Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-29
"Forcfntncr's Day In New York.

10 the editor Of the alexandria G,t.ettc:
The speech oil Gen. Sherman. delivered at
the celebration Of "Furclathcr's Day" in New
York emphatcally endorsed by Gen. Grant,
who was present, challenges the attention of
the country. 1t was uttered on Il memorable
occasion, and was doubtless deliberately pre-
pared. And We undertake to say that for cu-
tire want Of the good feeling that should have
prevailed Il; such t'lnr, for the uunS pcuuus
absence OF ali approach towards generosity and
magnaunlty, may for studied nallgnily, this
address Is hardly surpassed by any OF the kind
red efforts ul Sheridan or OF Butler Ii for
ever establishes the position of its au!ho and
OF Its endorser on the same list with these
worthless, and irrevocaby separates them from
the great mass Of the Union army, from the
brotherhood of American soldiers, who, not IN.
mindful that soldier is a gent emau,' an
open Too IN war, generous friend 10 peace,
are now pressing forward heart and soul, eager
to grasp by the hand their late Southern antag-
onists, and bury dead issues 10 present and
living interests, past anmoSitieS in future aspl.
ratlons, common iraties 10 u common Country
and a glorious heritage Of freedom and of
fame.
Gen. Sherman, referring to the result Of the
late war, declared never was there such an
example Of the conqucrors giving the couqucr-
ed the same rights that they themselves pos
sesscd. Without cavilllng at the accuracy or
the taste OF this great souled man in dcscrb-
l. L.
and the conquered, We dispute his facts He
states what is not so, as every school boy knows,
or should be hogged for not knowing. In the
long series of French and EngIish civil wars
there we're no prescriptions or practical dis.
EMBELLISHMENTS OF provinces or States, 40 up
setting Of the whole social fabric by deIlberata-
~ elevating an alien and an enslaved race over
their former masters. lD those civil wars al
most universal amnesty speedily followed the
laying down of arms. Ii few of the leaders
were brought to trial for treasoC aud executed
the mass OF the insurgents were perfectly safe
IN their lives and property, and their govern
mcnt, as rule, gladly assisted them ln re-
building their fortunes wisely conscious that
they were thus Strengthening themselves and
their country. That the Southern people in-
vlted the trial OF their leaders tor treason"
aod that the government of the United States
deliberately declined the issue is another mat.
ter which the school boy knows. 1t was hard
ly the Chair OF History which Gen. Sherman
filled 10 that Southern University before the
war.
Nor could it have been that of Political
Economy. Without he simply meant to Insult
our impoverished masses by telling them that
there were no hard times" when "he looked
around the streets and saw the dressing and
the driving We are at loss to understand his
utleranoes Does he pretend to ignore the
fact that it is the legislation of the Republican
party with which he has allied himself aud to
the basest OF whose passions he puudcrs 10 his
specch) which has caused the rich to grow
richer aud the poor poorer, ami which has
produced all this dressing" and driving on
the part of the one, aud all this want Of dress.
ing aud all this striving on the part Of the
other? Yes strlviugand hard striving 10 drive
the wolf from the door and put bread Into
theirs and their childrcus mouths
When Gen Sherman talks of guaranteeing
present employment to 4uUO0,UnU additional
people 10 this country he is uttcring senSeless
twadde 1t would be wicked if it were not so
foolish. The West to which he invites thcm
is now staggering under its load Of dcht and
poverty. The produce Of their farms, their
principal, We may say their sole industry and
their sole means Of giving employment to emf
grants sesrcalv psvs TRANSFORMATION n thor