Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-03-04
$taunto1t Spectator.
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 4.
Mr.. Sherman's Kind Heart.

1t was really pathetic to listen to the
deep feeling words of Senator Sher.
man last Friday when he stood in
the Senate and.told of the suffering OF
the rebels in Cuba, the barbarity OF
the Spanish soldiery, and the british
ness of Gen. Weyler, the Spanish com.
mander.
Mr.. Sherman sent to the Clerks
desk and had read extracts from a
Spanish book, printed in New York
newspaper, reclting horrible cruelties,
charged against Weyler-some of the
incidents being so bad that he directed
the Clerk re omit them. He spoke of
these deeds as barbarous atrocities
and inhuman cruelties, and said that
Weyler was demon, rather than a
general. He denounced the idea of
putting such man in command of
100, 900 troops, to ride rough-shod over,
xiii, and slaughter a feeble body of
people; and he declared Tin the most
solemn terms) that if this kind of pol
icy is pursued by Spain in Cuba, and
if the people of the United States be
informed of it, there is no earthly
power to prevent the people of the
United States from going over to- that
island, running all over its length and
breadth, and driving out from it those
robbers and imitators of the worst men
in the world. applause from crowds
in the galleries.)
"Whateyer," Mr.. Sherman conclud-
ed. may be the result of the adoption
of this resolution, desire to take my
share of the responsibility for it, and.
with confidence in the judgment of
the Almighty Ruler of the Universe,
l believe it will be wise if we can assist,
and if all the other nations of America
will concur in giving the people of
Cuba the same liberties which we now
enjoy" (Applause.)
Once upon a time there was war in
the United States, caused by much the
same tyrannical spirit and disregard Of
law, on the part of the persons in
power, as has brought about the war
in Cuba. The war had lasted several
years, the insurgents were all white
people. their leaders and soldiers of
the highest type physically and men
tally, related in many cases to Senator
Sherman by blood. The power that
occupied the position that Spain does
to the Cuban insurgents, sent an army
of an hundred thousand men into the
country of these people, the supreme
command of that army fell upon the
brother of the distinguished, and now
lachrymose Senator. What was the
conduct of that General-Gen. VIM. T.
Sherman? If the name of Weyler we're
removed from the above extracts, from
Senator Sherman's speech, and the
name of VIM. T. Sherman inserted, it
would portray exactly the conduct,
and actions of Gen. Sherman on his
"March to the Sea-" Horrible this
butchery. and robbery and destruc
ton when committed by Spaniard in
Cuba. upon half breeds and negroes,
but humane, patriotic, glorious, and
christian-like when committed by
Gen. VIM. T. Sherman on his own
kindred, and people, in the civilized
United States.
The path of that army was made
waste, old men and children were
butchered, women outraged, their
homes burned over their heads, and
they left to starve. unsheltered from
cold or storm. Prisoners were killed
after capture by bullet and bayonet,
and what was worse yet, with food,
and clothing and medicine in profu
sion, they were starved, and allowed
to die from sickness and neglect. Il
In our own city, we have stood upon
the hills, and beheld every night for
nearly week, the lurid glare on the
heavens, and seen the skies black |
with smoke of homes burning, fired by
the torch of Sheridan's army, under
the express direction of the command
ing general. Of our own acquaint
ances. we have known some to be kill
ed after they were wounded and cap.
tured, and as for other outrages, they
are SO fresh in many memories, and SO
undeniably true, they do not need
Verification. For four years this
iendishness continued, increasing in
Jury as the war progressed, and not
one word from Senator Sherman,
ave in laudation of the course, or in
of the policy. pursued
~ bis brother and other commanders,
Ind inspired by his government. But
Why, let us ask, has this Senator be
ome Mortified at death, or SO disturb
d by cruelty? Does he not remember
hat determination" the word which ,
ow seems to well-nigh give him nerv-
US prostration, was the policy adopt
d by his own government toward I
hose who took up arms against it, a few
ears ago? Does he not remember that
hen thousands of his own soldiers
ere lying in Southern prisons dying,
ecause the South had not food to keep
lem alive, his government refused to =
I've them by exchanging them. and =
lat this policy received his sanction p
oes he not know that the COM
ander in-chief of the armies of the -
MON announced that if he could kill .
he of those rebels whilst they killed
We of his soldiers he would still be
glorious, and this was the plan of
s campaign. Does he not know that r.,
en-. Sheridan adopted policy of ex- :,
rmination toward the South by -,
lrning all the barns, and mills and y
ops in Virginia leaving women and
ildren without food, and by arrest =.
g and sending to Northern prisons, -
boys who would, in a year or two. =.
old enough for military service? -
hat then has SO melted the heart of
:. Sherman 1t cannot be a soften ~