The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-19

| gested that similar apprehension might have
influenced some of the Republican Senators who
had voted for acquittal
As years went by Grants Judgment changed
on several points in regard to which at this time
he was very decided. He found the tenure of
| Office act great obstruction to his own author
| ity as President, and was anxious for a
much greater modification of its provisions
than Congress was willing to concede. Yet
he had been strongly in favor of curtailing
Johnson's powers. He justified this apparent
inconsistency by declaring that the times had
been unusual, the man exceptional; and that
what was Indispensable Immediately after a
great civil CONFUSION in order to prevent further
commotion and possibly reveution was unnec
essary and indefensible in the ordinary years of
peace. Grant indeed was never willing to let
constitutional restrictions bind the state that
it could not save itself. He was full of rever-
ence for law, but that the Sabbath was made
for men and not man for the Sabbath, was
doctrine to which in all things he subscribed.
| He was heartily glad when the turmoil of the
impeachment was over, and entirely satisfied to
have prominent Republican like Evarts accept
seat in Johnson's Cabinet There were many
in his party who dsapproved the course of Ev-
arts at this juncture. They were indignant even
that he should defend the President profession
ally. and still more when he consented to become
| o member of Johnsons government But Grant
| himself had set the precedent and could not con-
denim the man who followed it. Both he and
Stanton had held places in the same Cabinet
% ha IF SIC oh of. nd ha
thought and said that Evarts, especially as the
legal adviser Of the administration, might be
able to act as useful check. and thus do the
country important service He was glad, ALSO to
have man in the Cabinet with whom he could
sympathize
The result of the trial was a crushing and in
tolerable blow to Stanton, from which he never
recovered. Although there lacked but one vote
of the wothirds Of the Senate necessary to
convict the President, the verdict was in some
sort condemnation of the Secretary 1t i'm
piled that he should not have remained in the
| Cabinet, against the will of his chief and it
made it imperative on him Immediately to resign
General Schofeld was at once nominated by
the President for the position of Secretary of
War. Grant still retained some of the heat of
| bQ00
in command at Richmond: under the circum
stances l advise you to decline the Secretaryship
in advance" But Schofield started for Washing
| ton ard went at once to visit Grant who revised
| his opinion, and Schofield entered the Cabinet
with the full concurrence of the General in Chief
| He displayed rare ability in his difficult position.
| He was able to perform his duties with eff
cheney; to satisfy the President and at the same
time not to offend the Legislature nor the party
| that had sought to overthrow his chief. The
subordinate of Grant in the army, and his per-
sonal friend-owing, indeed, to Grant much of
his advancement-he behaved to his great in
ferior with consummate tact and delicacy, defer
ring to him whenever this was proper, and new
ertheless maintaining the dignity of his own
position. Their relations were always extremely
cordial. With Evarts and Schofeld in the Cab
met. Grant was able, even as the candidate of
the party that was so hostile to the President.
to retain something like concord with the gov
| ernment.
EXTRACT FROM LETTER OF HON. EDWARDS PIERRE
| POINT TO GENERAL BADEAU.
81 knew johnson personally; not very well.
but we'll enough to see that he had immense
| cunning and persstency, and it seemed clear to
me that in the contest with his Secretary of
| War, the President. clothed with all the powers
of his great Office would in the end prevail, and
that Stanton would sometime, somehow, be
ousted from his place, and our long intimacy
| thought, warranted me in writing him the most
earnest letter that could pen, urging him to re-
| sign, In the very beginning of the contest
| with his chief. / now have his reply in
which he says that his wife warmly ndorsed my
letter, but that every other friend was against it;
that those in the Senate and the House who had
stood so faithfully by him during the war i'm
| plored him to remain; and that duty, patriotism
| and fidelity to parry all demanded that he should
| Stick l was in Washington and
dined with the Secretary at his house in K
| street, the day when General Grant an
nounced to Stanton that the President had
urged him General Grant) to accept the office
of Secretary of War. and that the General had
accepted the offer. The day was warm and dur
| ing the early twilight we sat in the wide hall
with the street door open talking upon
this very subject, when General Grant came
slowly up the steps. After the usual greeting
and the passing of few words, the General
said to the Secretary that he wanted to speak
| with him, and the two retired to the library.
| They were absent from ten to fifteen minutes,
| and both looked troubled on their return The
General went away, only saying Good evening"
| Stanton, with suppressed agitation which was
very marked. but in calm language, told me the
| purport of the interview and of what Sumner
| and other Senators had said to make him
| Stick He then said: You Snd Mrs. Stanton
are the only ones who gave me good advice, and
ought to have followed it,"
| KiuA of Moo