The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-10-19
GEN. SHERMAN UPON THE NE
GRO.

In an article in the North american Re
cieaO for October, Gen. w. I. Sherman
gives some most interesting reminiscent
ces of his experiences with the negroes
in the South, and pays the colored peo-
pie as high compliments as ever white
man received from the sound minded
but gruff cold Tecump." He admits a
partial feeling for this people who so
we'll played their difficult part during
the rebellion, remaining true to their
masters, yet never deceiving or betray-
ing poor Union boy who had escaped
from prison and was trying to make his
way to Goods country" The Southern
er himself, Gen. Sherman says, owes
debt of gratitude to them, and he holds
that "every Southern gentleman who
has a spark of knighthood left in his ma
ture should take off his hat to the old
bondsman who staid at home to care for
his mistress and the young ladies while
he was himself away fighting to destroy
his own Government, and to strengthen
the letters which bound his slave to the
MASTER"
Reverting to the political aspect of the
matter, Gen. Sherman INDUCES in some
plain talk to the South, and such as will
disturb the Mugwumps and cause the
Democratic editor to cry "bloody shirt"
though, as "Tecump." says, he is not the
sort of man to talk to in that way. Using
his assertion that the negro is not per-
mitted to vote if the vote disturbs the
judgment of the white majority; and If
it changes the verdict of their former
masters, it is not counted, the hero of
the "March to the Sea" uses the follow
ing plain but earnest language:
What is the use of shutting our eyes to a
well.known fact? We did SO from 1850 to 1860,
and have paid the penalty. The next war may
be avoided by reason and common sense, and
IL l can help to avert 1t l will feel more hon. |
ored than in past victories or triumphs. say
to the South, Let the negro vote, and count his |
vote honestly. 1t will not disturb, but, on the |
will hasten. your prosperity and sta |
bility as people. There is no use of talking |
to me about "bloody shirts"-I have seen |
enough of them; yea, coats and overcoats en- |
by the hearts blood of the best men |
who ever lived. 1 begged and implored my |
enmity of the sleeping lion of the North. Ever
since the beginning of time Southern people |
have been quick to anger but not enduring.
The Northern people, per contra, are slow to
anger, but, once aroused, are not easy to allay.
The Northern people will not long permit the
negro vote to be suppressed, and yet be count
I'D in the political game against them. Better
meet the question honestly. Ask the abroga-
lion OF Article IA of the amendments to the
constitution of the United States, or allow the
negro to vote, and count his vote. Otherwise,
20 sure as there is God In heaven, you will
nave another war, more cruel than the last,
when the torch and dagger will take the place
If the muskets of well-ordered battalions. The
negro is gaining in experience and intelli-
renee every day, and he has read Byron: HE
'edtary bondsmen, know We not who would
De free, themselves must strike the blow 2"
Should the negro strike that blow, in seeming
ustice, there will be millions to assist him.
We're l to-day a citizen of Louisiana, as was
n 1861, would far prefer "Old Shady" as a
voter than any of the Bohemians who reach
,astle Garden by thousands every day of the ,
ear. know my Southern friends will answer
Why not leave us alone? 1--WE are now all I
greed-we are solid" So they were in 1861, ,
Then 1.-THE of their number, united by self
interest, made the whole mass to sacrifice (
heir lives and wealth for the alleged protec- ,
ion of the slave property of the few.