The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-04-11
fully before submitting It to tho Prcsi-
ntand secretary OF war, and feel sat-
islied thatit,could not possibly DO APP

fully before submitting It to tho Prcai-
dent and secretary OF war, and feel sat-
lslied ihat;it, could not possibly bo ap-
proved" ~ y
In tho salno letter he states that upon
his suggestion 4 cabinet meeting was
called, tho result OF which was "thc dis
approval by the President OF tho, basis
lad down and tho disapproval OF tho
negotiations altogether, except for tho
surrender OF tho army commanded by
General Johnston and an order for tho
termination oil tho armisticc and tho
resumption OF hostilities.
have before mo while l write the
original OF tho following note from
Hrenoral Grant to Secretary Stanton:
"uEADQuRrEns ARMIES OF THE U. s.,
"WAsluSGToN, D. c.,
"April 81, 1866. J
"lion. L. " Stanton, Stereiary Of War
"SlR:-l have received and just com.
pleted reading tho dispatches brought
by special messenger from General
Sherman. They aro OF such Importance
that think immediate action should
be taken on them, and 1t should be
done by the President in council with
his whole cabinet.
u would respectfully suggest wheth.
cr the President should bc notified and
all his cabinet. and n meeting take
place tonight Very respectfully,
"Your obcdicnt servant
"U. s. GRANT,
Lieutenant General"
Gen. Grant started Immediately aftor
the adjournment OF the cabinet mcet-
ing for Raleigh, n. c., and arrived at
Sherman's headquarters on the oath, to
execute the Presidents order. Under
this order Sherman gave notice that
hostilities would be resumed, where
upon Johnston's army was surrender
ed upon tho tcrms accorded by Grant to
Lee.
AS amatter OF prudence and neccssi-
ty, MIR. Stanton telcgraphed to Gen.
John a. Dix, then in New York with
permission to publish the same, Il copy
OF the Shcrman-Johnston agreement
and its disapproval by the government.
To it was appended the reasons for its
disapproval. These reasons were as
follows:
l. 1t was an exercise OF an authority
not vested in General Sherman and on
its face shows that both he and John
ston knew that General Sherman had
no authority to enter into any such ar
rangement.
3. 1t was practical acknowledgement
OF tho rebel government.
3. 1t undertook to re.cstdblish the
rebel state government that had been
overthrown at the sacrifice OF many
thousand loyal lives aud an immense
treasury, and placed the arms and
munitions OF war in tho hands OF tho
rebels at theirrcspectiye capitals, which
might be used as soon as the armies OF
the United States were disb3nded, and
used to. conquer and subdue the loyal
states.
/. BY the restoration OF rebel author
ity in their respective states they would
be enabled to re-cstablish slavery.
o. 1t might furnish q ground OF re-
sponsibiity for the federal government
to pay the rebel debts, and certainly
subject the loyal nations OF rebel states
to debts contracted by rebels in the
state. ~
Z 6. 1t would put in dispute the exist
cncc OF loyal state governments and the
new state OF West Virginia, which has
been recognized by every department
OF the United States government.
7. 1t practically abolished the coniis-
cation laws, and relieved the rebels OF
every degree who had slaughtered our
people from all pains and penalties for
their crimes.
s. Itgave terms that had been de-
liberately, repeatedly and solenlnly re-
jected by President Lincoln, and better
terms than the rebels had ever asked
III their most prosperous condition.
8. 1t formed no basis OF true and last
ing peace, but relieved tho rebels from
tho pressure OF our victories and lett
them in condition to renew their efforts
to overthrow the United States govern
ment and subduo the loyal states whcr-
ever their strength was recruited and
any opportunity was offered.
The publication OF their reasons was
absolutely demanded in tho interest OF
public safety. The expectations which
General Sherman had raised in the
minds OF the army and the people that
our soldiers only awaited the Presi-
dents order to return rejoicing to their
homes, could not be realized under his
terms consistently with dignity or
safety OF the country. This had to be
made evidcntto to the people and to the
army to prevent serious and perhaps
dangerous discomfort.
In conclusion allow mo to quote one
more authority in support Of Mr.. STAN
toms views, and in condemnation OF
General Shcrman's fearful mistake. The
authority will not be seriously Ques-
toned by you. 1t reads as follows:
CLEVELAND, ONO, April 81, 1865.
"AIY DEAR SlR:-I am distressed be.
yond mersurc at the terms granted
Johnston by General Sherman. They
are inadmissablc. There should now
be literally no terms bc granted. We
should not only brand the leading
rebels with infamy, but tie whole re.
bellion should wear the badge OF pcni.
tentiary.
Yet, with these views, l feel that
gross injustice has been done General
sherman, aud especially by the press.
The most that can be said Of him is that
he granted the rebels too liberal terms.
The same may be said, buts the less de.
gree, OF Mr.. Lincoln and General Grant.
in their arrangement with Lee. Gen
cral Sherman had not understood tho
political bearing OF that agreement. 1t
is his misfortune that he believed tho
promises OF these men and looks upon
tho whole contest in q simple view. Ho
thought tho disbanding OF their armies
was the end OF the war, while VIC know