The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-10-12
General Sherman's Speech at the State
Fair, = -l.i-.4

have come to Wisconsin, not for the
purpose of making speech, or to address
men who could teach me all about agricui-
ture, Tor do not profess TO know anything
at all about it, and 1t would be preposter
GUS for me, PLAIN, simple, straightforward
soldier, to speak to you DIT ali ia Tie pres
ence of such men DIS Governor randall. MIR.
Doolittle, aud utuers Whose fame las oxtend-
ed over tue whole world trust Lhat any
thing NAV say VIII be construed not III
the spirit VI An auuress, Dut as all evidence
of my feelings OF love aud gratitude TOW ards
the State OF W IscOisin KNOW that my
fame comes from the TACT that am d inau
of action and not d mau OF words. 0pIy
resort to words because IOr me W Colile here
In your presence anu " Say notulbg "Oulu
be a colA RETURN Tor the manifestations Of
good will which you have uIspiaye cd to me
always, especially at Ills Time. Therefore
| wish that lou Will accept my apology lor
ANYTHING line all address Which would W
calculated to IInpart Information Oh give III
struction to inen That eau teach me more
than have capacity to learn. Accept what
| say as the tx pressioDs OF au old soldier,
but still as words VI mercy aud peace, and
not OF war. Cheers.
l assure you 1t gives me pleasure TO meet
you with your bonnet5 Instead OF With your
bayonets. LaugLter.] | Know that your
soldiers who have marched with Inc through
the states Of the South have now come
home, aud feel that you will turn that
which was labor OF destruction INTO la
Dor of construction, 80 as To build up ana
make WISCONSIN what she Is doomed aud
destined to be, a land not only Tor big and
brave men but for the graces OF life, for
affection, for refinement, tor luxurIes, and
for everything that makes life desirable.
To the old soldiers present need not say
anything, for have had the assurance OF
your Governor that you have come back
from the war pure and unstained by the
vices which contaminate our land that
the men Of Wisconsin have resumed their
labors at the plow and at the Workshop;
and feel that the old despotisms of Europe
will look upon that simple fact as a greater
honor to you as men, aud as doing credit
TO our country, than the renown of all our
battles. The fact that you have returned
to your simple pursuits, and quietly and
peaceably resumed your places as sons, as
husbands, and as fathers, will, in Europe
and over the world, reflect more honor upon
This is an honor that belongs to you, and
not to your leaders, 1t is manifestation
of the virtue that resides in the mass of the
people. pay to you all honor and give to
you all credit.
Another thing may say, and that is,
that Wisconsin has SHOWN intellect i'll the
war; CHEERS Muscle and bone are moth
ing, unless there is intellectual acting to
direct the muscle and bone. Intellect is
the grand element OF power, and l tell you
that Wisconsin stands high in this regard.
Right from the beginning of the war until
now have | had the I'd Wisconsin regiment
with me, and Drawer, a more intellectual
set of men | have never seen. Great APP
pIause. We were panic stricken at Bull
Run, and the only signs of vitality that l
saw there were i'll your I'd Wisconsin, and
ask you if did not welcome to my tent
always, at all times, whether In prosperity
or danger, the colors of a Wisconsin regi-
ment? Applause. So was it with Gener-
al Grant, ana 50 with every officer they be-
came acquainted or associated with. We
all, and at all times, welcomed the colors Of
Wisconsin regiment, because your govern
ors and men III authority Kept them etfec-
tive for elective use. AS tlgnLlug men on
duty, l MAY say that the WISCONSIN regI-
ments have ueen nearly as two to one or The
regiments Ot some other States. Great APP
plause. do not wish 10 be understood
that detract from the honors OF any state.
We have brave men, true men, all over the
country. You may be assured that you
will tud good men every where, but III
some parts the nIen are accustomed to order,
and Wisconsin men are among the most
prominent OF such.
rejoice to say this of your noble state.
l feel proud TO acknowledge that so truly
noble state graced the American Union
Cheers anu waving of haudkerchiefs, &c
In soil and climate, III everything that il
calculated to make men hardy and strong
in physical strength, you have shown to the
world that you are the compeers OF its besI
people.
We have passed through an era of war.
Now we are to nave peace, and you can SIT
down i'll quiet under your own vine and tg
tree, assured that no draft officer will dis
turb your quiet. Keep that peace, and use
it to develop your state in the way i'll which
you have begun, and let Wisconsin main.
the proud position she now has in the record
of our states.
The general resumed his seat amidst a
tumult Of applause, and, three cheers being
called for, they were given right merriiy.
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