The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-02-10


government could command by Offering
big rewards for talent He would have
created an immense regular army, one,
II is to DO confessed. that must have
proved q dangerous element as things
turned out. The public would have had
very little influence with that army,
and the much dreaded Prmtorian guard
would certainly have been a realization
upon American soil
His Splendid Tact.
Sherman bound his soldiery to him az
firmly as did Napoleon. but by directing
their minds upon another ideal La
Belle France was the fetch by which
Napoleon charmed and dazzled. With
Sherman it was the army. One day dur
ing the Atlanta campaign, as he rested,
leaning back against tree, he dropped
into doze, and some of the common
soldiers just from the rendezvous or rear
camps made slurring remarks about it.
Finally one Of them exclaimed, "A
pretty way we are commandedP Thor
oughly aroused by the last remark,
Sherman pointed warning hand at the
speaker and called out: "Stop, my man
While you were sleeping last night
was planning for you, sir. Now / was
taking a nap"
Under the rule Of the martinez the
fellow would have been tied up by the
thumbs for the mutinous remark. A
political general would have argued the
question and ended with the Sunday
school reprimand, "All right this time,
but don't do it again." Sherman created
q soldier out Of rude plowboy by show.
ing that general and private were parts
of one machine, each dependent upon
the other. And he never up to the very
last nor under any circumstances suf
fered an abatement of the dignity be-
longing to the realm military.
At q Public Reception.
One evening he was rendered recep
tion in the Mechanics institute, Boston
and thousands of veterans, their families
and civilian friends packed the vas'
hall. When Sherman appeared at the
wings of the platform. pandemoniun
was let loose. Several bands in differ
ent parts of the hall struck up March
ing Through Georgia, the throng echo
ed the chorus, hats were hurled ON high
and the tumult ended with wild yell.
for Sherman.
A hush followed, for it was supposed
he would quickly respond, but when the
master Of ceremonies started off upor
routine business that didn't include
Sherman for a speech the crowd broke
loose again. Meanwhile President Har
rison and escort entered the hall at tho
main door and passed its entire length
almost unnoticed, so furious was the
desire to bring out Sherman. At las
all dignity fed, and shouts of "Unclt
BillyW were heard. Then Sherman
darted up, and without gesture stillet
the bedlam by one piercing look right
left and front. But instead of the ex
pected and even promised speech he TOLD
the shouting enthusiasts that he was ;
guest at headquarters, and that theil
officers, who were also for the nonce hi
superiors, had prepared plan for tn
evenings campaign which dignity de
manded should be carried out to the let
ter He then sat down amid the breath
less hush that followed his first words
and the very men who had shouted 81
loud before declared that Sherman would
have his way and insist that the pro
gramme be carried out in order if 1
took all night.
In due time he was introduced ant
welcomed with intense yet dignified en-
thusiasm. He spoke briefly, leaving up
on thoughtful persons present the i'm
preston that hoodlumism had received
a deserved rebuke. 1t was as though b,
had said: "Yes, tits free country, ant
you can Uncle Billy me At your pleas
ure. But before you get anything from
me you shall understand that you are il
the presence of General Sherman
Grants first field marshal and the re
tired commander Of the United State
army; furthermore, that General Sher
man always obeys orders, and yol
must emulate the example or lose hi
company.
Sherman's Last Speech.
Sherman's very last public speecl
was one long eulogy of the ''old army
and the "old school of soldiers" sol