The record-union., 1892-04-11

the Major T rCion of the Mex
Two or TIL zee Weeks-wiIliam c.
Ralston to be Appointed as Success
sor to Leavy In the Appraisers Of
flee at San Francisco.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, April 10.-Hon. George
Z. Gorham, custodian of the private
papers of Secretary Stanton. and who is
engaged on his biography, has written an
open letter to Senator Sherman, dealing
with the striking portions of the Sena-
tors recent address, and embodying sun
dry important historical documents not
before published. After repeating the
reference Sherman made to the terms of
surrender made by General Sherman, in
accordance with Lincoln's policy, for the
forces of General Joseph Johnston and
other commanders at the close of the war,
Gorham said:
GU would have it understood that
General Sherman was set upon and in
suited, and his arrangements set aside by
President Johnson and Secretary Stanton
IN mean and narrow spirit of revenge,
and that General Grant interposed and
the two generals agreed on new terms
ana ended the war. Whatever was
Llncoln's policy none knew better than
you that he never usurped the powers of
congress or allowed military subordi-
nate to guide him by an authorized ar
rangement made under the supervision
OF Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet. A
fortnight before the Sherman-J ohnston
negotiations Lincoln directed Grant to
nave no conference with Lee, unless for
the arrangement of Lees capitulation
or purely military matters. This is proof
that Lincoln would have disapproved
Sherman's arrangement. General Sher-
man, after receiving the Governments
disapproval Of his terms said: I admit
my folly IN embracing in a military con-.
vention any civic matters
our references to Grant coming to
'Sherman's relief would lead to the sup
position that Grant approved the agree
ment. On the contrary, be condemned it,
before it was submitted to the President
or Secretary Stanton"
Gorham quotes letter from Grant to
Stanton, in which the former advises the
receipt Of Sherman's dispatches, and re-
quests Cabinet council at once, as they
are OF such importance. In the note to
Sherman, Grant advises him of the dis
except for the surrender of Johnston's
army, and an order for the termination of
the armlstlce and a resumption of HOSTILE
ties. Grant joined Sherman. and Sher-
man gave notice of the resumption of
hostilities. Johnston thereupon sur
rendered on the terms accorded Lee by
Grant.
AS matter of prudence and necessity,
Stanton telegraphed to General Dix in
New York to publish the same, with a
copy of the Sherman-J ohnston agree
ment and its disapproval by the Govern
ment, to which was appended the reasons
OF disapproval, which were that Sherman
exercised authority not vested in him,
and made practical acknowledgement
of the rebel government. The agree
ment undertook TO re-establish a rebel
state OF Government and placed the arms
and munitions OF war in the hands of
the rebels, which might be used to sub
due loyal States, and a restoration of
rebel authority to enable the re-establish-
ment of slavery. 1t would permit the
Federal Government to pay the rebel
debts, and subject loyal citizens of rebel
States to the debtss would put in dispute
the existence OF government of Ioyal
States and the new State of West Vir-
glnia; abolish the confscation laws, and
relieve the rebels of penalties for crimes:
gave the terms repeatedly rejected by
Lincoln and better terms than the rebels
ever asked, and formed no basis of true
and lasting peace"
Gorham says the publication of the dis
approval had to be made to prevent seri-
Gus and perhaps dangerous discomfort
But no one will question the good inten-
tions of General Sherman in making the
agreement.
In conclusion, Gorham quotes one more
authority supporting Stanton and con-
demning General Sherman, no less than
letter written by John Sherman from
Cleveland on April 81, 1865, to Secretary
of War Stanton. saying he was distressed
beyond measure at the terms granted by
General Sherman, and that they were in
admissible. Yet he felt gross injustice
had been done General Sherman who at
the worst granted the rebels too liberal
terms. But the same could be said of
Lincoln and Grant in the Lee arrange
ment. General Sherman had not under
stood the political bearing of the agree
ment, but looked upon the contest
from a simple military view Gen
eral Sherman asserted his willingness,
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 GEN
eral Sherman unjustly dealt with, and
know you will not permit it; especially
do not want him driven into the fellow
ship of the Copperheads."
In commenting upon the letter, Cor
ham says he cannot find any reference to
the insults with which it is now asserted
Johnson and Stanton rejected Sherman,s
terms. He honored and admired Sher-
man, also Stanton, and, being a biogra-
pher, could not rema II silent when one
of Stanton's greateet and wisest acts was
misstated to show that General Sherman
was right when he Senator Sherman) adj
mitted that he was wrong.