SECRETARY GRANT
When the President as
Commander-in-Chief directed General Grant to take charge of the War Department ad
interim the General had the alternative of obeying or resigning. He chose to obey, and
he chose wisely. Had he resigned Lieutenant-General Sherman would have been at the head of
the army under Andrew Johnson, and that is a result which is not to be desired. General
Grant in obeying the order to assume the charge of the Department avoids a consequence
which we must consider a misfortune, and secures an element of confidence and safety in
the Cabinet. The correspondence between him and Mr. Stanton shows a mutual respect and
trust which are very agreeable to the country as well as honorable to themselves. The
General informs the Secretary that he has been assigned as Acting Secretary of War, and,
in notifying him of the fact, expresses his appreciation of Mr. Stantons "zeal,
patriotism, firmness, and ability." In reply, Mr. Stanton denies the right of the
President to suspend him, yields to superior force, and cordially reciprocates the
sentiments of the General.General
Grant is now Secretary of War. In that office he is no more subject to the dictation of
the President than Mr. Stanton. He is to administer his office in the manner which he
considers best for the interests of the service and of the country. If the President
should order him to neutralize and oppose the policy of Congress, and to defeat the
intention of the law by the appointment of officers notoriously hostile to it, General
Grant will of course, decline, as Mr. Stanton would, and upon the President will be thrown
the responsibility of suspending him as he has suspended his predecessor. To suppose that
General Grant is to be the tool of Andrew Johnson is simply to misunderstand him
altogether.
If, after an interval longer or shorter,
the President should appoint some such person as Rousseau or Steedman to the War
Department, it will be impossible to accuse General Grant of complicity with his designs.
That can be justly done only in the case we have mentioned of furthering those designs. If
it should be alleged that, if General Grant considers that he has been
"assigned" to the War Department by his military superior, he must therefore
obey that superiors orders during his assignment, we reply that, with what is know
of the Generals character, it is impossible to suppose that he would take any
serious step inconsistent with his views of the true radical policy of reconstruction.
If he did? if his views
of military subordination are such that he would not hesitate to do any thing which the
President might order, the country would never have been so deceived in any man whatever;
and the universal popularity of the General would be changed into an equally universal
amazement and sorrow at his profound misconception of the popular feeling and purpose.
Articles Related to Overt
Obstruction of Congress:
Congress
February 2, 1867, page 67
February 16, 1867, page 99
March 16, 1867, page 163
How Long?
June 29, 1867, page 402
Reconstruction and Obstruction
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Summer Session
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Fortieth Congress
July 17, 1867, page 467
Thanks to the District Commanders
July 27, 1867, page 467
Impeachment Postponed
July 27, 1867, page 467
A Desperate Man
August 13, 1867, page 546
The Secretary of War
August 24, 1867, page 530
Samson Agonistes at Washington (cartoon)
August 24, 1867, page 544
The Stanton Imbroglio (illustrated satire)
August 24, 1867, page 542
Secretary Grant
August 31, 1867, page 546
Southern Reconstruction
August 31, 1867, page 547
The Political Situation
September 7, 1867, page 562
General Thomas
September 7, 1867, page 563
Southern Reconstruction
September 7, 1867, page 563
The General and the President
September 14, 1867, page 578
General Sickles Also
September 14, 1867, page 579
Southern Reconstruction
September 21, 1867, page 595
The Presidents Intentions
September 28, 1867, page 610
Impeachment
October 5, 1867, page 626
The Main Question
October 5, 1867, pages 626-627
Suspension during Impeachment
October 19, 1867, page 658
"Disregarding" The Law
November 2, 1867, page 691
Impeachment
December 14, 1867, page 786
General Grants Testimony
December 14, 1867, page 786
The Presidents Message
December 14, 1867, page 787
General Grants Letter
January 1, 1868, page 2
Secretary Stantons Restoration
January 25, 1868, page 51
Reconstruction Measures
January 25, 1868, page 51
The President, Mr. Stanton and General Grant
February 1, 1868, page 66
Romeo (Seward) to Mercutio (Johnson) (cartoon)
February 1, 1868, page 76
The War Office
February 1, 1868, page 77
Secretarys Room in the War Department (illus)
February 1, 1868, page 77
The New Reconstruction Bill
February 8, 1868, page 83
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