The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-04-07
TO u Brothers High Personal
81 Character and Patriotism.
SHERMAN SPEAKS OF SHERMAN.
Tho Senator Responds TO tho Toast to
Ills Soldier Brothers Memory at tho
Loyal Legion Banquet In Now York.
a Man Who Lived for Ills Country.
lic Knew No Political Party but was
for tho Union Above All Other
Things.-.iiis Characteristics.

=
Legion banquet tonight Senator shcr-
man responded as follows to tho toast 10
the memory OF his brother, Gen. w. 7.
Sherman:
It's no task for me to respond to your
toast in honor Of tho memory Of Con.
eral Sherman. did not fully apprc-
ciate this when I accepted tho invita-
tion Of your commander, General
swaync. lIc and l often, In tho ireo-
dom OF personal friendship and inter;
course, have talked OF tho traits and
characteristics OF leading acts in your
civil war and especially OF Gen. Sherman
to whom each OF us was bound by the
strongest ties; hc by intimate associa-
tion, by tho warmest friendship that
had existed between his father and
mine, and by tho closer ties OF COM
radeship in war, and by the natural ties
OF brothers associated during all our
lives in tho most intimate confidence
and affection. 1t Is ono thing to tall;
with Il personal friend about incidents
in the lifc OF man OF such varied ad-
venture and experience us Gen. Shcr-
man, BUTT is quite another thing 10 pre-
semitic anaudiencc oven to his comrades,
however partial they may be, the Just
measure OF praise duo to his memory
without seeming TO derogate from the
equal or higher praise. due to his asso-
ciates. As. TO the merits and services OF
Gen. Sherman rs soldier l am not an
impartial judge. His standing as such
will rest mainly upon the opinions OF
his comrades and the official record Of
events now being gathered into volumes
too numerous and large to be read en-
cept by the compiler and proof reader.
All | can do is to recall some personal
incidents and traits illustrative OF his
lie from boyhood to old age.
IN speaking of his war career, Sena-
tor Sherman said: lie seemed to have
reached a haven oi rest, when, without
any fault OF his, he was compelled to
choose his side in the great tragedy of
civil war. He had no pride in or hate
for any section, and he belonged to no
political party. lie had cherished
friends in both parties and in all sec
tions. When, therefore, ho was COM
pelled to choose his side OF the civil
war, is it any wonder that he was on
the side of tho union? Secession
would destroy the union, and therefore
he was opposed to secession. .z--..-...s...--..
The motive that led him into the war
was this intense patriotism. This was
the most striking trait OF his character.
The evils OF slavery, the dictates OF
party, and the hope of promotion had
no influence with him. Tho seizure Of
the arms and arsenals Of thes United,
States at Baton Rouge on the 10th OF
January, 1851, the forced surrender OF
Captain Haskins company of artillery,
the transfer OF some OF the arms to the
military academy in charge OF General
Sherman, making him the receiver OF
stolen goods, and those goods the
property OF the United States, fired his
blood, aroused his patriotism and
forced him to take his stand.
AVOIDED POLITICS.
l knew full we'll that this charge was
false and understood better than any
one else his strong opinions as to the
nature OF tho war, and how easily his
frank and open but true declarations
could be used rs an evidence of timidity
or even sanity. Though then engaged
in recruiting brigade, l went to Louis
vile aud found him cool and self
possessed but very willing to be relieved
from that command and to turn over
his forces to General Buell.. Politics he
carefully avoided.
lie was urged to accept n nomination
for President, but no would not listen
to it. When l had an inclination that
way he demonstrated: "Why, John,
they will kill you; thoy killed Harrison;
they,killed Taylor and Lincoln and Cur.
field, and will kill you" 1t was useless
TO tell him that some people we're killed
in war, and that the presidency was
not necessarily fatal. To him polit-
ical lifc had no pleasing aspira-
tions, but all forms Of social
life, conversation, travel, theatres,
cards without gambling, which he alb
horred, dancing, lectures, reading, liter
airy and scientific pursuits, were forms
OF study, and amusement gave him
pleasure and occupation. His whole
life since his retirement was under the
public gaze, and when ut the ago of
soventy.ono, after a brief illness, he
died in this city, its own population, in
silence and sadness watched his funeral
train, and countless multitude in
every city, town and hamlet on the long
road to st. Louis expressed their sorrow
and sympathy. la
RESPECT FOR WOMEN.
General Sherman always paid the
most respectful attention to women in
every rank and condition OF life, the
widow and tho orphan, the young and
the old. While he was often storm and
abrupt to men, he was always kind and
gentle to women and he received from
them the homage thoy would pay to a
brother. His friendship for Grant, l
have already alluded to, but it
extended in lessor degree to all his
comrades, and especially those iatsNyest
Point. No good soldier in his command
feared to approach him to demand JUS
tice, and every one received it itin his
power. He shared with them the hard
ships OF the march and tho camp, and
he was cont ent with the same rations
| given to them. Simple in his habits,
easy OF approach, considerate OF their
comfort, he was popular with his
soldiers even when exacting in this dis
cipline, The name OF "Uncle Billy.
given to him by them was tho highest
evidence OF their affection. s;E2,a
= He was the most unselfsh man ever
knew. He did not seek for high rank,
and often expressed doubts OF his fitness
for high command. He became n warm
admirer OF Abraham Lincoln as tho war