The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-10-31
Lieut.. Gen, Sherman.

Our telegraph dispatches last week intimated that
Gen. Sherman would take the place of Stanton as sec
rotary Of var. The dispatches this week, giving an
account Of two interviews with the president 60 far
to confirm it, Our individual opinion IS SO far the
south is concerned the change woald be for the bet
ter We have love for the man. and still less for
Stanton Of either horn of the dilemma prefer the
bold hghway man to the midnight assassin His let
ter openly endorsing the presidents policy, at this
time in the face Of the late radical triumphs is certainly
bold stand and smacks strongly of that spirit which
characterised his march through the heart of the Con
federacy We trust and hope that he may be az sue
cessul. Some Of oar cotemporaries speak of him in
anything but discoureoRs terms The New Orleans
Bee, for instance, says
In estimating the probable import Of The call Of
Lieut. Gen. Sherman to the war department at this
iuncturc, find no lack of facts that contribute at
to assist in forming rational conclusions and also
in frightening their interest and significance 1t has
not been customary in this country place army off
GERS in that position. Like the other administrative
departments its duties have been regarded civil,
and a general rule none but civilians have been
called to discharge them. Gen. Knox, the first secTe
tary Of war, under Washiugon's administration, was
believe, the only exception; and he was not, at
the time in active command in the regular army
vice. There are unquestionably plenty Of civilians
perfectly qualified to perform Tie ordinary functions
of war minister Ifthcse are consciously passed over
and a rule which has held almost from the foundation
Of tile government il deliberately dSregalded we can
not easily avoid the conclusion that something more
than ordinary occasion has induced the proceeding
We may be justified in supposing that professional
soldier Of grade second to none but the highest, is
wanted in the war Office, if not for the instant
geucy, in anticipation Of grave and eriicai contingent
cics. We may also suppose bearing in mind the ca
and character Of the selected that one was
wanted possessed of unsurpassed moral courage, de-
cision, prompttudc and energy accompanied by due
discretion and administrative qualification. And all
these qualities are emncuty embodied in Lieut. Gen
Sherman.
But such qualities alone would not suffice, in case
radical frenzy should push the hostility Of congress TO
the presidentto the point of armed collision There
would be needed something more than a cold kind Of
technical obedience to superior authority wherever
that might reside There would be needed political
sympathy with the cause to be defended sincere ab-
hoence for the political spirit and designs of the rcc
less aggressors. And Lieut. Gen. Sherman, there is
reason to believe possesses these feelings in higher
degree, at least in a more pronounced form, than
any other officer in the army. How utterly at var
ancc with radical views Of reconstruction lis own must
be- may be judged from the remarkable terms of gen
era surrender which be freely and deliberately granted
in his celebrated conference with Gen. Joseph i.
Johnston. lie cannot forget, he scarcely by the
utmost stretch of magnaulmity forgive, he must al
ways remember with keen sense Of wrong, the at
tempt of radical malice and ingenuity make use of
his generous and statesmanke stipulations to blast
his fame and destroy his future at the moment of the
elimination Of triumphant service hardly equaled in
military annals Stanton, who assisted to sharpen the
Shaft and deliver the blow, would not be the man.
certainly be in the same place which he then occu
pied, in a crisis where the radicllism striv-
ing and coutriyiug to strike down the president But
the able fearless, fortunate general who parted the
stroke aimed at himself then would seem peculiarly
fit to ward off a like stroke from the same source d.
rcctcd against the president and tie presidential
office"
The New Orleans Commercial argues as follows:
I'VE saw enough military tyranny during the war
to satisfy Us with that institution Our own generals
played the dcspot ana until We settle with them We
might with pgopriey let the record of Sherman alone
The burning Of Columbia, in South Carolina is an act
which Sherman denies and disavows; his magnan
nous treaty with Joe Johnston he acknowledged and
defends. Let remember the good he sought to do
rather than the eva which he is accused Of doing and
which lie regrets because he denies it, The stupcn-
dous crimes committed at the evacuation of New Or
leans is domestic account, and we might waste some
Of indignation that, if We must be indignant
Gen. Sherman is reported to be our friend and to be
standing with the president between Us and the revo-
luton with which Butler threatens US. What mad /
ness then, is there ii Our blood, that We should be
striking at our friends and forcing them away? Ma
guder ordered the coast of Texas to be made desert
Of and the cotton of the people Of that State was kin
died into bondres in spirit of rcclessness when it
was on wheels, and when there was not an enemy in
the State Until overhaul this dismal record which
might do some good let bury AL records, and seek
to grow kindly and strong. The Parhiau arrow which
We aim at Sherman may strike down the very friend
need; and in las stead may come Tie errors tbut
We. rccoi from thinking Of"
8NEcDorE OF president JOHNSON - The "eagIe
orator" Of Tennessee i. g. Henry, in recent speech
paid glowing tribute to the power Of resistance IN
der pressure, possessed by president johnson Mr.
Henry gave him hard race for governor of Tcnnes