The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-09-25
WASHINGTON TOPICS.
Shernan's Lecture ON the Press-Gen
eraI Notes and News.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19.-Secretary Sher-
man has written an explanatory letter in re-
lation to his recent interview with the editor
of the Washington Republic He says:
Mr.. Walker, editor of the Republic, called on
me shortly after my return from Ohio. We en-
gagged In a general conversation very much as
he states except he does nOts state il as clearly
as think he ought. The two points In con-
versati0n upon which we disagreed, first, as tn
his theory about the interconvertible bond. /
stated my objections to this and my opinion
that his theory was delusive and impractical
BILE, but said Ihad always favored converti-
BILE currency-that is that the holder of green
backs should be allowed to convert into a
specified bond at par until the United States
should be ready TO redeem il in coin. Second,
In regard to national bank notes. said If the
choice must be made between greenbacks and
bank notes, was in favor of greenbacks,
but thought that both ought to be main
tanned in circulation at par with each other
came to me with his manHscript in hand and
read IL. L neither revised nor changed nor
had the manuscript. / saw that his account
was naturally colOred by his own opinions but
in The main was correct so far as it went. /
told him he had not stated the distinction
between a.convertible currency and an inter-
national banks. He said he would ma make it
right. | think the fair reader, taking the
known facts into consideration, will see that
the interview, if fairly construed, is not in
consistent with my well known opinions,
nor did mean TO convey the idea, nor did M.
Walker understand that l in any manner
changed these opinions purposes. Any
about my duty as an executive
officer to obey the law into doubt about the
wisdom of the resumption act is simply folly.
L hope the time will never come when an
executive officer will not feel that his duty is
To obey the law without respect to his opin-
ions. 1t is pretty hard for a public man al
ways to determine how to treat the press. 1
have been very free and frank in communi-
eating news to the press, and in cases of doubt
have decided In favor of publication, and have
uniformly treated the fair inquiries of editors
and correspondents with respect. I am glad
TO say that the great body of editors and re-
Dorters are considerate, gentlemanly and fair,
and take pleasure in giving them every cour-
tesy, frequently answering their questions
when ought not to. i greatly prefer that my
answers to Inquiries in casual conversations
should not be printed. Sometimes they
are miscons Tued, sometimes misrepre-
sented, and sometimes manufactured without
a shadow OF truth merely force reply or de-
NAL. The pubic, however, is able To gather
o. the New York Times upon this interview,
have but little TO say. That paper habitually
falSifeS and misrepreSents everything say or
do. As one OF its reports said nothing can
do VIII please the Times. 1t misrepreSents the
Walker Interview and garbles il and perverts
body. but especially every member of the adj
ministration. 1t opposed the silver bill so Of
fensiNely so to strengthen 1t in both houses.
When / sought to execute that law il de-
nOunced me, and when L declined to execute
the law IN way that was not thought to be
authorized IL denounced me again. My only
consolation is that it denounces about every
standard of man, whoever he Is, that for the
time being edits the New York Times.