The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-11
SENATOR SHERMAN CRITICIZED.
George c. Gorham Replies to Statements
Made in Recent Speech.

WASHINGTON, April TO- hon. George G.
Gornam, the custodian of the private papers
OF Secretary Stanton. and who is engaged
In his biography, has written an open letter
to Senator Sherman, dealing with the strik-
ing portions of the Senators recent address.
and embodyiDg certain sundry important
historical documents not before published.
After repeating the reference Sherman
made to the terms of surrender made by
General Sherman in accordance with Lin
coins policy, for tie forces of General
Joseph johnson and other commanders at
the close OF the war, GOrham said:
You would have il understood that Gen.
eral Sherman was set upon aud nSulted,
and his arrangements set aside by President
johnson and Secretary Stanton In a mean
and narrow spirit of revenge, and that Gen.
eral Grant interposed, and the two generals
agreed on new terms and ended the war.
Whatever was LncOln's policy. none
knew better than you that he never
usurped the powers of Congress or allowed
a military subordinate 10 be guided by
an authorized arrangement made under the
supervision of jefferson Davis and his
cabinet. A fortnight before the Sherman
johnson negotiations Lincoln directed
Grant 10 have no conference with Lee un-
less for an arrangement Of Lees capitula-
tion or purely military matters. This is a
proof that Lincoln would have disapproyed
of Sherman'S arrangements. General
sherman, after receiving the Governments
disapproyal OF his terms said: i admit the
folly in embracing in a military convention
any civic matters Your reference to
Grant coming to Sherman's relief would
lead to tie supposi;ion that Grant approved
CT the agreement. On tile contrary, he
condemned it. before it was submitted TO
the President or 10 Secretary Stanton"
Gorham quotes a letter from Grant to
Stanton, in which the former advises him
of the receipt of Sherman's dispatches, and
requests the Cabinet TO go into council at
once, as they are of such Importance. In a
note 10 Sherman Grant advises him of the
disapproval by the President of the negOtia-
tons 10 accep. surrender OF Johnston's
army. and an order for the termination of
the armStice and the resumption Of hostili-
ties. Grant Joined Sherman. and Sherman
gave notice of the resumption OF hOstilltes,
and Johnson thereupOn surrendered on
the terms accorded Lee by Grant AS a
matter of prudence and necessity Stanton
telegraphed to General Dix in New
York to publish the same, with a copy
of the Sherman johnson agreement
aud its disapproyal by the Government, TO
which be appended the reasons for disap-
proval, which were that Sherman exercised
authority not vested in him, and made
practical acknow ledgmen mt of the rebel gov
eminent. The agreement undertook To re-
establish the rebel State Government, and
placed arms and munitions of war In the
hands OF the rebels, which might be used 10
subdue the loyal States, and the restoration
of rebel authority would enable the re-
establishment OF slavery, and would
permit the Federal Government to
pay rebel debts, aud subject the
debts. Ii would put in jeopardy the exist
ence Of the Government Of the loyal States
and the new State OF West Virginia; abol-
ish the coniseatiOn OF laws and relieve the
rebels Of penalties for crimes. 1t gave
terms repeatedly rejected by Lincoln and
better terms tEau the rebels ever asked,
formed no basis OF true and lasting peace.
Gorham says the publication of the disap-
proval was TO be made to prevent serious
and perhaps dangerous discomfort, but no
one will question the coed intentions of
General Sherman in making the agreement
iD conclusion. G0rbam quotes Que more
authority supporting Stanton aud condemn
ing SheTman-nO less than letter written
by John Sherman from Cleveland on April
u, 1865, to Secretary OF War Stanton, saying
he was distressed beyond measure at tho
terms granted by Sherman, aud that they
were inadmissible, yet he felt that gross
injustice had been done to General Sher-
man, who at the worst granted the rebels
too liberal terms: but the same could be
said of Lincoln and Grant in the Lee ar
rangement. Sherman had not understood
the political bearing Of the agreement, but
looked upon the contest from a simple mill
tary view. Sherman asserted his willing
ness, being so troubled about the matter.
to go to Washington or anywhere else where
he could render the least service In
closing he said: Il do not wish
General Sherman to be unjustly
dealt with and know you will not permit it.
especially do not want him driven into the
fellowship of copperheads." In comment
ing upon the letter GOrham saws he cannot
find any reference to the insult for which it
Is now asserted Johnston aud Stanton re-
jected Shernan's terms. He honored and
admired Sherman, also Stanton. and. being
when one of Stantons greatest and wisest
acts was misstated TO show Sherman was
right when he Senator Sherman) had ad-
mitted that ne was wrong.