The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-22
HON. JOHN SHERMAN
HAS PASSED AWAY.
(continsed From Page one.)


notes for the raising OF funds with which
10 prosecute the war. and was the author
of the legislation that brought about the
resumption OF specie payment after the
war had closed.
The position of John Sherman the sena-
tor, and William T. Sherman. the soldier,
during the civil war was unique. 10 the
one was due many OF the victories
achieved over the Confederate forces, and
To the other the credit OF legislation that
enabled the federal government to keep
its troops In the field.
There is no other case In American his
tory OF two brothers serving their coun-
try at the same time in such distinguished
capacities.
sHERMAN's RETURN TO THE ARMY.
II was due to John Sherman that Gen.
Sherman, who was a graduate of West
Point, and had resigned in 1853. returned
10 the army. He was wanted as an ex-
ecutive officer i'm the war deps rtment
when the war broke out. Gen. Sherman
had not made marked succers 3 in private
life and returned 10 Washington about
the time his brother was elected TO the
senate.
Having spent some time in the south,
Gen Sherman was deeply impressed with
the certainty OF war and OF its possible
magnitude.
"By all means" wrote Senator Sher-
man in hasty midnight letter of the
18th of April, 1861, take advantage OF
the present disturbances 10 get into the
army, where you will at once put your
self in a hig.. position for life
In the same letter Mr. Sherman ex-
pressed the belief that the war was nee
essary. He predicted that the Federal
forces would have preliminary defeats,
but that i'm the end they would be sue
cessful.
For me-" he wrote TO his brother II
am for a war that will either establish
CT overthrow the government and Will
purify the atmosphere Of political life.
We need such a war and we have IL
now"
A CONSPICUOUS CAREER.
In politics the life Of John Sherman was
not less conspicuous than that OF his IA
nous brother hts education was not
broad according TO the college definition
When barely twenty-one he was admit
ted to the bar. and eleven years later was
elected 10 Congress- from that day he
was a public servant
lie made "A reputation as a forceful de-
batter in the ants-Dellum days when the
controversial questions that finally led TO
secession and rebellion were up for con-
sideration At the age OF thirty-six he
was the Republican candidate for speak
er. and was beaten by the Southern
Wings because he would not say that
he was not hostile to slavery.
He began his financial work even in
the house, when as chairman OF the COM
mittee on ways and means. he provided
for the rehabilitation Of the treasury by
the issue OF the treasury notes of 1860.
1t was in the senate however. that Mr.
Sherman performed his most historical
work. He took his seat in that body the
day Lincoln was inaugurated
He offered his services for the war
after the fall OF Fort Sumter, served
without pay on the STAFF OF General Rob
ert Patterson and remained with his
regiment until congress rsrtu met IN
special session. He raised brigade of
600 men. largely AT his own expense
which. throughout the war, bore his
name.
The finances OF the country had
reached such condition during the war
that, in January. 1862. specie payment
was suspended and the issue OF United
States notes became necessary.
Mr.. Sherman saw that these notes. un-
less made legal tender. would be prac-
ticallv valueless. He made the fight Of
his life 20 give them that quality
Congress was opposed to the scheme. but
Senator Sherman. aided by Secretary
Chase. who MADE n personal appeal to
members. carried the provision through
both houses In the Senate the voice Of
Mr.. sherman was the only one raised In
favor OF the National Bank bill, but It
prevailed after a stormy debate.
A FRIEND OF HAYES.
John Sherman was a warm friend of
Rutherford b. Hayes. RE was one of
the committee that visited Louisiana dur
ing the stormy days following the cleo
ton of 1876.
-tt1vrs- wanted -ShermEn 10 take The
treasury portfolio and he did. The finarl-
cier statesman Immediately set about pro-
viding redemption funds by means OF
loans. and six months before the period
fixed In the law he had $40 0o0. 600 in gold
in the treasury, and had the great salts
faction of seeing the legal tender notes
gradually approach gold in value until
when Jan. j, 1879, came there was prac-
tically no demand for gold in exchange
for the notes.
At the conclusion OF the Hayes admin
istration Mr.. Sherman was returned To
the Senate, and remained there until he
IeSlEntu 10 enttT ~ thplntt.
The one great ambition o. John Sher-
man wss never satisfied. He sincerely
wished 10 be president In 1850 he was
an avowed candidate. and his name was
presented by Garfield. In the contest be-
tween Grant and Blaine resulting In the
nomination of Garfield, Mr.. Sherman re-
ceived from ninety to nincty-nine votes.
-Four years later his name was present.
ed by Senator Foraker, but Ohio was di-
vided between Sherman and Blaine. and
he received only 30 votes. In 1883 Mr.
Shermans name was presented TO the
convention by Daniel IT, Hastings OF
Pennsylvania. The old statesman re-
ceived 229 votes on the first ballot and 249
on the second. but Harrison was nomi-
mated. despite the fact that Mr.. Sherman
was the leading candidate.
IN THE CABINET.
~ was only after much pressure that
Mr.. Sherman consented 10 leave tho sem
ate and accept the place at the head of
The state department, which Mr.. McRin-
ley presscd upon him.
~ was apparent even then that Mr..
sherman was failing and that his mem
ory. hitherto marvellous. was going back