Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-30
DEPEW ON SHERMAN
The Famous New York Orator Pays
a High and Glowing
TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT GENERAL
AT the Memorial Meeting Of the New York Legisls-
turs-A History Of The Deeds Of the An
Whose March to he Sea Will Ever
Be Remembered.

ALBANY, y. Y, March 2s.-OVer
5000 persons listened 10 Chauncey NJ.
Depew's oration on the occasion OF
memorial services In henor OF Gen. w.
T. sherman under the auspices OF the
Legislature OF the State OF New York
which were held tonight AZ Blocker
Hall.
The members OF the Legislature met
in the Assembly chamber at 1870 and
proceeded TO the hall In body where
seats were reserved on the stage.
Gen. Mcmahon introduced Gen. Slo-
cum as chairman. Chauncey NJ. Depew,
on being introduced by Chairman Slo-
cum delivered the Grafton In part as fol-
lows:
Senators and Members Of Assembly:
The passions Of civil war usually survive
centuries. We cannot yet impartially and
calmly estimate the services of Hamilton
and jefferson. Their names still stand for
antagonistic principles and antagon.stic
followers. But the issues OF the Rebellion
were buried with its dead. That struggle
was unique, both in magnitude
and settlement. IL was an earth
quake which rent asunder con-
tinent and plunged into cavernous
depths millions OF men and money, and the
shackles OF the slaves. IL closed, and the
survivors, freed from the causes OF conteu-
tion, were united for the upbuilding or the
new Nation. Prior 20 the war we were
singularly provincial and insulsr, but we
have since grown 10 be as radically liberal
and cosmopolitan. Then our judgments OF
statesmen and measures were governed by
considerations which were territorial
or inherited. Now those who were
in the front and heat OF the great battlo
can fairly view and freely weigh the merits
OF their friends and foes. Weran ellmin-
ate our feelings. our predJudices and our
convictions upon the purposes for which
they fought, and contrast Grant and Lee,
Sherman and Joe Johnston, Sheridan aud
Beauregard, as TO the genius and ability
with which they planned and played tho
game OF war, with equal candor and better
light than the historian OF the future.
General Sherman's ancestors had been
noted for many generations for their cll-
ture ability and intellectual power. His
father was Judge of the Supreme Court
Of Ohio, aud his grandfather Ola Con.
necticut Court while the grandfather OF the
Connecticut Judge was Puritan clergy
man. who came 10 Massachusetts IN l6i3,
In company with q warrior relative, Cap
tain John Sherman, the ancestor OF Roger,
the signer OF the Declaration Of Independ-
ence. Much mas been said. but the whole
can never be written, OF the influence OF
the Puritan stock upon the formation and
development of the United States, aud the
destinies OF mankind. All through tho
of Cromwell and the C0venanter
was the motive-power Of his
act on. His principle OF war was 10 use
nm and consume the resources OF the en-
efny. The destruction OF Atlanta and the
devastating march through Georgia and
the Carolinas were upon Puritan lines.
The enemies OF his country were as much
to his mind the enemies OF the Lord as were
the Cavaliers OF Prince Rupert 70
Cromwell and his Ironsldes. He
was by nature the most genial,
lovable and companionable OF mou,
but the mailed hand and murciless purpose
followed any attack on the things he held
sacred This appears not only In his cam
naigns but also I'm his dispatches 70 Gener-
ais n rant and Halleck. II will make tho
interior OF Georgia feel the weight OF
war; 'sThe utter destruction OF It's roads,
houses and people will cripple their mill.
tarv rcsourcesn ] attach more import
ance 10 these deep incisions Into the
enemy's country, because this war differs
from European wars In this particular:
we are not only fighting hostile armies,
hut hostile people, and must make old
and Young. rich and poor. feel the hard
hand OF war as well as their organized ar
mies.n And in his letter demanding the
surrender OF Savannah he says should
be forced 10 assault, or the slower ana
surer process OF starvation, shall then
feel justified in resorting 20 tho harehest
measures. and shall make little effort 70
restrain rny army. burning 10 ayenge tue
National wrong, which they attach 70 Sa-
vannnh and other large cities which baye
been so prominent in dragging our country
into civil war
This was the language OF the Puritan
soldier II was born and bred In the
children of the people who first separated
Church from State, aud went 10 the stake
for believing and declaring that the VIII OK
God could be one way, and the VIII Oh Tie
king the other. and their allegiance was 70
the Lord.
birth for the career which has become orc
OF the brightest pages ia his countrys his-
tory. .,.
His father. Judge Sherman, died sudden
ly. leaving his widow with little means,
and a family Of eleven children. The help
fulness OF the American family when
thrown upon their own resources, and the
ready and practical sympathy OF Amer
lean communities, 50 extended as 70
convey, not charity, but compliment,
has no better example than Ia the story OF
this household, and the success In life OF Us
members. The Bench and the Bar felt
that the BOYS were the wards OF the pro.
fession. Ohio's leading lawyer and United
States Senator, the Hon. Thomas Ewing,
said. Give me one, but the brightest"
He then dealt Ia detail with the many
events OF history that General Sherman
helped 10 make, and closing, said;
This soldier. citizen and patriot. this
model husband. father and friend, held
plnce In every heart, and a seat Dy every
fireside In the land. His death carried
sense OF personal bereavement 70 every
household, and plunged the country IN
mourning. The imposing catafslque nss
attracted the curiosity OF thousspos
as Il mas born 70 the tomb eminent citizen
or soldier, but the simple c2.sson rumolng
over the pavement and carrying UenerA.
sherman 70 the side Of bis wife and aooren
bov 10 the cemetery, drew tears from NIL.
ions His name and his fame, his lie ana
his defds are suoug the choicest Tl1ts OF
God TO this richly endowed hepaonc, aLu
a precious legacy for the example ana IN
50. ration Of coming geDstions.