New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-26
GENERAL SHERMAN
VERSUS
SECRETARY STANTON.

~h,oh Gen. Sherman and bis friends hold that
no has been hardly dealt with by the War De-
partmept appears In The Chronicle (Washing
ton) of yesterday. We simply reprint 1T with
out comment:
A quarrel between two high officers Of the Gov,
<rnment 10 always unfortunate, unseemiy, aho
usually injurious TO each. This is especially SC
when they are working in the same great cause
and that cause brilliantly successful, crowned Win
sglorious Peace. 1t is idle to conceal evidences o.
psssion eagerly promulgated by the telegram aiu
press, and 1t is well for kindly iookers-on 10 take
aispassionete view TO If all this heat is ncces
sary, The writer of this knows both parties, and
q certainly friendly 10 each.
The commencement OF any difference wss with
the Shermen-Johnston convention. This, II ap'
proved by the President, would have made peace
between the Potomac and Rio Grande. The OBJ
leoticns made 20 this are included IN three PROPOSE
hons, LIST, That Sherman had no power TO make
Fuoh treaty. The answer is obvious that he never
claimed or attempted 10 conclude the arrangement
AL he did " conclude waa a truce for few days
and he then Submitted, for the appreciation or re-
lection OF the President, this important offer OF
general peace. Even in arranging the truce he had
II all on his side. Wilson was still moving and
holding the outer coils of the net, while Sherman
was building railroads and repairing roads and
bridges, ready for the final spring if the arrange
nont was disapproved.
lie gained everything by the truce and lost
70 BIZ this very truce while sherman never
more active in preparing for future movements II
necessary. Ii is said Generals have no business TO
make truces, OF deal with political questions, and
that Grant was reproved for thls but sherman hai
made truees before, and for year has been distin-
xushed for his treatment of political questions
without word of caution reproot from his supe-
riors. The telegram to Grant, now published as an
official order OF al old date, was withheld from
Sherman and Sherman had been instructed TO open
communications with Rebel civil authorities.
The second objection il that the arrangement
recognized the Rebel State Government and
officials. This is the most serious objection, and
amply justified the Government in rejecting or
modifying the arrangement but the official papers
show clearly that Sherman refused to grant this in
any shape form, until the order of oizel issued
while Mr.. Lincoln was present IN Richmond, con-
vened the Rebel Legislature of Virginia and rccog-
nised the Rebel Gov. Smith. With this order be-
fore him, without a word OF the contrary tenor,
Sherman informed Johnston OF the order, and
waived his previous objection 10 recognizing the
Rebel State authorities. Why should Sherman be
denounced for submitting To the new President
zoposition based upon this order Of the revocation
Of which he had not the least notice. How unjust
% ayraign him for this and then conceal the fact
that he was acting IN pursuance OF The policy of
Ne former Administration.
The third objection ;s 80, 49,, 30 recognized Slavery,
and restored the old relations between master aid
slave. This is simply absurd. Sherman has re-
peatedly acted upon the validity of the Procama-
kon Of Emancipation and tue laws Of Congress
nbolishing Slavery, and the idea of repeating or
Strengthening them by military arrangement be-
tween the Generals never entered his head. The
Official papers show that he urged Johnston 20 an
nounce as "fact' the extinction-of Slayery--a
"faet" that Sherman not only regarded fixed
but as unalterable. The result was that Slavery
Was not mentioned. but was left precisely where II
ought to be left: The nervous fear that this ques
Sob eond not be left 10 the law and the Supreme
6oov tprho w ,ssl; far ri nd
This was the arrangement about which so much
has been said. Ii dlsbanded the Rebel armies,
placed all their arms within our power, made peace
universal; and il was pure J conditional having 10
life without the approval OF the President. Now IL
ts plain that the duty of the Government was
20 simply approve or reject il, and give no reasons
but issue its orders, ard tis prec,sey rk0t 9aS
done by TIE President, aad he did no more. Gen.
Grant was sent to convey this order hud did his
buty poby and well, with generous consideration
Tor his subordinate and fellow-soldier. Sherpsa
aid not hesitate moment, promptly tep~..pated
The truce. made a new arrangement WIZ. Johnston
and at once started for Charleston and savannah,
60 send supplies to Gen. W.I,Son, then far in Geor
vs and 20 close Up the 5cattered links of his great
Command. His otbtal report shows an amount Of
zeal, activity patriotism, and wonderful ability not
surpas sed by any portion Of his previous life. All
This was going on while fo was in utter Ignorance
of the wild storm of deBunciatioI that sweep
ing over the whole country.
catch Davis, detsching armies from his command,
aud preparing for peace and home, the press and
the telegraph, the pulpit and the ToStrum, were
rpging with denunciatiOns. a letter vi q Rebel 20
TIE London Itmes was universally quoted rs the
revelation OF plot 10 overthrow the Government.
Cromwell and Arnold, and all that was desperate
and violent suddenly brought TO public notice.
To defend Sherman, and even 20 beg people 10
-vait-let us hear from him., was 10 invite quarrel
and insult. Timd people were plying him and
II connected with him. People who bad slept
soundly in their beds OF night, and made money
every day during the war, thought Gen. Sherman
tad Joined the "Copperheads," and was 10 bcitar
Than Jef. Davis, and even hinted that he had got
come OF JEFF Davis's gold.
Ger. Sherman first met this "chiiling wind" as
e was coming n0rthwar1 around Cape Henry 10
.ieet his army snd surrender his command. He
Sas then writing his Official report. lie iiinly be-
iieyed tina. pll tais fierce AID most unres -olab!s
1slumny was organized by Mr.. stanton and Gen.
Halleck, with the deliberate purpose TO insult,
tlmiliate and ruin him. Ho then first sew Stan
TONS reasons end Hslleck's insulting order He
liked all the falsohOOis and malignity with these
20 official acts. No wonder that this gave tone
bis Official report, and under this shadow il
ould be read. II will soon be made public, and
e writer Of this ventures 20 predict that every
reminded man who contributed to the claInor
vii, on reading 1t, regret his part.
lAe rejection Of the convention and the reasons
stanton were given to The public Ut tic same
'ment. They mad the appearance Of cotempora-
''eons acts but they were entirely distinct and
:, .ara'e' lho i-"i o. ~ aisapproval was sent BY
.rht. s..a was entiroly legitimate. anu 'eeu''N
We'll. Grant even did no. Know these reasons
Not shade Of discomfort could have arisen. Why,
chen, publish these ressODs' Tho answer OF Mr.
Stanton ~, that General Sherman's order ANNOUNCE
tug the truce 80 his army made il necesssry--that
IL. hos. f.f f-,G