Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-05-20
SHERMAN TO GOV HAHN.


The follo~ing letter from General Sherman. ID
in reply to one from Governor Hahn. inclosing
him the resolutions of the Louisiana legislature
applauding Sherman and bis army. The follow.
ing is the reply:
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY Div or THE Miss
In the Field, Goldsboro, n. c..
April 5. 1869
To His Excellency Michael Hahn. Governor OF
Louisisns. New Orleans:
DEAR Sra: | had the honor to receive your
letter of March 3. inclosng the engrossed copy of
the resolutions of the legislature of Louisiana,
approved March 3, 1865 | will publish them in
general orders TO the army, and think that it
will he a source of pride for the officers and men
10 see the deep interest that il felt in them BY the
constituted authorities of your favored state
/ thank you kindly for recalling TO me the
events that attended me at Alexandria. a: the
outset of this war. No man not actually present
at the south can comprehend the tolls and snares
laid by old. wiy and mischievous traitors TO en-
snare the young aud credulous Truth was per
verted. prejudices kindled into wild passion,
and false pride begotten. calculated TO misesd
the youth and even old men into q belief that
the shole fabric Of our government was weak
and tottering. and was about to fall with crash
that would ruin all who chung TO its fortunes
cannot pretend TO superior wisdom. but in
the retirement Of the pine woods of Rapides Par
ish my day dreams still rested on the high seas
in California. on the broad plains of Kansas the
majestic valley Of the Mississippi aud the At
lsntic slopes. with their busy. industrious people
where had roved in former days, everyw here
realizing the fact that general government
kind and paternal. and that its faults, If
any, arose from an excess OF lenency and for
bearance. and | could not be made believe
thar it should Weld the DESTINY OF our future 10
the guidance Of the few di.contented demagogues
of the south or it, conceited cotton planters and
negro owners.
sm willing TO say. however. that | regarded
the constitution a bargain; that OF the north
should respect slave property. without going into
Its abstract merits or defects; and had the south
ern people abided by the common laws and tri-
bunals. would have fought to maintain such
property; but the moment they ignored the con
tract aud appealed TO war. were no longer
bound in law or honor TO respect that obnoI
ious species Of property
AS soon as the war ia over, ! believe that
good men can re adjust the affairs of the coun
try. 50 that slaves will never again be bought
sold. and yet the labor of all be directed again
10 the development of the vast agricultural
wealth that lies in the fertile fields Of the
southern states
Accept nv hearty thanks for considering me
still citizen of LOuisians ard | beg you TO fos
ter and encourage all ia native population TO
adapt their thoughts and feelings TO the new or
der of things. which will soon efsce the dread
ravages OF var. and make Louisiana once more
the guardian Of the outlet of The mightiest river
on earth
With great respect.
Your friend and servant
W T. SHERMAN
Major General
WASHINGTON disnatcb 10 The No. VI
Tribune says The officers Of General SIKH
MAN are arriving here in considerable numbers
They all express much indignation at the Official
and newspaper structures on Gen. SakRxAs's
They say IL was entirely unealed for in view of
the great services rendered bY that army. AID that
the Advancement va. In s,rict conformity 70