The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-03
Tho Presidential Dim uity Of the Democrats
solved-GeneraI shermnn the Man.

MATED; AND IL THE KU KLUx BILLS WERE KEPT
| OUT OF CONGRESS AND THE ARMY KEPT AT THEIR
LEGITIMATE DUTIES, THERE ARE ENOUGH GOOD AND
TRUE MEN IN ALL SOUTHERN STATES TO PUT DOWN
ALL KU KLUx OR OTHER BANDS OF MARAuDERs."
The remarks we quote were delivered by
General Sherman in short impromptu address
recently at New Orleans. The American
Union Club, composed mostly Of radical Office
holders, captured the General on his way to
Texas for a reception, and urged him, against
his will, to make speech. These gentlemen
expected, doubtless, to hear something fiat
tering to them, the radical party and the
administration. But General Sherman is a
fearless, honest and outspoken man. He is
no flatterer, time-server or partisan. Though
brilliant and fluent speaker, this little speech
was almost as short as General Grant Is in the
habit of delivering. But how full of meaning!
How Significant What reproof to the
radical party and administration for their
pretended Ku Klux legislation and coercive
policy! The passage we have placed at the
head Of this article is only an extract from the
remarks General Sherman made, brief as they
were. Referring to the growth and destiny of
the country, he said -ssBut in order to gain
this much desired end, and to main
tain ourselves as free and independent
republic, we have got to show more
| charity to each other" He believed, he
| added, shat if the question, and all matters
as to the settlement of the differences between
| the North and South were left to the armies it
| would be settled at once, and everything
would become quiet and orderly. I 80
believed" he went on to say, 'and before
| signing the agreement with General Joe john
| ston called together all the other generals
under my command, and without dissenting
voice they agreed with me. l believed they
| (the Confederates) surrendered in good faith
and would have lived up to the very letter of
the agreement; and, in my opinion, if there
had been no reconstruction acts of Congress
and the armies been left to settle all questions
Of the country the people would at once have
become quiet and peaceable." Then follows
the passage quoted above, and who does not
believe that General Sherman has as good
means of information as most persons in
regard to what is called Ku Klux? What
unprejudiced citizen will not agree with him
when he says he is perfectly satisfied this thing
is greatly over-estimated, and if the Ku
Klux bills were kept out of Congress and the
army kept at their legitimate duties there are
enough good and true men in all the Southern
States to put down all the Ku Klux or other
bands Of marauders?
On this spontaneous and patriotic speech we
nominate General Sherman for next President.
1t is better than all the platforms Of party con-
ventons. 1t shows large heart and broad
and liberal views. Peace and harmony are
what the country want, and General Sherman's
mind is imbued with that fact. Kindness, or
| charity combined with frmness, on the part of
government, would heal all our sectional diff
cultics. General Sherman possesses these
qualities in an eminent degree, and if he were
President there is no doubt that the troubles
perpetuated from the war by radical misrule
would soon be ended. No one need be re-
minded Of the memorable frmness he exhibited
during the struggle to preserve the Union,
and, in fact, on all occasions when the rights
of the government and the law were in ques-
ton. A more conservative and patriotic man
could not be found, or one that would more
faithfully execute the laws. He would be a
terror to evil-doers at all times. Yet he was
the first to hold out the olive branch Of peace
to the erring. He wanted, in the large charity
of his nature, to bury the past in
oblivion, and he still wants that
He believes this is not only gener-
| GUS, but the best policy. The American
people think so too, when their minds are
Invested of party politics, influences and mis-
representations. He says empha tically that
ton acts Of Congress or coercive Ku Klux
legislation. On this platform the people
everywhere should make a spontaneous move
ment to nominate General Sherman for the
Presidency without waiting for the action of any
party convention. The people of the South
ern States particularly ought to take the initi-
alive; for, terrible as he was in war, they have
no better friend in peace. The democrats, if
they be wise, will take him up at once as the
strongest and most available man they can find
No military chief has such brilliant war
record, except General Grant, if, indeed, it be
second to any. On the score of military glory
Sherman could make close race with Grant.
Then it is generally conceded that as Guilt
waited and intellectual man he is superior to
General Grant. Without being partisan poll
tician, General Sherman has always and
consistently favored those broad and
liberal views of national policy which
the democrats favor. Not even his
friendship for General Grant, or the exalted
position he holds in the government under
radical administration, has changed his politi-
cal creed or affiliations. He is a man OF great