The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-05
COMPLIED LIVERY DAY FOR EVENING TELEGRAPH
General Sheridan's Testimony.

From the Times.
Although The testimony of Maior-Generai
Sheridan communicated to the Secret Commit
tee of Fifteen omits many points in regard to
which the country would have been glad to have
his views, 1t is full enough 10 show that, in the
main, he agrees with the other distinguished
soldiers whose opinions upon the reconstruction
question had been previously reported. The
States of which General Sheridan undertakes to
speak are Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, and
the impression his words produce is quite as
favorable as reasonable men could expect it to
be. 1t is evidently discriminating, TOO, ard,
therefore, more likely to command confidence
in its truthfulness. Thus, as we Understand his
answers to the queries propounded, the popular
sentiment OF FLORIDA is more cordial IN its
loyalty than that OF the interior of Louisiana
whilst that Of Texas is less favorable. Analyze
his statements, however, and the causes of dit
terence become apparent. Louisiana suffered
more than Florida during the war, and conse-
quenuy many o her people labor under the Irri-
taton produced by the loss OF property. Texas
on the other hand, having made money by the
war, is exempt from the depressing influences
which are felt in Louisiana. But frontier law
lessness clings to it, and renders necessary the
presence OF military force.
Irrespective OF the special circumstances ad-
veIted TO by General Sheridan, what he saws
concerning the prevailing public feeling in the
Southwest tallies with the statements of the
speciafcorrespondent who recently represented
the Times in that section. The General tells the
Committee that the eX-Rebels ''accept the stu
alton, and have an earnest desire for the restora-
tion of perfect Union;" that ''the feeling and
sentiment OF those with the limit of" his COM
mand, though not entirely satisfactory, rs as
good, perhaps, as could be expected" that i'm
LOUISIANA majority of the people are on She
side of the Federal Government and earnestly
desire to be restored to a perfect Union with the
other Statcs;" that in Florida ''the tone and
sentiment OF the people are very tair;" that in
Texas, "anong the best people, there is a very
good feeling towards the Government" For
what more, consistently with reason could we
at this moment ask?
So tar as the negroes are concerned, General
Sherman deemed the maintenance of the Freed
mems Bureau eXpedient for time. But he EN-.
phatcally reecIs the radical policy as fraught
with mischief to the negro himself 81 be-
leye," declares the General, "that the best thing
that Congress or States can do is to legislate as
little as possible in reference to the colored
man, beyond giving him security in his person
and property. His social stdtuS,n he adds "will
be worked out by the logic of the necessity for
his labor" Here is belief founded upon ex-
tended observation and experience, and in direct
opposition to the theorizing of Messrs. Sumner
and Stevens, who, under the pretense of elevat-
waiting the negro, would bring upon him endless
disasters. President johnson was not far astray
when he told the colored people of Washington
that their worst enemies are the politicians who
trade upon barren philanthropy, and keep up
the cry for negro suffrage for their own partisan
advantage.