The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-04

dated by the mass of the people. In every
respect General Grants administration is de
clining in popular esteem, while the opposi-
tion is daily gaining strength. We conclude,
therefore, that by the time the Presidential
election takes place General Grants chance Of
reelection will be much diminished, and that
the Democrats, with General Sherman for
their candidate, will have good prospect of
regaiping power. Let the Democrats, then,
take the tide at the flood and resolve at once
to make General Sherman their candidate.
GENERAL SHERMAN ON THE KU-KLUX
BUSINESS.
From the NJ Y. World.
There is a manifest advantage, in the heat
of political controversies, in expressions of
opinion by eminent persons who keep aloOf
from the party arena, and can be suspected
of no other motive than patriotic interest
in the general welfare. The most indepen-
den position in the country is that of the
General of the army. He has little to hope,
and nothing to fear, from the mutations of
party politics. He holds q more desirable
sffice than the Presidency, because he has a
life tenure, whereas the President goes out
and passes into iDsignihcanco at the Ond of
four years. 1t is more desirable position
for patriot than the Chief Justice
ship of the Supreme Court, because
pressing opinions on subjects which
may come before BIN III his judicial ospa-
city, and is bound by technical rules
Of law, while the General of the army is free
to follow the dictates Of robust common
sense. Chief Justice Chase is not at liberty
to disclose his opinions on the Ku-klux bill,
inasmuch as II may come before his court for
adjudication. Bat General Sherman is unre-
strained aid dsembarrassed. Having nothing
-, 10, f,.ar tln o1
sions of the hour, he can say his say and de-
liver his opinion with the utmost freedom,
according to his Judgment as man and his
sentiments as a patriot. This brilliant and
popular soldier recently made a speech in
New Orleans, in which he took occasion to
express his views of the recent Ku-klux
| legislation with the independence and direct
pess Of his personal character, which we'll
suits with the soldier-hke frankness of his
profession. We copy the following anthem
tic synopsis of his speech from Western
paper
81 believe this Government will keep on growing
until II sprt ads Itself over the entire American
ttneHt but In oroer to gain this much desired end,
ana to maintain ourselves as free aud independent
republic, we have got t. show more charity tOWa rds
esch other. Il has been remarked by some gentle
| man who has preceded Inc that It generally
conceded by the soloers Of both armies at the close
OF the late civil war, that If the questions and all
matters OF the settlement of the differences between
the North and the South were left To the armies It
would ue settled IT once, and everything would be-
| come quiet aud orderly. / so believed, and before
| signing tia agreement with General Joe Johnston
! l called together an the generals under my cOm-
| nand aud without dissenting voice they agreed
with me- believe d they surrendered in good faith,
| and would have lived up 10 the very letter OF the
aPrtemtht, and tn my opinion, II there had been no
been lett at the time to settle all questions OF differ
ence between the different sections OF the country,
| the people wGuld have at once become quiet and
peace BILE. i probably have as good means OF in
formation as most persons in regard to what is
called the Ku-klnX, and am perfectly satisfied that
the thing u greStly oyerestimated; and II the Ku-
kuX bills were Kept cut OF Congress, and the army
| kept at its legitimate duties, there are enough
good and true men IN all Southern States to put
| down all Ku.klux or other bands OF msrauders."
Before General Grant had caught the Pre-
| sideDtial itch, and had made himself the foot
ball of politicians, his views were similar to
those now expressed by General Sherman.
The report which he made to President John
son alter tour in the South in the winter OF
1866 denounced by the radicals in the Senate
AS a ''whitewashng" report), was soldiers
recoghitisn of the manliness and honor OF
the Southern people General Grant has
become debauched by political ambition; bat
General Sherman, who preserves the honol
and truthfulness of the soldierly character
does not conceal his disgust and contempt fol
the dishonest political persecution of which
the South is the victim. His opportunities
for understanding the temper of the South
are infinitely superior to those OF the narrow
bigoted congressman who passed the Ku-klu,
bill; and, unlike them, he has no motive tC
falsify. They have been bounded into pass
ing the Ku-klux bill by violent journals like
the Tabune; but what does the editor of the
17ibune know of the South compared viii
the personal knowledge of General Sherman
The I'll anks of the Whole country are due t
the high. minded, illustrious soldier for hi
sturdy honesty and robust independence il
Al -
political sham.