Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-08-29

Grants last Letter a Masterpiece Of
IStrategy-Sheridan Killed Of We
Owe Grant an Expression Of Graft
tude.
Correspondence PUBLIC LRDGER.l
The test of military genius is success;
President Lincoln answered the argu-
ments and assertions of Northern
Democrat" when he proposed to furnish
Grant with any quantity of that pecu liar
whisky to which he was addicted. True,
as asserted, Grant was not always sue
cessful; neither was Napoleon. The
opinion of your Democratic corre-
spondent may be very well founded.
Unfortunately, however, for his asser.
tions as to Grants weakness, there are
other Democrats whose opinions are
worth quite as much as his own. Sher-
man conceded to Grant the honor of
having planned campaigns which broke
an "egg shell and smashed things to
the sea-" | may therefore leave this
question affecting Grants stupidity to
be determined By the relative value of
Sherman's opinions and of those enter
tanned By Northern Democrat"
If the Confederacy had been estab
lished, General Lee would have been its
second President. Is it not reasonable
to infer from this conceded fact that the
same influences will cause the North TO
invest Grant with the highest honors ?
If Grant should do en- act which rem.
dered him unpopular, the next most
military chieftain would grasp the prize.
Is it not true that Sheridan has won the
hearts of the Northern rabble If Grant
had concurred with the President Sheri-
dan at this hour, next after Grant,
would stand highest in the affections of
the Northern multitude. Sheridan is
deemed as "bad q man" as Wendell
Phillips or Butler. President Johnson
decree beheading this violent military
satrap, approved by Grant, would surely
have made Sheridan President. 1t is
bad enough that Louisiana is subjected
to his tender mercies. What magni-
fcent despot this rude soldier would have
proved for the whole South 1t is better
that Texas and Louisiana should suffer
than American freedom be extirpated
by AN ignorant adventurer. If Grant
deserved the country's admiration and
gratitude for no other reason, this letter,
having reference to Sheridan, should
win universal applause. Sherman may
be incapable of deciding upon Grants
merits as a soldier, and your Northern
Democratic correspondent may be
Wellington or Marlborough; but Grants
letter condemning Sheridan's dethrone-
ment is surely masterpiece Of partisan
strategy.
Let me suggest, parenthetically,
Messrs Editors, that your curt criticism
upon this letter of Gen. Grant does him
gross injustice. He does not assert the
supremacy of Congress, but of the
American people. You had read the
letter very hurriedIy when you penned
that editorial commentary.
Grant may be an autocrat when made
President. prefer this to the autocracy
of Congress- single tyrant to hydra
headed despotism. Grant may evoke
order from chaos and reproduce repub-
licanism in America. No other man can
achieve these results at will, and no
other man, better than Grant, can be
elected. Those who oppose him are
practically the adherents Of Butler,
Stevens or Sheridan.
Finally, Sheridan's removal may
cause Andrew Johnson's impeachment;
but Grants letter removed the Presi-
Dental chair when Sheridan was about
to pop down into it. Sheridan was
bruised. not Grant FREE THINKER.