The New York herald., 1878-11-26
Sheridan versus schurz.

The lively controversy which has arisen
between the two highest officers of the army
on one side and the Department Of the In
terror on the other turns on disputed ques-
tions Of TACT, and the public naturally as
sumes that the army has q more thorough
and more practical acquaintan with the
state Of things in the Indian country than
it is possible for civilians in Washing
ton to possess. It has been the main
business Of the army for several
years to watch and punish the Indians,
and the two or three Indian wars per annum
have made the study of the Indian question
the engrossing occupation Of our most dis
tinguished officers. General Sherman has
made repeated tours Of observation through
that part Of our territory, and Generals
Sheridan and Pope are as familiar with it
as Secretary Schurz is with his favorite
stumping ground in Ohio. These officers
speak on their intimate personal knowl-
edge of region which they have many
times explored, while Mr. Schurz can
deal only in second hand Impressions, de-
rived from such Indian agents or other in
terested parties as thrust themselves upon
him or as he chooses to consult The diff
ference is not at all question Of sincerity
or Of veracity, but OF the comparative
value of the two sources Of information. 1t
is q pitting Of second hand impressions
against long and accurate personal obserya-
ton by officers who have passed great
part Of their military life in close contact
with the Indians. Secretary Schurz should
have reflected on this great contrast Of op-
portunities before writing to the Secretary
OF War his impetuous letter complaining of
and repelling certain statements made
by General Sheridan in his recent an
nual report. Such display was certain
to provoke rejoinder, and it is not quite
safe to fall into the vigorous hands Of Gen
eral Sheridan on subject which he has so
much better means of understanding.
General Sheridan's letter to the War De-
partment is strongly indorsed by General
Sherman, who expresses himself with the
incisive frankness which is 50 Characteristic
of this keen and clear-headad soldier. He
gives his personal testimony to the salubrity,
fertility and convenience of Fort Sill as a
post for watching and dsupplying the Indians.
and he demonstrates against the waste OF
abandoning it to take up new position
which might save pitiful hundred dollars
to the Indian Bureau at the expense of q hum
dred thousand dollars to the government
If the Secretary Of the Interior is unwilling
to accept his statements General Sherman
suggests that Mr.. Schurz send q disinter-
ested inspector, ''who will find that Fort
Sill is, of all places, the best in the whole
Indian Territory for water, soil, everything"
General Sherman speaks with as much con-
tempt rs is consistent with official decorum
of the sources of Mr.. Schurz's information.
Neither the President" he says, "Secre-
tary Of the Interior nor Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs has ever been in that region,
but General Sheridan has, and SO have !.
We believe honestly that deceit has been
practised by somebody to influence these
high officials to remove the large tribes of
Kowas and Comanches to the small tribe Of
Wichitas." The public will believe that
this air Of confidence betokens correct in
formation