Year: 1867




kept according TO the language of bill of rights in
strict subordnaon to tue civil authority" Whenever
this lesson y not both learned and practsed there can
be political freedom. II is absurd preposterous,
II is scon and satire constitutional liberty, for
forms OF government to be prescribed by military lead
ers and the right Of suffrage 10 be exercised al he point
l confidently believe that time win come when these
States Will again occupy their true positions in the
Union The barriers which now seem 80 obstinate
yield TO the force OF enlightened and just public
opinion, and. sooner or later, Unconstitutional and op
pressive legislation will be efaced from our statute
/ books When this shall have been consummated pray
God that the errors Of the past be forgotten and that
people, and that at last, after the bitter and evenfu
experience through which the nation has passed, We
shall all come 70 know that only safety Is in the
preservation OF our federal constitutions and accord
ing To every American citizen and TO every State the
| ANDREW JOHNSON
The sheridan-WeIIs Controyersy-A Spicy
Letter from Governor Wells.
GOVERNOR WELLS TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
STATE OF LouisIANA, ExscuTIvE DEPARTMENT
NEW ORLEANS, June 4, 1867
Telegram


To his Excclcncy ANDREW JOHNSON, President Of the
In advance OF communication by mail respectfully
and earnestly protest against the Of General Sheri
removing from office as o usurpation OF power
on his part and to crafty feeling OF personal malice
toward me, because dared TO appeal from his unal-
thorzed and arbitrary exercise Of power in appointing
Governor OF Louisiana
SAME SANE.
by mail


STATE OF LOUISIANA, ExEcrrivE DEPARTMENT,
NEW ORLEANS, June 4, 1867
| To his Exceency ANDREW JoHSsoy President of the
United states


| sIR-The enclosed order from General Sheridan re.
your as 10 the question OF his power to do
So AS to the reasons assigned by him for taking this
stepviz, that have mpeded him in the execution of
denial to the accusation am prepared to establish
the truth Of This assertion II Is deny pretext
daa myse o@ s
| personal attacka Had the General stated that
was an "impedment' in the way TO the gratidcaon
Of his inordinate ambition make himself grea. man.
His abuse Of me personally do not condescend to no.
tice His eminent skill in that line is well known to
this community That he should so far dearade the
Of his malice may surprise you, not me- who know
his reckless habits


make your Excelency party to the personal quar-
Of General sheridan and myself 1t is foreign to the
a%Sar ns % ~n0H M hva %ay @
civil officers under provisional governments or
the States established thereby, other words, II
act and definitely expressed.


Knowing that this question, touching the general
powers Of the military commanders Hereunder particu-
larry growing Of the frequent exercise or the removing
power by General Sheridan is under consideration
nv removal in connscon nersMh as smother in
Of the illegal exercise OF power by General Sher
dan Believing the importance Of the question involved





your obedient servant, ]. MADISON WELLS,
Governor OF the state Of Louis ANA.
GOVERNOR GENERAL SHERIDAN
STATE LOUISIANA, Executive DEPARTMENT. !
New ORLEANS, June T. 1867.
To Major General p. II. SHERIDAN, commanding Fifth
Military district


GEyERAL-I had the honor receive at the hands OF
Of your orderes this morning, At haf-pas three
O'Clock, at my residence in Jefferson q written
document purporng TO be especial Orders No.
59," in which you promulgate that you have
removed me from the office Of Governor Of Louisiana
For the delicate consideration you displayed in de-
lverng your order at that early hour owe you many
thanks as suppose you meant that should enjoy one
good nights sleep before my decapitaon Il may ap-
pear ungracious In me to dsappont your expectations
but strange TO say the effect OF your order did not drive
sleep from my cyeds. returned TO my couch with
feeling Of relief that my fate was no worse When the
morning paper came containing COPY Of your telegram
the Secretary or War; again congratulated myself on
my mercfu sentence, as knowing your ideas Of the
unlimited power you possess I might have been
demned TO the Dry Tortugas, or been shot by drum
head court martial From the tono and temper OF that
document IL u very evident General you were IN one
Of your wrathy moods when You pennsd II and that