Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-05
GENERAL SHERMAN.
He Does Not Hunt NOfOriety. and
Avoids Speeeh-makiEg

correspondence Philadelphia Post.
New YORK, Oct. 24.-At this time, when
distinguished military men are az promi- 4
nently before the publicon account Of their
available qualities as Presidential candi- I
dates as they were during the war for their .
fighting qualities, am reminded of con-
versation / had with General Sherman
little over a year sgo, the recital of which
may not be uninteresting to the general
reader. In the spring of 1866, was sen !
by one of the New York dailies to Hanover,
N. H., 10 attend the commencement exer-
cises of Dartmouth College. General Sher-
man was to be present, and it was expected
he would make a speech, which was to
report, and as he was about making visit
to Canada, my instructions we're to follow
him and keep the paper | represented ad-
vised Of all he said and done.
On the morning of the commencement
day" paid a visit to General Sherman,
and was very kindly received by him. l
asked him his proposed route on leaving
Hanover, at the same time informing him
of my business and of my desire to accom-
pany him. He said that he was travelling
for pleasure, that he desired to travel quiet
ly, and that he did not intend to make any
speeches. | told him that he would un-
doubtedly meet with an enthusiastic re-
ception In Canada; that we were already
receiving accounts of preparations being
made there to extend him a hearty well
come, and that it would be next to impos-
sible TO avoid making a speech occasionally.
He said that if they attempted anything of
the sort in Canada, he should Immediately
return "within our lines;" that he had no
taste for snch things and that he had al
ready been very much annoyed since he
started on his trip, by finding everything
he uttered in public reported the
next day in the New York Herald,
with many words added which he did
not utter, and which he supposed the imagi-
nation of the reporter supplied. He had
stopped at Yale or Harvard, forget which
aow, and he said that while out on the play
ground during his stay there, the boys had
collected around him, and to amuse them
| he had given them a little talk; that he
had told them that they must not suppose
| that Grant and Sheridan, and Thomas and
himself had done all that was to be done,
| and woL all the distinction that was to be
won; that there would be opportunities for
| them, and they would not have to wait long,
so they must not loose heart or despair,
| On receiving the New York papers several
days after, he was astonished to find that
he was reported as predicting speedy war
to the students, in which they would have
a chance of distinguishing themselves.
| Now, such contingency as another war
he had never contemplated, and he hoped
that the country would be blessed with
many years of peace; that it needed years
| of peace, for it wanted men to develop its
resources, and that there was room for
| hundred million of men where now there
was only thirty or forty. | told him if he
| was not going to make any speeches in
| Canada that ] would return TO New York.
| He said that under no circumstances would
he make any speeches; that he did not
desire to occupy the attention of the pubs
| lie, and would never permit his name to
be used in connection with any office in the
| gift of the people. His brother John, he
said, had taste for politics, bat he had not.
| He was entirely satisfied with the position
he occupied. 1t suited him, and as long as
he suited it, he would hold it. This was
the gist of the conversation. | give it from
| memory after year or more hss passed,
and know / left him impressed with the
idea that he was not Presidential aspirant,
and could never be prevailed upon to be-
come candidate for the office.