Wild rumors had been in circulation that the President was determined to install General Thomas by military force, and to eject Mr.Stanton with violence from the War Office which he refused to surrender.

The public uneasiness resulting from these sensational reports was in large degree allayed, when it was announced that the President had signified his desire that a grave and considerate man with long-established reputation for ability and probity should serve as Secretary of War.

The surprise in the whole matter was that the President should have selected Mr.Ewing, who, as was known to a few friends, had earnestly advised Mr.Johnson against removing Secretary Stanton.
The Senate however was in no mood to accept any nomination for the War Office from President Johnson.

The issue was not whether Mr.
Ewing was a judicious and trustworthy man for the vacancy, but whether any vacancy existed.

If Mr.Johnson had removed or attempted to remove Mr.Stanton from office in an unlawful and unconstitutional manner, the Senate, in the judgment of those who were directing its action, would be only condoning his offense by consenting to the appointment of a successor.