The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-10
SHERMAN ON SLAVERY.

To this letter Mr.. Smith made q
prompt reply, expressing great gratifica-
ton on his part and On that of Mr.
Wendell Phillips, to whom be sent the
letter, at this exhibition of Gen. Sher-
mans feelings. Gen. Baird forwarded
Mr.. Smiths reply TO Gen. Sherman, and
he promptly sent the following:
DEAR BAIRD: l thank you for the
perusal of Gerrit Smiths letter. | doubt
not he feels the joy he expresses at our
progress, because we free the slaves in
the same ratio that we manifest the
power of our Government.
1t seems impossible for citizens to un-
dersiand us OF the old Army. In our
private circles we may be gentle, kind,
and forbearing, but wien mutiny and
war show their horrid heads, we may
seem very devils. AS to the negro, [
know will do as much to amellorate
his political and social condition as
Gerrit Smith. Wendell Phillips, Greeley,
and others who seem to me mere theo-
rists and not practical workers.
If the people of the South had stood
by the Constitution, l for one would
have fought for the protection of the
slave property, just as much as for any
other kind of property, because the Con-
stltutlon was a contract, signed, sealed,
and delivered, and we had no right to
60 behind it. The right or wrong Of
slavery in the abstract had nothing to
do with the contract made by our fore
fathers, Tor reasons good enough for them,
and which we were bound in honor and
law to abide by.
But when the people and States of the
South undertook to save their slave
property by themselves breaking the
Constitution, they themselves released
us of our honorary and legal obliga-
ton, and We are Tree to deal with slavery
as we please. They were slaves, but
are now free, made so by their former
owners breaking the bonds by which
their slave pro- erty alone could be
held.
Slavery as Of old in this land is, in my
judgment, long since determined, but we
live in busy world, and people won't
be still. No sooner is one point gained
than new ones arise, and we find plenty
of people contending to make negroes
voters, and even, with the legal right
and encouragement, to commingle their
blood with ours.
On these points | think men may hon.
es;ly differ very widely, and | for one
would be slow in going to such extremes
The negro should, of course, be protected
in his industry and encouraged to ac-
guire property, knowledge, trade, and
every means possible to better his con-
dition, but | think we should all be
rather too slow than too fast in extend
ing political rights. These in time will
adjust themselves according to the laws
Of nature and experience.
"Festina lente is good old maxim,
and we, who have to catch the bufieting
of political factions fighting their battles
over our shoulders, ought to have voice
in questions which involve prejudices
that influence the actions of men quite
as much as pure reason.
! believe you and | have practically
done more acts of kindness to the negroes
Of America than all the phlanthropists
put together; but our acts are quiet and
unknown, whereas theirs have been noisy
and demonstrative. | do not say this
of Gerrit Smith, but Of others who make
the negro a hobby, and keep their
precious persons well cut of harms way
in the bloody struggle they have had
their share III making, but not in SUBJ
DUNG. Your friend,
w. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.
TO be contin,cd)