Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-07

word that the President desired to meet him
at Hampton Roads. He went and held the
famous interview with President Lincoln,
Grant and Porter: There was then a, absoin.e ha,,
| lion. Lincoln, full OF charity and loving
| kindness, was studying over the best mode
| of closing the war and restoring the old
union. When Johnston proposed to surren-
| der the conversation with Lincoln was
| fresh in the mind of General Sherman, and
| know that he believed that in agreeing to
the terms of the surrender he was carrying
| out the policy outlined by Mr.. Lincoln. He
could not know, however, that the brutal
murder of Mr. Lincoln 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 bull
let shot by Booth had changed the whoIe
whole history of reconstruction would have
been reversed.
Trying to Follow Lincoln's Policy.
General Sherman believed in and sought
to carry out the policy OF Mr. Lincoln. The
terms of surrender we're tentative, and the
conditions were entirely subject to the
supervision of the Executive authorities;
but instead of being submitted to the gener-
Gus and forgiving patriot who had fallen,
they were passed upon in the shadow OF
great crime by stern and relentless enemies,
who would not have consented to the condi-
tions imposed by General Grant upon Cen
eral Lee, and who would have disregarded
them had not General Grant threatened to
resign upon their refusal to carry out his
terms.
The old cry against General Sherman was
again started. 1t was even imputed that he
would attempt to play the part OF a Crom-
well or n military usurper. The generous
kindness of Grant came to his relief, new
terms were agreed on and the war closed.
It seemed to be the fate of General Sherman
that when he was most clearly r1ght, testeu
1,a daa nd a
clearly wrong. His services were rejected
when he urged prompt action. He was ad-
judged insane when his mind was most
clear, and was deemed false to his trust at
the close of the war when he endeavored to
carry out the policy and instructions OF
Abraham Lincoln.
During the review OF the Union armies IN
Washington one of the most imposing civic
demon stra tions of all times, he proudly rode
along the length of Pennsylvan1a avenue
from the Capitol to the White House, re-
ceivng the acclamations and covered with
flowers by a grateful people, and was re-
ceived by the President and General Grant,
surrounded by an enthusiastic multitude
and patriotic citizens: After the war, Gen.
peace.
Sherman's Career After the War.
By the election of General Grant as PresI-
dent, be became General, but he had little
to do and chafed for want Of employment.
He became deeply interested in the Grand
Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion.
He attended their meetings, and soon formed
the habit of making short speeches to SOL
diers, and thus developed talent for speak
ing.
Politics he carefully avoided. He was
urged to accept nomination for President.
but he would not listen to it. When had an
obn hs VIII XIX Ne Thsy Isd
Harrison; they killed Taylor. and Lincoln
and Garfield and will kill YOU" 1t was use.
less to tell him that some people were killed
necessarily fatal To him political life had
no pleasing aspirations but all forms OF
social life, conversation, travel, theaters,
cards without gambling, which he abhorred;
dancing. lectures, reading, literary and
scientific pursuits, all forms OF study ana
amusement gave him pleasure and occupa-
tion. His whole life since his retlrement
was under the public gaze, and when at the
age of II, after brief illness, he died In this
city, its whole population in silence and sad
ness watched his funeral train
There are certain traits of General Shel.
man upon which can and ought to speak
with greater knowledge and confidence than
of his military career. He was distinguished,
first of all, from his early Doyhood, Tor ms
love and veneration for and obedience to
his mother.
Shared His Salary With His Mother.
There never was a time since his appoint
ment as o cadet to his death that he did not
insist upon sharing with her his modest pay
and gave to her most respectful homage and
duty 1t is hardly necessary in this pres
ence to refer to his devotion to his wife,
Ellen Ewing Sherman. They were born in
households, reared from child
hood in the same family, early attached and
pledged to each other, married when ne
reached the grade OF captain, shared in
affection and respect the joys ana sorrows
of life and paid the last debt to nature
within few months of each other. The
off n bestowed
children. General Sherman always paid the
most respectful attention to women in every
rank and condition of life, the widow and
the orphan, the young and the old.
He was the most unselfish man l ever
knew. He did not seek for high rank, and
often expressed doubts of his fitness for
mirer of Abraham Lincoln as the war
progressed, and more than once expressed
to him desire for subordinate duty. He
never asked for promotion, but accepted it
when given. His letters to me are full of
urgent requests Tor the promotion of officers
who rendered distinguished services, but
never his own.
When the bill for the retirement of officers
at the age OF 63 was pending, he was ex-
cepted from its operation. He telegraphed
me insisting that no exception should be
made in his favor; that General Sheridan
should have the promotion and rank OF
General, who had fairly earned it, This was
but Congress- with great kindness,
continued to General Sherman the full pay
OF Gencrdi Wuon uo was pldCtu Ou Vie Ic-
tired list.
A Strictly Honorable Business Man.
In his business relations he was bound by
a scrupulous sense Of honor and duty. I
never knew of him doing anything which
the most exacting could say was dishonora-
bic, violation OF duty or right. General
Sherman, though not responsible in law or
equity for loss that common prudence
could not foresee, yet he felt that he was Gin I
honor bound" to secure from loss those who |
had confided in him, and used for that pur- |
pose all, or nearly all, his own savings. The |
same exact accountability was practiced by |
him in all acts with the United States. In |
nv personal business relations with him 1 |
found him TO be exact and particular to the |
last degree, insisting always paying fully |
every debt and his share OF every expense. |
doubt il any man living can truly say that
General Sherman owes him q dollar while |
know he has been generous in |
giving in proportion to his means.
While the war lasted General Sherman
was soldier intent upon putting down
what he conceived to be a causeless rebel
ion. He said that war was barbariSm that
could not be reformed, and the speediest
way to end it was to prosecute 1t with vigor
to complete success. When this was done
md the Union was saved he was for the
most liberal terms of conciliation and kind
ness to the Southern people. Never since
5he close of the war have l heard him utter
words of bitterness against the enemies he
-ouubt nor the men the North who had