Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-02-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

blue are sleeping their last sleep.
More anon. A. L. NJ.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 23d, '75.
The Democratic attack upon General
Sheridan's reputation as soldier, in
denying his presence at the battle OF
Cedar Greek, in October, 1864, and
claiming that his famous ride of twenty
miles and assumed responsibility for
the victory, are mere inventions Of the
poet and romance, is not calculated to
win many soldier votes from the Re-
publican ranks 10 the Democratic fold.
General Sheridan was there and in
every part of the battle field. There
was hardly an organization from regi-
ment up to corps but wnat, at some
hour or other during that eventful day,
was visited in person by him, and SO
evident was his direct responsibility,
to those who like the writer saw him
there, for that crushing victory, and so
well known his presence that it is al
most needless to offer denial to the
slander upon his grand military record.
1t would be great qualification to have
Gen. T. NJ. Harris, of Wheeling, West
Virginia, publish his recollections of
that battle, and of his interview with
General Sheridan during the engage
ment shortly prior to the final charge
upon the rebel ranks. was member
of Gen. Harris staff and though not
present while Sheridan was giving his
views and directions, yet afterwards
Joined in the laugh afforded through
the contrast between them in their
manner of speech. General Harris al
ways used plain English no matter how
great the excitement of the occasion
while Sheridan's expletives would do
credit to a man from Flanders. On
this occasion his intense desire to infuSe
courage into our broken ranks and to
induce officers and men to unite and
sweep the rebels out of existence gave
a ludicrous contrast to the bystanders
to Harris unadorned Saxon. The in
cidents of that battle related by General
Harris would have peculiar interest
to many of your readers. OfmOst fear
less unshrinking courage he, under
Sheridon's personal orders reformed his
brigade and led it into the last over
whelming charge, and l know will
bear testimony as to Sheridan's pres
ence and will protest against the injus-
tice which deprives him OF any of his
laurels.
Senator Conkling in his mastery and
unanswerable argument during this
week upon the Louisiana question
made most eloquent defense of Sher-
idan. While admitting that the latter
was no lawyer and had made impossi-
BILE suggestions through his ignorance
of subtle legal technicalities, yet his
whole conduct was such as to merit
praise not condemnation. Col. Sumner
under Buchanan had dispersed the
Free Soil Kansas LegiSlature-Wash-
ington had quelled the whisky insur-
rection in Pennsylvania-and in many
other instances Sheridan had full pre-
cedent for what he did. In conclusion
of his defense and eulogy he said Sher-
idan had been described in this cham
Der as unfit to
BREATHE THE FREE AIR OF A RE-
PUBLIC.
When the people OF this Republic be-
come so degenerate as to think that
Sheridan was unfit to breathe the free
air of a Republic, then it was time to
burn all the records of our country, to
dance Oh the tomb at Mt. Vernon, and
tear down the obelisk of Bunker Hill.
1t was said that Sheridan carved his
way to distinction with his bloody
sword. This was true, but his sword
was the sword of soldier; it was not
red with the blood of innocent people,
not with the blood of murdered peo-
pie, but the blood of nen in arms
against the Government, striving to
destroy the liberties Of their country,
and to perpetuate the cause of human
slavery.
The Presidents course in Louisiana
would meet with little condemnation
from the loyal people of the nation,
could the speeches of Senator COnkling
and Sherman be universally read. SEN
ator Thurman's efforts, able lawyer as
he is, evince clearly that he is endeav-
oring to make mountain out of a
in his bitter partizan attacks
and carping criticism upon the admin
istration.
The most notable event of the week
has been the prOtracted House session.
To prevent consideration of ihe Civil
Rights Bill, the Democrats, under
leadership of Randall, of Pennsylvania,
began filibustering and continued il
until after forty-six hours session,
the Republicans yielded and adjourned.
1t is matter of regret that Mr.. Gar
field did not, as Chairman os Appropri-
alton Committee, at once stop this con-
test by moving consideration of an
Bill. 1t is evident no
)ne wants now to clog the wheels of
legislation with matter of no imme-
iiate interest in the shape of Civil
Rights. But under the leadership of
Ben. Butler whose course is open to
erious question, three days, of the few
of this short session, have
,een frittered away. Mr.. Garfield
,ould have ended the struggle at any
moment; but destitute, as he is of
courage and of real parliamentary abil-
ty, he of course, failed to act as he
hould have done.
Mr.. Butler is evidently seeking to
,btain suspension of the rules in order
o prohibit all dilatory motions here
lfter, and will in our judgment, next
week endeavor to force such measure
lpon the House through this Civil
Rights question Outsida Of the fact