Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-04-16
DEFENDING STANTON.

marks on Zen. w. Il. Shormhn.
WASHINGTON, April 11.-Hon. Geo. G.
Gorham, who is engaged on biography
Of the late Secretary Stanton, has written
an open letter to Senator Sherman in
which he excerpts to the following in
the senator's late eulogy upon Gen.
Sherman:
"'Gen. Sherman believed in and
sought to carry out the policy Of Abra-
ham Lincoln. The terms Of the surren-
der were tentative and the conditions
were entirely subject to the supervision
of the executive authorities but instead
Of being submitted to the generous and
forgiving patriot who had fallen they
were passed upon in the shadow of q
great crime by stern and relentless enc
mics, who had not consented to the con-
ditions imposed by Gen. Grant and who
would have disregarded them had not
Gen. Grant threatened to resign upon
the refusal to carry out his terms.
"'When the arrangement with Gen.
Johnston was submitted to President
johnson and Mr.. Stanton, it was reject
ed with the insulting intimation that it
proceeded from either cowardice or
treachery. The old cry against GEN
Sherman was again started. It was
even imputed that he would attempt to
play the part of Crowell or military
usurper.
"'The generous kindness of Grant
came to his relief. New terms were
agreed upon and the war closed
Mr.. Gorham says:
"You would have It understood by
this that while Gen. Sherman was en-
gagged in a praiseworthy and purely
military act, which President Lincoln
would have desired him to perform had
he lived, he was set upon and insulted
and his arrangements set aside by Pres
ident johnson and Edwin Stanton,
then secretary of war, in o mean and
narrow spirit Of revenge, because OF the
assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln and that at
this juncture, the generous kindness OF
Gen. Grant interposed between him and
these alleged enemies and that the two
generals agreed on new terms and ended
the war. You state oil this as though
you had approved Gen. Sherman's
course"
After quoting from many letters and
showing the error Of Gen. Sherman'S
position the letter closed with the fol-
lowing:
Elm conclusion allow me to quote one
more authority in support Of Mr.. Stan
toms view and in condemnation OF Gen.
Sherman's fearful mistake. Tho
authority will not be seriously ques-
toned by you. 1t reads as follows:
SENATOR sHERMAN's LETTER.
"'MY DEAR SIR:-I am distressed be-
yond measure at the terms granted
Johnston by Gen. Sherman. They arc
inadmissible. There should now DO
literally no terms granted. We should
not only brand the leading rebels with
infamy, but the whole rebellion should
wear the badge of the penitentiary; fol
this generation, at least, no man who
has taken part in the war dare justify
or palliate it.
''Yet with these views l feel thai
gross injustice has been done Gen. Sher-
man, especially by the press. The most
that can be said about him is that he
granted the rebels too liberal terms.
The same may be said, but in q less de-
gree of Mr.. Lincoln and Gen. Grant in
their arrangement with Lee. Gen. Sher-
man had not understood the political
bearing of that agreement 1t Is his
misfortune that he believed the prom
ises of these men, and looks upon the
whole contest In o simple military view.
He thought the disbanding Of their
armies is the end Of the war, while we
knew to arm them with the elective
franchise and state organizations Is to
renew the war.
81 feel so troubled at this matter, fol-
lowing so closely on the death Of Mr..
Lincoln, that I was inclined to drop ev-
erything and go to Raleigh, but prom
ised to Join the funeral cortege here,
and on Saturday week have agreed to
deliver eulogy in honor Of Mr.. Lincoln
at Mansfield. This over, / viii gladly
20 to Washington or anywhere else,
where shall do the least service.
sd not wish Gen. Sherman TO be
unjustly dealt with, and / know that
you will not permit it. Especially do
not want him driven into fellowship
with the copperheads- His military
services have been too valuable to the
country to be stained by any such 1el-
lowship. Ifyou can, in your multiplied
engagements, drop me line pray doeo
You can If you choose show this 10 the
president, or indeed to anyone. Very
truly yours, JOHN SHERMAN
81 cannot find in this letter any ref
erence TO the insult with which you
now assert that Gen. Sherman's terms
were rejected by President johnson and
Mr.. Stanton, but do find in 1t IN as
surance from you to Secretary Stanton
that you knew he would not permit
Gen. Sherman to be unjustly dealt with.
'EYou could not have said this had you