The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-11
fROMSTANTON'SPAPER
The Hon. George C. Gorham Attacks
Senator Sherman
DID He EXCEED HIS AUTHORITY
IN Discussing Public Policies With john
ston-Tbs Death Of Gen. Charles w.
Field-More q. A. IL. Posts Engage
Quarters NJ the Capital.

WARRINGTON, April 1.-THE Hon. Geo.
C.. Gorham, a. custodian of the private
papers Of Secretary Stanton and en-
cared upon his biography, has written an
opsn letter to Senator sherman. The let
Ter quotes from the Senator's recent ad-
dress IN New York on Gen. Sherman, the
references to tho terms proposed by Gen.
sherman for the surrender OF the forces
OF Gen. Joseph Johnston and other COM
handlers at he CLOSE of the civil war.
MT. German states that the Senator
would have it understood that while Gen.
Sherman was engaged in a praiseworthy
military act, which President Lincoln
would have desired him TO perform, he
was insulted and his arrangements set
aside by President johnson m Sccreta.
~ Stanton In Q mean and narrow spirit
OF revenge, because of the assassination OF
lincoln, and that the kindness OF Gen.
Grant interposed between him and these
alleged enemies, and that the two gen.
erxfS agreed on new terms and ended the
Mr.. Gorhan then says: "whatever pol
isy Mr.. Lincoln might a. recommend
cd to Congress for the restoration OF the
Confederate states to their relation with
the Union, none know better than you
that he never would have undertaken to
usurp the powers OF Congress on the sub
Jsets much l:ss to allow 2 military s hI :,
authorized arrangement made under the
supervision Of Jefferson Davis and his
cabinet"
10 show that Mr.. Lincoln left no room
for doubt ON this point Mr.. Gorham
quotes the following sent to Gen. Grant
BY Secretary Stanton q fortnight before
the 6herman-Johnston negotiations:
ssrhe President directs me to say to you
that he wfshes you to have no conference
with Gen. Lee unless IL be for the capitu-
lation Of Lees army, or on solely minor
or purely military matters"
are not TO decide, discuss, or confer on
any political questions. such questions
the president holds in his own hands and
VIII submit them to no military confer
snces or convsntsons."
"Meantime You are to press to the
utmost your military advantages"
Mr.. Gerham remarks that though e
Sherman had not seen this order when he
made HIS arrangement with Johnston, il
- none the less absolute proof that Mr..
Lincoln would have disapproved the ar
rangement.
such ~sdmonition to teach him that the
discussion of public policies in Q military
convention, was ar invasion of the civil
authority and wholly outside the powers
and duties Of . military commander.
Mf. 0srham also states that Gen. Sher-
MAJ, IN . letter to Secretary Stanton,
wfit6sD after receiving the governments
disspprvval Of his terms, said: 81 admit
my folly in embracing In q military con-
veuti0n any civic matters"
Mr.. Gcrham then quotes q letter writ
ten to Mr.. Stanton by Senator Sherman
himself, on April q, 1855, in which the
Senator says:
IT am distressed beyond measure at the
farms granted Johnston by Gen. sherman:
They are nadnissable There should
now BE- literally no terms granted. We
should not Only brand the leading rebels
with infamy, but tho whole rebellion
snoulc war s ne . paoss OF sGe Pen Isss
no man who has taken part in it would
dare justify or palliate IT."
Mr.. German says that Gen. Grant con-
dempcd Gen. Sherman's act before con-
sultfng either President Johnston or Sec
rotary 6tanton. He wrote at oncet TO Gen.
agreement and said: "I read it carefully
before submitting IL TO the President and
Secretary Of War. and felt satisfied that
~ co1ll not possibly be approved"
N Ito same letter he states that upon
hs suggestion, . cabinet meeting was
approval by the President of the basis
laid down, and the d~isapproval Of the ne
collation. A3ogether, except for the sur
render Of the army commanded by Gen.
Johnston, and an order for the termina-
ticn Of TIE srmistice and the resumption
Of hostiiitiss."
Gen. Grant started Immediately after
the cabinet meeting for Raleigh, N. c.,
TO execute the Presidents order. Under
this order Sherman gave notice that hos
tiLitieg would be resumed, whereupon
Johnsten's army was surrendered upon
the terms accorded by Grant to Lee.
ME-. 00rham In conclusion says he hon.
ored and admired Gen. Sherman and en-
joysd his friendship. No more patriotic
American, no Drawer or more faithful SOL
der ever lived. But he also honored and
admired Mr.. Stanton, and he cannot re-
main silent when one of the greatest and
wiseet OF his onicial acts is misstated and
perverted in . useless snort TO show that
Cen. sherman was right, when he, him
self, admitted with the concurrence Of
Senator bhcrman) that he was wrong.
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