Year: 1867

tulneu COuulliOu' anu biStSi SfHh VI
antagonism seems to have resulted from
General Sheridan's management lie has
rendered himself exceedingly obnoxious
by the manner in which he has exercised
even the powers conferred by Congress,
and still more so by lesort to authority
not granted by law nor necessary to his
faithful and efficient execution His rule
has in fact been one of absolute tyranny
without reference to the principles ofour
government, or the value of our free in
stitutions. The state ofatlairs which has
resulted from the course he has pursued,
has seriously interferred with a harmoni-
Gus and satisfactory and speedy execu-
ton of the acts of Congress, and is alone
sufficient to justify change His re
moval. therefore, cannot be regarded as
an effc.t to defeat the laws of Congress,
for the object is to facilitate their execu-
ton through an officer who has never
failed to obey the laws and to exact with
in his jurisdiction like obedience of
others. 1t cannot be Interpreted by the
unreconstructed element Of the South,
those who did all they could to break up
this government by arms and now wish
to be the only element consulted as to
the method of restoring order, as tri


umph;' for as intelligent men they must
know that the mere change Of military
commanders cannot alter the law, and
that General Thomas will be as much
bound by its requirements as General
Sheridan. il cannot embolden them to
renewed opposition to the will OF the
loyal masses, believing that they have the
Executive with them, for they are perfect
" familiar with the antecedent of the
President, and know that he has not OBJ
structed the faithful execution of any
act of Congress. No one, as you are
aware, has higher appreciation than my
self of the services of General Thomas,
and no one would be less inclined to as
sist him to a command not entirely TO his
wishes. Knowing him as do, cannot
think he will hesitate moment to obey
my orders, having in view complete
and speedy restoration of the Union, to
the preservation of which he has render


ed such important and valuable service.
| General Hancock, known to the whole
country as gallant, able and patriotic
soldier, will, have no doubt, sustain his
high reputation in any position to which
he may be assigned. If, as you observe.
the department which he will have is
complicated one, feel confident that un-
der the guidance and instruction of Gen


Sherman, General Sheridan will soon be-
come familiar with its necessities, and
will avail himself of the opportunity af


forded by the Indian trouble for the dis
play of the energy, enterprise and daring
which gave him so cnviable q reputation
during our recent struggle. In assuming
that it is the expressed wish of the peo-
pie that General Sheridan should not be
removed from his command, you remark
that this is a Republic based, however,
upon written Constitution. That Con-
stitution is the combined and expressed
will of the people; and their voice is law
when reflected in the manner which that
instrument prescribes. While one of its
provisions makes the President Com
mander- in Chief of the Army and Navy,
another revuires that he shall take care
that the laws be faithfully executed. Be-
lieving q change in command in the Fifth
Military District to be absolutely neces-
sary for faithful execution of the law,
have issued the order which is the sub
ject of this correspondence In thus ex-
ercising power that inheres in the ex-
ecutive, under the Constitution, as Com
mander- in Chief Of the Army and Navy,
am discharging duty required Of me
by the will of the nation, as formally de-
clared in the supreme law Of the land.
BY his oath, the Executive is solemnly
bound, to the best of his ability, to pre-
serve, protect and defend the Constitu-
ton, and, although in times Of great ex-
citement it be lost to public view, it is
his duty, without regard to consequences,
to himself to hold sacred and in force any
and all OF its provisions. Any other
course would lead to the destruction OF
the Republic, for the Constitution once
abolished there would be no Congress
for the exercise Of legislative powers
no Executive to see that the laws are
faithfully executed--no Judiciary to af-
ford to the citizen protection for life,
limb and property. Usurpation would
inevitably follow, and despotism be
fixed on the people in violation Of their
combined and expressed will In conclu-
sion fail to perceive any military, pc
cuniary or patriotic reasons why this or
der should not be carried into effect. You
will remember that in the first instance
did not consider General Sheridan the
most suitable man for the command OF
the Fifth Military District. Time has
strengthened my conviction upon this
point and led me TO the conclusion that
patriotic considerations demand that he
should be superseded by an officer, who,
while he will faithfully execute the law,
will at the same time give more general
satisfaction to the whole people, white
and black. North and South, am, Gen.
eral, very respectfully yours,


ANDREW JOHNSON.


To General r. s Grant Secretary OF