The Indianapolis journal., 1892-03-30

| cond tioDs of surrender, the presi.
| dents assassination and its dread conse-
quenccs the contemptDous reputation OF
| his terms by Secretary Stanton. :be grand re-
view OF his soldiers by the Cabinet and
| Congress at Washing gtOn. the ndignant re-
fussl of the proffered hand OF the Secretary
of War in tho presence of tne government
and the people, the farewell 10 and muster
out of his beloved army. and one of the
most picturesque. romantic and brilliant
military careers OF modern times came 20 n
close. Its ending had al the striking and
spectacular setting OF its course. and ITS
adventures achievements and surprises
will be for all time the delight OF the his
torinn and the inspiration OF the soldier.
The later years of most heroes have
been buffeted with storms. or have como 10
tragic end. Cesar. In the supreme hour
OF MS triumph. tell at the foot OF Pompeys
statue. pierced by the daggers fhis friends.
Napoleon fretted out his great soul IN tue
solitude of st. Helena Wellington lost
popularity and prestige in the strfes of
parties. Washington was worried and
wearled into bis grave by the cares OF
Once ana the lntrigues of his enemies
enemies. as he believed. also of his coun-
try. Grants death was hastened and his
last days clouded by the Vaccinations of
politicians aud the crimes of trusted asso-
cates But General sherman in retire
ment. led an ideal lifc Only Won Noltko
shares with him the peaceful pleasures of
content and of his peoples love.
REFUSED POLITICAL HoNoRs.
General Sherman had such peculiar and
striking elements of popularity thar party
leaders begged and besought him TO carry
their standard. His election would have
been certainty. and he knew il. Bat his
answer was, i will not accept if uomInat-
ed. and 1 will not serve if elected In
every mans life occurs an epoch when he
must choose his own career and when he
may not throw of tho responsibility or
tamely place his destiny in the hands OF
bis friends. Mine occurred IN Louisiana.
when, In 1861, alone In the midst Of n peo-
pie blinded by supposed wrongs, resolved
TO stand by the Union as long as a
fragment OF 1T survived on which 20
cling. i remember well the experiences
of Generals jackson, Harrison. Taylor,
Grant. Hayes and Garfield. all elected be-
cause OF their military services. and am
warned. not encouraged, by their SAD eX-
perlences.' Not the least of the dramatic
memories which will distinguish this most
| sincere and original actor In the drama OF
life will be that be will remain forever the
of the United States. Though declining
political preferment for himself be rejoiced
| in the honors bestowed upon any member
of his old army. i am proud he said that
| Ben Harrison is our President: that For
aker, Hovey. Fifcr and Humphreys are
Governors of the great States OF Ohio, In
diana, Illinois and Kansas, all my bOys."'
and he would have been wild with delight
| of New York.
His daily walks were a series OF tri-
umphal PROFESSIONS The multisudes never
| obtruded upon his privacy. but separated
| as he approached, and united when he
| passed, TO express their individual and col
lective affection and gratitude. The en-
csmpments OF the Grand Army were tame
III his absence. but his presence called to-
gether from fifty to n hundred thousand
comrades to greet Uncle Billy and rend
the heavens with the chorus of Marching
through Georgia. His versatile genius met
instantly and instinctively the exacting re-
quirements of an impromptu address be-
lore a miscellaneous audience. He pos
sessed beyond most men the qnieS SYM
patby with the occasion. the seriousness
and humor. the fervor and story, the crisp
argument and deiicacy of touch which
make the successful after-dinner speech.
lie was the most charmiDRly unconscious
OF fconversatlonalists. In his etfacement of
himself, and cordial recognition of others,
picturesque narrative of adventure. and
keen analysis of character. dry humor. and
hot defense or eulogy OF a friend. his talk
was both panorama and play. lie was
always a boy. with boys love of fun.
keen interest in current events, and trans
parent honesty of thought and expression.
HIS RESPECT FOR WOMEN.
"He loved the theater. and the stage. feel
ing the presence of discriminating but
admiring friend, was at Its best when Gen.
Sherman was in the audience. He was de-
lightfully happy in the applause and praise
of his countrymen and country women. He
felt that It came from their hearts, as it
went to his. Through his course as o cadet at
West Point and his career as n young officer
he ealed HE innermost soul IN frequent
correspondence with the daughter of has
adopted father, who became afterward his
wife. and whose wisdom. devotion and ten
derness made his homo his haven and his
heaven. No impure thought ever occupied
his mind or unclean word passed his lips.
There WAS something SO delicate and defer
entail In his treatment of women, the COM
pliment was so sincere. both in manner and
speech. that the knightly courtesy of Bay
ard had in him the added charm of a recog-
milton of womsn's equal mind and Judg-
ment.
He lived in and with the public. There
was something in the honesty and clear
purpose OF crowds which was in harmony
with his ready sympathy and unreserved
expression and action Oh every question.
He delighted In large cities. and espe-
cialiy In New York The mighty and yet
orderly movements of great populations
wero in harmony with his constant con-
temptation Of grand campaigns. His pene-
trating and sensitive mind found rest and
recreation In the lImitless varieties of met
ropolitan life. He so quickly caught the
step OF every assemblage. that he was
equally az home among scientists and Sun
day school teachers, alumni associa tions and
national societies, club festivities. cham
bers of commerce celebrations and Telig-
ious conventions. He never hesItated 10
respond on any and all these occasions 10
call for speech, and always struck a
chord which was so in unison with the
thought of his audience 5 to leave last
ing impression. After the moet serious H~d
important of consultations or meetings. tn
small hours of the night wonld often h..d
him the honored guest, boon companion
among bohemans. or old comrades. but
in all the freedom Of story and repartce of
humor or recitation. neither he nor they
ever for an instant forgot that they were
| In the presence of General sherman.
He was entirely free from the intense
and absorbing passion for wealth which
characterizes our times. He knew little OF
and cared less for the processes of money
getting. The one place in the country
where fortunes were never estimated was
bis house. and his was the only presence
where riches. their requirement and their
uses were never discussed. lie was saIis-
lied with his well-earned pay from the gov
ernment and did not envy those who pos
sessed fortunes. In his simple tastes aud
ohild-like simplicity, he lived aud
moved In the midst of the ri gantic combina-
tions and individual efforts 10 secure
| larger share of stocks, and bonds. and
lands, be stood TO the financial expansions
and revulsiOns of the day as did the Vicar
OF Wakefield to the fashionable society or
his period.
L