified with its
schemes.
It is proper to state here that when relate
what occurred in Cabinet meetings or make
other declarations of Grants action that could
only be learned from himself, the statement in
every case is made on his authority; generally
upon what he told at the time to me among
others. Not long after these occurrences
wrote out an account of them, especially of
Grants relations with johnson, which he read
and sanctioned, and which hs knew was to be
given to the world This is the foundation and
proof of much that am now publishing.
But although he was often obliged to dissent
In terms from what was proposed in Cabinet. he
did this as seldom and as unoffensively as posi-
BILE He was man who never sought quarrel
and it sometimes required downright ili-treat-
ment to provoke him. He was therefore cour
teous TO the chief whom he had not sought and
to the associates with whom he disagreed; and
succeeded as yet IN preserving amicable rela-
tons with them ALL The President in
vited him, and Grant Of course accepted
his invitation; his colleagues visited him and he
returned the courtesy; all of which produced
the impression upon the country which Grant
believed that Johnson desired 1t gave the APP
pearance of political support to the Presidents
unpopular course; it made many Republicans
hostile and provoked the criticism that Grant
was trimmer. Yet all the while he was doing
rs much as any Republican in rne land to fur
Their the views that Republicans entertained
Ho performed meanwhile all the routine du-
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