The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-05-27

Opening Fire on Sherman.
The enemies OF General Sherman. who
have long dissembled their malicious hatred,
have at last come forward for another attack
upon his fair fame. His book is the excuse
for this onslaught, as his estimate OF the
magnitude of the war, his repulse of the
Massachusetts, recruiting commissioners,
and the terms granted to Johnston were the
pretexis for former attacks. Thus far he
has been triumphant, and it is probable that
he stands in less danger to-day than ever
before. 1t is natural that man so bold,
truthful and independent as he has been
one who has done his duty under the most
trying circumstances without fear or favor,
should have hosts of foes among the hypo-
critics, the pretenders, the petty politicians,
the selfish officials and the multitudinous
rsscaIs cast up by the war. They fawn upon
him in his prosperity, but they will never
forgive him for his manliness and success,
and he may look for their intense hostility
whenever they think they can work his
ruin. They imagine that their opportunity
has now come.
The Cincinnati Gazette confined itself yes
terday to the defamation OF Sherr2an's
character as q soldier, and undertook to
show that his career was one series OF blum
ders, followed by fortQnate results. The
task of establishing this remarkable theory
is confided to the. Washington corEespon-
dent, and he has lsbored with q
ton, but the work of proving
black white is not by any means very easy,
even for one of the favorite Bohemians OF
the administration, with all the secrets OF
the different departments at his service.
The Chicago Tribune has chosen Sherman's
political career as more vulnerable
point of attack, and has taken'1p the terms
of capitulation granted by him to ali the
rebel armies on the 18th day Of April, 1865,
which, although military in Its character,
might be considered as political in its re-
suits. The Tribune summarizes the terms
as follows:
1. Suspension of hostilities IN order to SUBJ
init the agreement for ratification
2. The confedera armies to be disbanded to
be cOnd lcted 30 their state capitals, and their
arms to be there deposited.
United states OF the several state governments,
including legislatures.
4. Re-eStaOtSnmeHIO Vi reue-dl OOuItS III the
S. The people of the states to be guaranteed
their political rights and franc hises, and rights
of person and property as defined by state con-
situations.
The Tribune does not doubt Sherman's hon
esty and patriotism in accepting such a
capituIation, but is grieved to think "that he
did not then see that his terms would have
been deplorable for the country, and that
in the experience of the ten years that have
passed he does not now feel disposed as a
patriot TO rejoice that his terms were re-
sjected." The only vital objection to Sher-
mans terms was that no direct
provision was made for the abo-
lition of slavery, and he himself
declared in bis defense that he considered
that the result sof the war had made the
emancipation proclamation effective, and
that all the negroes were consequently free,
and doubtless the apparent inconsistency
between that opinion and the fifth provision
of the treaty is due to the Tribune's method
OF presenting the terms. Granting Sher-
mans own Interpretation ef his terms, and
what is there in them that he should now
be ashamed OF? His plan was to
restore the Southern states to their
position in the Union at once. Has
anything bee1 gained by postponing their
restoration for ten years? The rebel states
have been, with the exception of South
Carolina and Mississippi, regained by the
men who would have held control at the
time of iJohnston's capitulGtion, and if we
contemplate carrying on the government OF
A. ell
ing 70 the people. the control of their own
affairs, no other result is possible. Had
Shermen's policy been adopted, the states
would have been restored and represented
&c they must DO eventually by their own
people. The awful era of plumber,
bluodshed, and tyranny, called reconstruc-
ton, would never have passed over the
country. The enormous debts that have
been heaped upon the South would never
have been incurred; the reign of the carpet
bagger would have been unknown; the
triumph of ignorance and vice would never
have been celebrated, and the general lapse
Of the South towards anarchy would not
have taken place. Such statesmen as Moses,
kellogg, Spencer, Brooks and Arnes would
pexer have figured en- our annals. The
main fault with Shernan's scheme, in the
eyes of politicians, was that it would have
prevented the capture OF the rebel states by
republican thieves, and would have
endangered the supremacy of the
psrty, before giving it an opportunity
to rot and fall to pieces of
its own corruption. The terms of capi:-
ulation were open to criticism, but their au-
thor would be a strange man. indeed. if, as
the Tribune says, Sin the light of the expe-
"rience of the last n.years, he rejoice that
"his agreement with Johnston and Breckin-
l1;dnn ,uas MON ntIu renudiated by The GOV