The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-02
Gen. Sherman Takes the Stand
and TeSfiGes as to His Early
Career.

At the commencement of Dartmouth
College, on the 10Th ultimo, Maj g en-
eral Sherman was present by special in
vitation, and delivered a speech to the
graduating class. In this speech, the
General INDUCED in retrospective view
OF his earlier career, which cannot but
prove intensely interesting to those famil-
lar with his services in the late war He
said -
Ladies and Gentlemen It is beyond
my power or the power of any living crea-
ture TO fiji one-half the picture your
worthy President has juss painted L am
afraid you are doing what was done in the
early part Of the war, eevating raen far
above their ability and letting them down
pretty hard Nevertheless, as in former
parts of my life, | will try and discharge
the duty assigned TO me humbiy and to
the best of my ability, and turn with
pleasure to the men to whom we have
been listening with so much delight. The
array of ladies and gentleman before US,
of mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers,
attests the interest that is felt in you and
tAS VI SOu. uOW indl YOU
are about leaving your teachers, who have
been fitted by former experiences, by the
study OF books, aud by association with
other men, to impart knowledge to you
that will fit you for the life before you
Unfortunately for me, [ was not so favor
ed as you have 5cen, and l regret it now
and shall regret it to the end of time.
was compelled to pick up what little
knowledge [ possess by graSping it. as it
were, through BRAN bles, and [ sometimes
had my hand pretty sharply pricked, too.
You have had those around you who have
gladly told you everything you desired to
know, whose minds were well stored with
the richest iearnin of the past. And now,
young men, you must look out for your
selves. Your ship is about to sail on an
unknown sea. You have your charts and
compass see that YOU steer your course
properly, that you watch your compass.
and do not allow your minds to be turned
aside by the scudding Of the sea or the
winds across your sails, but follow your
compass, and you will just as ourely arrive
at your destination as honesty will pro-
duce good man. My young friends,
remember that twenty-six years ago |
SlOOU rs YOU HCH Sbduu, dDOub u 10 DliD
to DO whatever might fall to my share. and
| now find myself here in the presence Of
men who were graduates of this College
before | was born. 1t appears to me al
most like sacrilege for ne to stand up in
their presence and attempt to give advice
Or instruction, and | would not presume
to say one word had not your honored
President asked ME to do it probably for
some reason unknown to me. When [
graduated, [ was told. in plain Euglish-
not in Latin-that | had finished and was
qualified in nnatural philosophy, chemistry,
mathematics, and SO forth. To prove
that was so qualified, was sent dow to
Florida to catch Indians. I did not see
the logic of it then, nor do now but /
had to go. [ went from place to place in
that country, and, finally, L brought up in
Charleston and whether L had fore
sight of what was coming, if that could be,
or whether it was by the directing hand
of Providence, who rules all things, |