Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-15
SHERMAN AS A MAN.
he Had Qualities That Entitled Him
r. to Rank Among the Great
In PEACE AS WELL AS IN WAR,
His Religious and Political Faith, and His
Social Relations.
HIS OPINION OF THE PRESIDENCY

10 the American people the name OF
William Tecumseh Sherman suggests the
ideal soldier. But he was more than a
soldier. The resolution and strong purpose
and grim gravity exhibited in his features
when in repose seemed to indicate TO the
stranger a lack of the softer and more hui
name qualities. but when animated in social
conversation his face would light up with
bright and sympathizing smiles. His as
ISOLATION with his friends and comrades was
always exceedingly cordial, and his affec-
ton for those allied to him was as tender as
that of a m He enjoyed the society
OF young people and liked. as he said, to
see them ''scooting around"
He was born a Presbyterian and educated
a Roman Catholic, but ne regarded the
creeds Of both churches with impartial
charity. Some years ago he said there need
be no dispute after his death about his re-
ligious faith. for it could be given in a few
words: 81 believe that if people only act
half as well as they know how, God will
forgive the balance" Mrs. Sherman was a
Roman Catholic and her children were
nurtured in that faith. Mrs. Sherman died
in New York November %. 1888, at the age
OF "a years, after suffering for years with
heart trouble.
Was Never q Candidate.
General Sherman was an admirable writer,
says the New YORK Tribune, always going
at once to the point at issue. His letters
brought him into many controversies, but
most, if not all, the animosities engendered
by his discussions of war questions were
put aside by him and his opponents in latter
years. He.talked well, always fuently and
often brilliantly. He had no hesitation
about speechmaking, but could not be called
a natural orator.
General Sherman's political views were
decided and conservative. Before the war
he was a Pro-Slavery Wing, and during the
war he committed himself to the theory of
reorganization afterward adopted by Presi-
dent johnson. In 1884, Mr.. Blaine, his
wife's cousin, wrote to him that he (Sher-
mani might be nominated at Chicago, and
he must accept the nomination given to
him. General Sherman wrote in reply:
/ ought not to submit myself to the cheap
rid1cule of declining what is not offered, but 1t
is only fair to the many really able men who
rightfully aspire TO the high honor of being
President of the United States, to let them
know that l am not and must not be construed
as a rival I will not in any event entertain or
accept a nomination as a candidate for Presi-
dent by the Chicago Republican Convention, or
any other convention. for reasons personal to
myself. l claim that the Civil War. in which I
simply did a mans fair share of work, so per-
fecllyaccomplished peace that military men
have an absolute right to rest. and to demand
that men who have been schooled in tine arts and
practice OF peace shall now do their work equally
well. .....I have my personal affairs IN a
state of absolute safety and comfort. I owe no
man a cent, have no expensive habits, envy no
manahis wealth or power. no complications or
indirect liabilities, and would account myself
a fool, a madman, an ass, to embark anew at 65
years OF age IN q career that may become ut
on- NO - 49,
defalcation, the dishonesty. or neglect of any
single one of 100, 900 subordinates utterly I'M
known TO the President of the United States,
of impecunious friends and old military sub
ordinates. Even as it is l am tortured by the
charitable appeals OF poor. distressed pension:
beyond human endurance.
Depew,s Estimate Of Him.
General Sherman became a citizen of
New York in 1886, and from that time on
was a central igure in the social side of
public life of the Metropolis. Apart from
his military fame, his personal gifts, which
made him one of the most charming of men,
gathered around him with homage repre-
sentatives of the learning, the commercial
enterprise aud the best society of the city.
Chauncey NJ. Depew, called him sat once
the most distinguished and delightful figure
in our metropolitan society,"" Mr.. Depew
indicated the key of the Generals popu-
larltv when he added. "He loved to be in
the company of men and women. and he was
easily, at any table, at the head wherever
he sat, and had a wonderful faculty for en-
tertaining conversation"
In his house be established in a base
ment room a little retreat or "snuggery'' for
himself. BE called it his office, and here
ne received visitors and answered cor
respondence. In the hours which he de-
voted to these duties he presented a picture
which strikingly impressed itself on the
memories of all who saw it. His desk was
in the middle of the room, and there he sat.
amid piles of books, records and papers. and
surrounded by, old war maps and memen-
toes. He wore an easy Office coat or a dress
ing gown, and for aids to his eyesight he
had a huge pair of round-glassed, tortoise
shell-rimmed spectacles. WELDING his
paper knife and taking up his pen occa-
sionally, he would keep busy and at the
same time would sustain conversation with
a caller, on whom every now and then, as he
addressed him, he would bend his keen,
direct gaze, raising his brows and looking
over the tops of his spectacles.
He'Could Tell a Joke.
The walls of this room, too, nave often
rung with laughter, responsive to the kindly
joke, the ready jest, the queer "Reminiscences
OF olo times, ln1mltaDlY TOLD, with which
he made the time pleasant for groups of his
intimate friends, especially his old comrades
of the army. When a reporter visited him
he would get a cordial enough welcome to
the Generals nook, but presently old
''Tecumseh" would look up and say some-
thing like this: "Oh, what's the use of both
ering with an old fellow like me? Haven't
I had enough publicity? UmphI More
than I wanted. Now, my dear fellow, I
like you and your paper, but you mustn't
print anything about me; you really
mustn't"
His first public speech in New York City
after he came here was delivered at the dim
ner of the New England Society in Delmon-
ico's on Wednesday, December %, 1886. 1t
was at this dinner that Henry W. Grady |
made his memorable address on 1.-THE New
South"
In private life, among his friends, and
indeed with all who had the honor OF meet
ing him, General Sherman manifested
readiness of speech In a remarkable degree
by the versatility and unwearving charm of
his conversational powers. His modest and
unassumiDg manner lenr additional grace to
his graceful and entertaining words. When
he spoke at dinners he reserved for himself
conversational freedom. He abhorred the
letters of a toast or set sentiment, aud when
one was assigned to him he cast it lightly
aside in his opening sentence. Then he
would Ego ahead" as the spirit moved him,
and for the thoughts with which the spur
e L.