GENERAL GRANTS LETTER
The letter of General
Grant to the President upon the removal of Stanton and Sheridan is characteristic of the
man. It shows the same supreme good sense which distinguishes Grant as it did Lincoln; the
same sagacity and moderation, but clearness and firmness which endear him more and more to
the country. In regard to Mr. Stanton the General reminds the President that the Tenure of
Office Bill was intended especially to protect the Secretary of War, and concludes
quietly: "The meaning of the law may be explained away by an astute lawyer, but
common-sense and the views of the loyal people will give to it the effect intended by its
framers." In speaking of Sheridan he gives him high praise in saying: "He is
universally and deservedly beloved by the people who sustained this Government through its
trials, and feared by those who would still be the enemies of the Government."It seems to be impossible for any man to
pretend further that he does not know what Grants views and sympathies are. Could he
make them more clear, could he awaken profounder public confidence if he should write a
letter advocating certain details of policy? On the contrary, if there be any thing which
would disturb the feeling which the vast body of faithful Union men in the country
entertain for General Grant, it would be a letter from him "defining his
position." Deep and permanent faith in public men at such a period as this is not
founded upon what they say for a particular purpose, but is the result of the impression
of their whole career.
This letter, written
under a strong sense of public duty, shows that the Generals opinion of the policy
of reconstruction which has been adopted is that of the most intelligent men in the
country. Supporting his friend Sheridan against the rebel pressure to which the President
gladly yielded, he says that the assertion constantly made that the administration was
dissatisfied with Sheridan "emboldened the opponents of the laws of Congress within
his command to oppose him in every way in their power, and has rendered necessary measures
which otherwise may never have been necessary." Those laws are to be repealed, or
they are to control reconstruction. The Democratic Party will go into the election
clamoring for its repeal, and insulting Sheridan and all the "satraps" who
enforced the law. The Republican Party will insist that the principle of the law, namely,
the equal rights of all the citizens, shall continue to inspire reconstruction. One of the
two parties will succeed. There will not be a new party, and, of course, if the
Republicans repeal the law they retire from the contest. Can there be any doubt, then,
that General Grant will be the Republican candidate as the representative of the
Republican policy? He will be the President elected by the principle which maintained the
war to its triumphal close.
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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