The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-07
SENATOR ON GEN. SHERMAN.
Reviews the Career of the Eminent
Soldier From Early Boyhood.

soldier From Early Boyhood.
NEW YORK, April 6-At the Loyal Le-
glon banquet tonight Senator Sherman re-
sponded to the toast in honor OF the MEN,
ory of General w. T. Sherman in an in
teresting speech of great length.
He reviewed the career OF the general from
early childhood. He spoke about the warm con-
fdencs and affection that had always existed
between them; told how they separated after
the death OF their father, and stated
that at that time when the general
went to West Point there commenced between
them correspondence which continued up to
within one week of the &. nerais death, only
interrupted when the thread of their lives
brought them together at Washington
City. He detailed the generals ca
reer in California through the gold
excitement as banker and lawyer, told about
his return to the East and employment in mill
eary academy in Louisiana. AS to the general
taxing part in the war, the movement which
led him was his intense patriotism.
secession would destroy the Union and
therefore he was opposed to secession. This is
CERTAIN he did enter the military service on ac-
count OF slavery, for his sympathies and friend
ships were largely with the South In letter
written in the fall of 1851, corgratuatirg a
brother upon election as member to congress, he
said:
As young member, hope you will not be
100 forward, especially on the question of slav-
cry, which, 1t Eeems, is rising every year more
and more into question of real danger, not
withstanding the compromise. Having lived
a great deal in the south, l think / know
Practically more about slavery than you do. IL
II were new question no one would contend
for introducing it, but this is sn old and his
toricsi fact that you must take as you find it.
After reviewing the generals resignation
from the Louisiana academy, the general came
to Washington in March, 1861, TO advise the au-
nf ha n,di of air tn ~, a
South and offer his services. He
was amazed at the apathy he found.
He talked to President lincoln, who said be
hoped tina. they would not need soldiers What
was said BY Lincoln was kindly meant, but it
had an unpleasant effsc. on Genera, Sherman,
who, when l.aying, said to his brother: "These
men are sleeping on volcano but have done
my duty"
The senator touched on the attack of
certain newspapers on the general at the
time of his assertion that 100000 troops
would be required to open up the Miss;s-
sippi river, aad said in reference thereto:
l knew full well the charge OF insanity was
false, and understood better than any enc else
his strong opinions IS to the nature of the war
and how easily his frank and open, but true
declaration, could be used as en- evidence Of
timi'iity or even insanity.
The senator went on to show how the
drift of events soon gave Sherman an OPP
portunity to demonstrate his sanity.
Speaking of the generals part in the bat
tie of Shiloh, the senator said:
There commenced his friendship with General
Grant, which, like Damon and Pythias, has
been made the subject OF song and story. 1t
was one of the most interesting incidents OF the
war and continued unbgoken while both lived.
Speaking of the row which was raised
over the first surrender arranged between
Sherman and Johnston, the senator said: /:
He knew that the general believed in agreeing
to tho terms He WAS carrying out the policy
outlined by President Lincoln in the
famous interview at Hampton Roads.
He did not know, however that
that the brutal murder of Lincoln had
aroused in the minds of the Northern people a
deep feeling of resentment which would not
tolerate the liberal terms granted to Johnston
and the remnant of rebel forces. That
fatal bullet had changed the whole Sit
uation. But for this desperate act the
whole history OF reconstruction would have
been reversed. AS it was, the cid cry against
Sherman was again stirred until the generous
kindness of General Grant came to his relief.
The new terms were agreed on and the war
closed.
Speaking of the traits of the generals
character, the senator said:
He IVES distinguished, first of all from early
boyhood for his love and veueraion for and
obedience to his mother end affection for his
family