GENERAL GRANTS TESTIMONY
This testimony of
General Grant before the Judiciary Committee reveals his remarkable good sense in a
striking light. It has unquestionably deepened the general respect for this sagacity and
confidence in his ability. The two subjects of interest in his examination were his view
of the scope of the parole of General Lee and his soldiers, and of the reconstructive
measures of the President.Upon the
first point General Grant is very emphatic. He holds that as commander in the field he was
authorized to receive a surrender which was not unconditional. That the army before him
were rebels was, under the circumstances, not vital. He was making war, and was governed
by the laws of war. "The parole," he says, "gave them protection and
exemption from punishment for all offenses not in violation of the rules of civilized
warfare so long as their parole was kept." Lee and his army would certainly not have
surrendered if they supposed they were to be tried and hung, and, except for the parole
and surrender, an endless guerrilla and bushwhacking contest would have ensued. He did not
consider that the parole gave those who surrendered any political rights whatever. "I
thought that was a matter entirely with Congress, over which I had no control
whatever." General Grant reasoned not like a casuist, but like a man of sound sense,
and a statesman.
Upon the second point, the
"Presidents plan," the General is equally direct and sensible. It was his
wish, as it was Mr. Lincolns intention, that some kind of civil government should at
once be established in the southern States, "until Congress could meet and establish
governments there." With that understanding, which was certainly that of the country,
he gave no specific opinion unless it was requested; but he was very anxious that some
kind of temporary system should be adopted, and that speedily.
The Democratic journals
try very hard to show from the Generals testimony that because Mr. Lincoln wished
provisional governments to be established in the disordered States, and had prepared a
proclamation to that effect, therefore Mr. Johnsons performances are merely
fulfilling the intentions of Mr. Lincoln. If these papers really think so they ought to
have decried Mr. Johnson as a gorilla long ago. They also labor with admirable zeal to
show that General Grants testimony shows his want of sympathy with the Radicals. The
failure of these excellent efforts is signal. The General says that he regarded the
Presidents plan as temporary, and was of opinion that reconstruction was the
business of Congress. These are very sound views. General Grants enunciation of them
is perfectly simple and manly. If they are agreeable to those who hold that Congress has
nothing to do but to admit the members whom the ex-rebels send, they are certainly
satisfactory to us. And if those who think that General Grant may be nominated by either
party, suppose that his opinions as shown by his testimony will be adopted as the
Democratic platform, we wish them joy of their remarkable faith.
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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