The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-06
General sherman and III. "Msmoirs."

We print this morning an interesting and
valuable interview with General Sherman in
reference to the excitement aroused by his
recent memoirs Of the war. Tho General
speaks with the frankness and courage per-
tanning to his character. He denies the i'm
putation that he intends in any way to
cast reflection upon the volunteers who car
ried the war to a successful issue, or
that be denies to Z al, Logan and other
commanders the honor they justly won he
contends that his work will have value not
SO much as history of the war as contri-
button to il, based upon his recollections OF
his own part in SO many brilliant and sue
cessful campaigns. The temper in which the
General speaks is admirable, and will secure
him renewed respect from the country.
There is one point, however, in consider
ing General Sherman's position and the real
value of his work that cannot be
overlooked. We are far from sharing
in the opinion that he has committed an
error in writing these Memoirs. There is
too much can't about our recen. war and the
achievements of its captains. 1t is much bet
book now, and in doing so follow examples as
illustrious as those of Caesar and Frederick
and Napoleon and Scott, than to wait until
the lapse of time, when the actors have passed
away. General Sherman certainly has
nothing to tear for his own fame
We cannot believe that he thinks
of challenging tho fame of any of bis
comrades. Even if it could be demon
s,rated that as the General contends, he is
entitled to the sole credit of the march to the
sen and of other achievements there re-
mains glory enough for the other commanders.
We are too apt in this country to award our
praise and our blame without reserva-
ton. Already commanders like Lee
and Stonewall jackson and Sidney John
ston are passing into fable. Men who
achieved great successes are deprecated
men who fought with tAe 'lost cause" are
held up as commanders of unexampled
genius, who failed only because of the Ere
ponderance of Northern power 1t is much
better that we should know Grant and Sher-
man and Thomas and Shetidan as they really
ara than to have them surrounded by the
mists of romance which envelop Washington
and Lee. There is something unsatisfactory
TO our modern, practical mind to
see Washington as sacred, almost
impossible, character with none of the
weaknesses of humauity-a shade and not
man. 1t destructive to the honesty and useful
ness of the military calling to surround our
generals with this atmosphere of unalloyed adj
miration. Ii General Sherman can contribute
to the truth of history, even at the risk of in
curing the anger of men like Blair and
Logan and Hooker, If he can enable us and
our children to know the exact manner of the
men vino fought our battles. their victories
and their defeats, it would be better for the
truth OF history and better for the country.
Nor do we see that the effect of these
'NIemoirs' will be to take anything from the
fame of the meritorious generals of the war.
1t is hard and coarse rule that every career
should be indicated by success We some
times think that the failures of history en-
body as much merit as much real duty and
heroism and suffering as the successes. This
world is 100 apt TO make up its mind that all
buCCbSS 10 uCIlbOItohny bub ~ 10 q NSncCbiOu
upon our enlightenment AID our desire
for justice and fair play to always accept this
arbItrament. History has awarded to the
actors in this great conflict their true position.
1t gives to Grant the glory of having con-
quered the rebellion; it gives to Lee the
fame Of having made for the ''lost cause
gallant, patient and self-denying struggle. 1t
gives to their lieutenants, Sidney Johnston,
Stonewall Jackson and Longstreet and Gordon
on the one side, to Sheridan and Sherman and
Thomas and Mcpherson on the other, the
merit Of having zealously sustained their
chiefs, Of having honestly won their title to an
enduring fame. The gust of criticism and
disappointment which has arisen out of the
publication of General Shermans memoirs"
will pass away, and time will vindicate his
honesty in printing fhis book, his frank
ness in telling what he believed to be true,
and that he has told the truth without fear or
favor, without envy and with a sincere desire
to contribute as earnestly to the real knowl-
edge Of the war as by his sword he contrib
uted to its triumph.