The Press., 1891-05-21
THE CAUSE OF ELoQUENcE.

THE CAUSE OF ELoQUENCE.
 "The details of the surrender to Sher- man have never been told," said General Joe Johnston, few weeks before his death. ":They will probably never be known to the public-I refer, of course, to the personal incidents, that seem anus ing now, but which at that remote time were full of tragic and pathetic meaning to us. I recall one day that went over to Sherman's headquarters to talk over the preliminaries of the proposed surren- der. Of course, it was my wish to secure the best terms could; wanted to spare my people all unnecessary humiliation. It occurred to me, that if Sherman's feel ings could be worked upon-if his heart could be touched-I would be able to se- cure more advantageous terms from him. Accordingly, on this particular occasion, I asked him if upon the following day 1 might bring John c. Breckinridge over to talk with him.
 "'And who is Breckinridge P" asked Sherman.
 "'He is our secretary of war; said I.
 "'No, sir,' said Sherman, harshly; I shall allow no civilian to interfere in this matter. We are to conduct this affair up- on basis of war and as between soldiers
 '''But,' said I, determined to bring Breckinridges eloquence to my assist 0f ic oiN general in our army
 "'Very we'll, then,' said Sherman. I shall be glad to talk with General Breck- inridge, but intend that no civilian shall have to do with this natter
 "Next day, Breckinridge and I started for Sherman's headquarters. Now Breck- inridge was man who had been used to his ten or twelve drinks per diem. Cir cumstances, over which none of us had any control, had finally cut off all supplies. Breckinridge was simply perishing for want of a drink. I recalled how, as we toiled along in the heat, poor Breckin- ridge sighed dolorously, and kept reiter- ating his pining for keg of fine old Ken lucky sour mash. At last, in sheer de- spair, he reached around and whipped out of his pocket long thin plug of green to. bacco. That, too, was rare luxury at that particular time. A friend had given it to him only the day before. He bit of an ample chew, and, as we trudged along on our way, he solemnly masticated his cud, as though, forsooth, he hoped there- by to allay the cravings of his parched fauees. When we reached the headquar- ters Sherman was not there, but present. ly he came in with 8 set of saddlebags over his arm. He was as cheerful as a breath of early spring.
 'Gentlemen,' said Sherman, T have brought along some hospital supplies. Will you honor me, General Breckin- ridge, by sampling this brandy?'
 "Breckinridge made no answer. I.shall never forget how deftly he got his hands up to his lips, gathered that tobacco out of his mouth, and hurled the odious quid into an obscure corner. Upon my word, twas pathetic.
 "'You say when, said Sherman, tip ping up the bottle and pouring out the cool, delicious beverage.
 "But, bless you! Breckinridge was not the man to cry enough. No, sir, he just let Sherman fill the glass to the top, and then at one prodigious draught he drained off the amber liquid. The effect was instantaneous; all at once he was the Breckinridge of old. And eloquent? Nev- CT before had the man pleaded for his fel- lows as John c. Breckinridge pleaded for his fellow-confederates that day. An tiquity was ransacked for instances illus trating the benignity and mercy of con- querors to conquered; the realms of po- etry were invaded, and bits of tender verse were utilized to soften the auditors proud heart; history, biography, philoso. phy-yes, every art was employed to gain the speakers end; it was masterpiece of scholarship, of oratory, of eloquence of pathos.
 Sherman was visibly affected. With l his hands thrust down into the pockets oi
 his trousers, he paced restlessly to and fro. I never saw 8 man more deeply \ moved. He strove to, but could not, con
 ceal his agitation. When finally Breck
 inridge ended and sat down, Sherman sai6 | not word for several moments, but con tinued to pace the floor nervously. Breck ! inridge reached around, drew forth tho l plug of green tobacco, and bit off another chew. The silence, so long unbroken became painful.
 'At last Sherman turned to the saddle
 bags, picked them up, produced the bran l dy bottle again, and poured out noble
 horn of the fiery substance. As deftly as
 before, Breckinridge put his hands to hit lips, and made away with his quid of to
 bacco. But no, the brandy was not fol him this time; Sherman tossed down tn,
 coveted draught himself. Y, .... .a.. l "The draught was fiery; 1t raspet | Sherman's throat and brought the wate into his eyes. But, pulling himself to gether, Sherman looked straight at Breck ! inridge and said: General, you find virtue in this brandy that do not find.
 was hoping it might give me, too, the cru
 dition the eloquence, the tenderness, an,
 the power with which you have wrough upon me. General Breckinridge, be
 lieve that if I were to give you anothe
 tumblerful of this brandy, you would b
 inspired to efforts so godlike, that befor
 sunset should surrender the union arm
 to you, instead of demanding the surren
 der of your arms to me!'
 "Some time after this incident" con
 tinued General Johnston, II was talkin