Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-05
BoolS Reviews.
JOHN sHERMAN's RECOLLECTION
or FORTY YEARS IN THE HOUSE


The Hon. Thomas II. Benton was one
OF the first senators from the State OF
Missouri, and by successive reflections
continued member Of the Senate FOR
thirty years. After his enforced retire
ment from the Senate he served for a
single term in the House as the repre-
sentative OF one OF the st. Louis dis
tricts. He published two volumes. en-
titled "Thirty Years in the United States
Senate" containing an abstract OF the
proceedings Of that body during his
membership thereof. or course, MI
Benton was the prominent object. and
his intense partisanship gave color TO
his history, but his book has been always
regarded as a most valuable contribu-
ton 10 the historical shelves OF every
American library, public or private.
These volumes of Mr.. Sherman's are
wen entitled 10 a place beside Benton's
Thirty Years in the Senate" Mr.. Sher-
mans term Of service in the Senate
though its continuity was broken by the
experiences Of four years incumbency
Of a seat I'm President Hayes's Cabinet
as Secretary Of the Treasury, has al
ready extended beyond that OF Mr.. Ben
ton. and his public service In the House
OF Representatives prior to his election
to the Senate. added TO that in the
Senate and Cabinet has covered two
decades OF the most eventful period OF
the history OF the public. During ell
this time he has been anything but q
CIPHER in public life. and his personal
recollections and unquestoned ability
eminently fit him for the work he has
undertaken. lie Is scarcely less OF an
egotist and partisan than Mr.. Benton,
a t,ta IL lnr q, Nd al a q
authority, with no less caution or dis
trust.
This work Is not. however. confined
entirely 10 the political history OF the
country-professing TO be something OF
an autobiography, and therefore contain
ing much that is of a purely per-
sonal character. Besides this. we have
IN the detail of Mr.. Shennan's thwarted
aspirations for tho presidency much
that Is valuable and entertaining.
Mr.. Sherman was first elected 10 the
House OF Representatives in 1884 du-
ring the heat Of the Kansas territorial
controversy; and though quite young
man soon commanded q leading posi-
ton in the counsels OF his party; and
upon the floor of the House. In his
third Congress he was the candidate
OF his party for the speakership Neither
party had majority OF the House,
the balance OF power being held by
small number OF what were then known
as the Know-Nothing party. This &C.
casioned a very long delay IN the Or
ganization of the House. during which
an angry discussion arose about Sher-
mans endorsement OF an abolition vol
ume OF an incendary character. writ
ten by one ii. Il. Helper. The re-
suit was the defeat Of Sherman, and the
80 <.f rn-
Jersey. a member Of his own party.
Sherman's feeling against the South was
not unnaturally embittered By his
disappointment. lie became chair
man Of the Committee op Ways
and Means and as such the recognized
leader OF his party on the floor. Upon
the retirement OF Mr.. Chase 10 accept
the position of Secretary OF the Trea-
surx under President Lincoln. he was
transferred 10 the Senate, and in that
body assigned 10 a position on the Com
mittee on Finance Of which committee
he subsequently became. and for great
many years continued TO be. its chair
man. His service on the Committee OF
Ways and Means in the House. and OF
Finance In the Senate, necessarily IA
miliarzed him with the financial policy
Of the government, and was a fitting
preparation for his very well-advised APP
pointment as Secretary of the Urea
sury lie took n very prominent part
I'm Congress in the preparatory legisla-
ton for the resumption OF specie pay
ment. which was accomplished during
his administration of the Treasury De-
partment. lie acquired the confidence
Of the money-men at home and abroad.
and achieved for himself very high
reputation as fnancier, so much so
that his admirers did not hesitate to
claim for him almost a parity OF credit
for executive ability In his department
with his great predecessors-Alex
Hamilton and Albert Galiatin. 1t is very
natural. therefore. to expect i'm these
recOliections a very fun abstract Of
the legislative and executive action OF
tho government upon all financial mat
tiers; and the book Is, therefore. OF in
estimable value for reference in the in
vestigation and discussion OF the great
money questions-which are still I'M
solved While he Is pronounced anti-free
silver. his views have been. and are, much
more liberal than those OF the extremists
Of the monometalllc school.
In the offensive sectionalism which
FASTENED the war; in its vigorous and
truculent prosecution, and in all the out
RACES OF the post-bellum reconstruction
era, Mr.. Sherman was behind few OF
his party associates. The tone In which
these matters are treated is very much
softened. and he Is frank enough oc-
casionally in his narrative 10 plead guilty
to the charge OF incorporate and ex-
IRENE partisanship. The truth Is that
his Free Soilism was always much more
n matter of political temper, and calcu-
lation, than of sympathy with the negro.
His cold and phlegmatic temperament
did not respond with any enthusiasm TO
the fanatical humanitarianism and phi
lanthropy OF the Garrison, Whittier,
Simmer. and Greeley school, and no tool.
little stock In the anti-slayery crusade,
except so far as 1t might be made avail
able TO the success OF his political
aspirations. But he was surrounded by
tho most infected atmosphere of the
North, and his political future was al
ways dependent upon the voters Of the
Western reserve, and the educational in
fiuence OF Oberiin College. This infiu-
ence dominated his life. and In catering
10 It he was led into positions OF most
offensive and aggressive hostility to our
people. and all OF our rights and in
terests. which we are not, we may believe,
the outcome OF his own deep-eeated feel
ings or convictions. But he was mona tho
less an embittered enemy OF the South:
and It Is difficult for southern man.
In reading these recollections. TO keep
down o feeling of natural and Just re-
sentiment.
Mr.. Sherman postponed the publication
of these recolIsctioLs until the time had
passed when 1t could have any probable
effect upon his political future He Is
now In his I'D year. with four years
more OF term In the Senate. He can
scarcely anticipate reelection to the
Senate. and his presidential aspirations
have been forever quietcd. In the eve
ming OF his nfo he has no inducement TO
sYarya from the line ~ patriotic duty,