New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-19
SHERMAN AND SLA VERY.
WHAT HE THINKS OF DANAs STATEMENT.
WHAT THE GENERAL SAYS ABOUT GRANT, c. +.
SMITH AND GENERAL Fry.

SMITH AND GENERAL FRY.
PITTsBURG. Feb. Is (Spec,ah. General W.
T. Sherman is visiting his daughter the wife OF Leuten
ant Fitch. who lives at Edgewood Station the Penn
sylvania road Areporter who visited him this after
noon recalled the recent publication in THE TRIBUNE
that he had said the tyranny OF the American press
would yet result In boodshed. The General said: l
made OF that expression in the privacy OF my own
rooms. There reporter present that knew or
thought surrounded by only few friends. and in
discussion the charges made by Charles A. Dana that
had endeavored total cessation OF hosties
by representing to General Johnston and tho Rebel
forces that was arranging with the authorities at
Washington for acknowledgment OF tho right OF the
South to hold slaves, made use OF these words And
isn't that the of the press very great and
used often people IL has become SO that
a public is afraid TO express an opinion upon any
subject because Of the manner in which his uttorances
arc so often distorted ard infrequeny purposey
perverted Then those people In Washington who want
votes they stand In great OF the press and
dare incur It's ilwi The absurdy of Danas state
is great to be spoken of seriously All you have
to do to refer my testimony before Ben Wades Com
mitee which appointed in 1865 to investigate the
conduct OF the war. Volume VIII Of the committees
report, think. contains my testimony which covers
sixtytwo or slxtg-fve pages This investigation was
made at the close OF the when everything was
ircsh In the minds OF tho public and tho committee
gathered every fact it could lay hands on.
at Is pretty thing to represent twenty years after
this investigation that | in favor OF slavery.
Charles Dana is very fond Of saying. We
think this, and think that lie followed
our army during the war as spy. 1t was
generally understood that he tolerated spy Dana
talks my favoring slavery indeed Why secured
the freedom of hundred slaves 10 his We all knew
that Lincoln intended the rebel soldiers should 20 hone
and resume their occupations, after swearing allegiance
to the Government He told mo so personally, and
Grants conduct atAppomattox was In the line OF this
policy. We all recognize It, both Northern and Southern
men, and Joe" Johnston knew well as did that the
Proclamation OF meant the freedom OF all
the slaves in the South The fact here the Generals
eyes twinkled with mirth" those letters which were
published were written TO sound the Administration
upon the slavery question. You see, Lincolns death
had occurred only short time before and We did not
know what tho sentiment OF the new Administration
might upon this question those letters writ
ten feeers l could not have conference with the
rebel forces at the time. they were at Charlotte,
think, while at Greensboro. These stories arc IKE
that OF General Fry"
elias he furnished you with tho authority for tho
quotation he ascribes to you Had c. f. Smith lived
Grant would have disappeared to history after Don
olson q"
YES have secured tho article. Tho sentence occurs
in o letter written by to Lieutenant scott, having
charge OF the records at Washington, I knew that
could not have written anything intended as a dlspar
agcment OF General Grant. Genera! Smith wa. bray
officer knew that he had hurt his limb In getting into
a yawl The wound disabled him and terminated
atallD When he found lac unable TO take charge OF
the forces lie sent for General Grant. In writing that
sentence meant that Grant had gone down, down,
down. ana now the opportunity had presented ITSELF
which gave him chance 10 rise by his own
merits II Smith had lived 1t Is questionable whether
the opportunity would have come TO Grant by which he
enabled BRING into play the forces Of his character
Fry never made a record. lie never In Sorth Caro-
lima record paper, and to keep that up he
must seek nOtouey. IL Ia ridiculous 10 suppose that
meant 10 detract from Grants fame. The sentence
occurs In letter written Lieutenant scott TO obtain
some records which desired TO use In preparing
euogy OF Geueral Grant which delivered before his
old comrades OF the Army OF the Tennessee.
Is II probable that would seek 20 dctrlc from his
cellence when preparing his eulogyi Here Is the
letter itself You read IT, but will not let you copy
IT, rs intend TO publish In full in the March number
OF The North American Rerics"
The reporter read the letter passage at It's close
spoke Of Grant having rested under a cloud from
January until Juno OF 1852.
''You can take a sentence from the Bible" continued
General Sherman "and twist It that IL viii seemingly
uphold very Thing II condemns so, that sentence
taken without the context gives false idea am Will
ing that any man with shall take this let
ter and pass in judgment upon It to whether IL de-
flames Grant or not General Fry slurs by saying,
General Sherman goes so far TO have said since
Grants DEATH otc. Since Grants death. you will OBJ
serve, il used TO make my fancied offence all the
more hcinous."