The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-07
Special to the REcoRp-UN1oN.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
NEW YORK, April 6.-At the Loyal
League banquet tonight Senator Sher-
man responded 10 the toast in honor OF
the memory of General w. r. Sherman
IN an interesting speech of great length
lie reviewed the career OF the General
from early childhood; spoke about the
warm confidence and affection which had
always existed between them; told how
they separated after the death of their
Iather, and stated that at the time the
General went to West Point there COM
menced between them a correspondence
which continued up to within one week
OF the Generals death, only interrupted
when the thread of their lives brought
them together at Washington. He de-
tailed the Generals career in California
through the gold excitement, as banker
and lawyer; told about his return to the
East and his employment in the military
academy In Louisiana.
AS 10 the General taking sides in the
war, the Senator said the movement
Which LED him into it was his intense
patriotism. Secession would destroy the
Union and thereafter he was opposed to
secession. He certainly did not enter the
military service on account of slavery,
Tor his sympathy and friendship was
largely with the South. In letter writ
ten in the fall of 1854, congratulating a
brother upon his election as member to
Congress, he said: las a young mem
Der, hope you will not be too forward,
especially on the question of slavery,
which 1t seems is rising every year more
and more into question of real danger,
notwithstanding compromises. Having
lived I hjH,lx
know practically more about slavery
than you do. If it were a new question.
no one would contend Tor introducing it.
but this old and historic fact YOU must
take as you find it,
Alter reviewing General Sherman's
resignation from the Louisiana Academy,
ETC., the Senator said the General came TO
Washington III March, 1861, TO advise the
authorities OF the condition of affairs III
the South and offer his services He was
| amazed at the apathy he found. lie
talked to President Lincoln, who said he
hoped they would not need soldiers.
What was said by Lincoln was kindly
meant, but it had an unpleasant effect on
General Sherman, who, when leaving.
said to his brother: These men are
sleeping on volcano, but l have done
my duty"
The Senator touched on the attack of
certain newspapers on Cne General at the
time of his assertion that 100000 troops
would be required to open UP the MisSis-
sippi River, and said III reference thereto:
II knew full well the charge OF insanity
was false, and understood better than
anyone else his strong opinions as to the
nature of the war and how easily his
frank and open, but true, declarations
could be used as evidence of timidity, or
even INSANITY
The Senator went on to show how the
ha
portunity to demonstrate his sanity.
Speaking OF his part in the battle of
Shiloh, the Senator says that there COM
menced his friendship with General
Grant, which, like Damon and Pythias,
has been made the subject of song and
story. 1t was one Of the most interesting
incidents of the war, and continued I'M
broken while both lived.
Speaking of the row which was raised
over the first surrender arranged between
Sherman and Johnston, the Senator said
he knew that the General believed in
agreeing to those terms, that he was car
rying out the policy outlined by Presi-
dent Lincoln in the famous interview at
Hampton Roads. He did not know, how
ever, that the brutal murder of Lin
coin had aroused in the minds
OF the Northern people deep feeling
of resentment which would not tolerate
the liberal terms granted to Johnston and
the remnant OF the rebel forces. The
fatal bullet had changed the whole situa-
ton. But for this desperate act, the
whole history of reconstruction would
have been reversed. As it was, the old
cry against Sherman was again stirred
until the generous kindness of General
Grant came TO his relief, new terms were
agreed on, and the war closed.
Speaking of the traits of the Generals
character, the Senator said he was dis
nj al
hood for love and veneration for. and
obedience to his mother and affection for
his family. He also spoke OF the atfec-
ton in the army for .'Uncle Billy,