Evening star., 1865-05-27
THE SHERMAN LETTER.

The letter of Gen. Sherman to S. M. Bow
man, abusive Of the War Department, ITO
which we referred on Wednesday, has found
light in that appropriate paper, the New York
World.
The leading papers OF New York and Phil
adelphia, who were so industriously furnished
by Mr.. Bowman with copies OF this letter, &C.
companied by the intimatisn that it was ,crit-
Ten for publication, have. we notice, declined to
give it place; out of regard, doubtless, to the
good name Of Gen. S. Its tone and temper
show conclusively that it is but an emanation
OF spleen, and will therefore operate as a very
effective antidote for the poison it was designed
to infuse in the public mind. Though gall
liant and successful commander in the field
this letter is but the latest OF many similar
DEMONSTRATORS, proving beyond question that
in other affairs Gen. Sherman woefully lacks a
balance wheel OF common sense. He may write
such letters until dooms sday, and will still fail
TO shake public confidence in the wisdom and
propriety Of President Johnson's act In setting
aside his virtual surrender Of ell achieved bS
the services and sufferings Of our gallant ar
mics throughout the recent war. He could
scarcely do the reputation Of the Secretary OF
War greater service than in thus laboring to
convince the country that to him it is Indebted
for the pronlptness and force with which the
Government acted In the premises, and the
cleaIness with which il was at the same time
made manifest that the Government was i'm
peratively called on so to act:
Subloined is the communication referred to-
Letter from General Sherman
FROM the New York World of yesterday
BEAR BOWMAN: l am Just arrived. All nv
army will be in to-day have been lost to the
world in the woods for some time: yet, on
arriving at the settlements" found I had
made quite a STIR among the people at home.
and that the most sinister motives had been
official action in all public matters and all OF
them have been carefully suppressed, whilst
the most ridiculous nonsense.has been indus.
1riously spread abroad through all the news
papers. Well! you know what importance L
attach 70 such matters, and that have been
100 long fighting with real rebels with muskets
m their hands to be scared by mere non.com-
batants, no matter how high their civil rank
or station.
1t is amusing 10 observe how brave and firm
some men become when all danger is past I
nave noticed on fields Of battle brave % men
never insult the captured or mutilate the dead:
but towards and lassards always do can
nov now recall the act, but Shakespeare records
wits, rising from figured death, stabbed again
The dead Percy, and carried the carcass aloft |
"a triumph to prove his yalor. So now, when |
Inc reoelilon In our land is dead, many Fal- |
STAINS appear to brandish the evidence of their |
valor and seek to win applause, and to appro- |
prlate nonors for deeds that never were DONE |
As TO myself l ask no popularity, no reward: |
but dare the War Department to publish my |
cflcial letters and reports. / assert that nv
omclai reports have been purposely sup. |
Dressed, while all the power OF the press has
been Indignantly turned against me.
LOO want peace and security, and the re-
Iurn TO law and justice from Maine to the Rio |
Srande; and il il does not exist now substan.
eiauS, il is for State reasons beyond my com.
1t may be thought strange that
one who has no fame but as soldier should |
have been SO careful 70 Try 20 restore the civil |
power OF the Government and the peaceful |
Jurtsdict ton OF the Federal courts but it is diff.
hcuit 10 discover in that fact any just cause Of
offence TO an enlightened aud free people But |
when men choose to slander and injure others.
they can easily invent the facts for the pur.
pose when the proposed victim is far away,
engaged In public service OF their own bid. |
ding. But there is consolation in knowing,
that though truth lies In the bottom of q well, |
the Yankees have perseverance enough to get |
10 that bottom.
Yours, truly, w. 7. SHERMAN.