New-York tribune., 1867-06-25
CEN. SHERIDAN.

The Times thinks Sheridan Is drcadlully IL
subordinate by reason of his dispatch to Grant
The language is every unusual and eXtraor0l-
"nary.~ and The Times remembers no "paralhl
:" to it in recent military history" Ii sees more
temper in Sheridan ethan is becoming the po-
"sition he holds" and thinks the people would
"prcfcr to await the legitimate and regular ac-
" tion of Congress to correct the evils, rather
than permit individual officers to reject the
authority Of their superi0is ana execute the
law according TO their own Judgment and
wishes"
We understand how The Times would wish
TO break down Sheridan, Just rs we understand
how The World is trying to break down
Sicklcs. These generals are doing their work
too well not to be assailed by journals VINO
have no sympathy with the work, and would
rather not see it done. In the case OF Sherl-
dan, The Times is especially unjust. IL pre-
sents Sheridan in the light of disobeylng orders
and traversing the decision of the President.
Yet. in reading Sheridan's letter, we find he
received no orders. He was asked q" to
extend the registration unless ne hdd
" some oood reasons TO the contrary and
he gives his reasons, which seem TO us
very good /. That he had gwen
the city two and half months. 2. That
there were no more 10 register. 3 That he
did not feel warranted in keeping up boards
at large expense, to suit new issues coming IN
at the eleventh hour. 4. Stlubcy's order
practically in registration is opening a broad,
"macadamized road for perjury aud fraud ..
He began his work six months before anybody
clsc. After giving these rcisons, which were
asked by his superior officer, he expresses a
regret that he should differ with the Prc'i-
dent, and says that if his reasons are not good
enough. he will obey the Presidents orders
adding. ! would do 1t at once but the Presl-
"dcnt's telegram was conditional, and there Is
"suflicicnt time left TO issue the necessary
"ordcrs."
What ia in this to invite the severe attack
| of The TTB,osf Sheridans letter j. respectful
| frank, prompt, loyal 10 his commanders. Where
il the " absolute nsubOrdnation Y lie receives
n conditional order. TO be obeyed unless there
are good reasons and he states them like a
soldier and man. The insubordinntion' Is IN
daring TO have any opinion but what would
be agreeable to the President. Because Sher-
idan thinks Stanbcry's opinion invites perjury
and fraud. he is insubordinate Doesn't 1t
Is Sheridan not right in his understanding OF
that opinion, and may he not find confirmation
of his belief in the very Times which now holds
up its hands in horror
We note this insidious attack upon Sheridan
for a purpose. The friends of Johnson's policy
intend to destroy the men upon whom the
country now depends i'll its hour OF trial. IL
pretcnds to doubt the wisdom of the Presl-
dental Interpretation but it is quite willing to
raise a clamor against an illustrious soldier for
doing his duty honestly, frankly, as the people
expect it to be done II accuses him OF insub-
| ordination and rudeness-and yet we find the
dispatch to be respectful and loyal. The Truth
about Sheridan is, that his dispatches are
never written for the President and The Times,
but to say what he means to say. 1t was so
last Summer after the riots. Then the diff
Guilty was avoided by a little delicate garbhng
and udicious elimination. There will be no
more of that, and since they cannot tinker his
| dispatches they misrepresent them.