The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-12


tarn BILL One Of the chief features OF
this measure was It's proposal to substitute
very largely specific for ad valorem duties
II was also framed to afford protection "a
American industries. Sherman had charge
Of the bill in It's passage through the House.
and II was due 10 his parliamentary knowl.
edge and eXpertness that although for a
time loaded with amendments II finally
passed In substantially the original form,
During the ensuing Presidential cam
paign Sherman stumped not only every
Congress district in Ohio but the States OF
Indiana, Delaware, New Jersey and Penn
sylvania on behalf Of the Republican nom
inee. II Ia we'll known that Lincoln was
elected by a majority Of hity-seven in the
electoral college, although he failed to
secure a majority Of the popular vote.
The secession Of South Carolina and other
Southern States soon followed. On Janu-
airy IS, 1851, George H. Pendleton Of Ohio
made a speech In the House which virtually
was an invitation to allow the South to
depart in peace. John sherman imme-
diately and without preparation answered
his colleague, and left nothing Of the mega
tive justification for secession that it was
not eIpedient TO inquire into the causes
which moved the South TO rebellion for fear
that such an inquiry might give further
offence and widen the breach. After an
argument which in his biographer's judg-
ment will stand as one Of the best speeches
made during that critical period he closed
with a fervid appeal to Southern men for
peace and unity. "Why not, he said, -let
the Republican Administration be inaugu-
rated in peace and quietl Try 1t in the
name Of Godl Are you towards that you
will fee from a mere apprehension know
you are not. Stand by the old Ship Of
STATED Give the Republican Administration
a chance! II il does not do right you will
find thousands, aye millions, In the North
ern States who will stand by you, believe
il will do right. Give il a trial. This is all
we ask, and what we will demand at all
hazards
Sherman had been elected a member OF
the Thirty-seventh Congress, but with the
adjournment Of the Thirty-sixth his service
in the House ended. Mr.. Kerr deems it
not difficult to fix Mr.. Sherman's place as
a public man at the end Of his career in the
House, but he thinks 1t would be hard in
the whole course Of our political history to
find a man who had grown so rapidly and
upon such solid foundation Of merit. In
the book before us his House career ia pro-
nounced without a parallel when the means
by which he advanced are considered. We
are reminded that the quickest way to public
notice Ia by a humorous or a specially elo-
quent speech in Congress, II a speech at
tracts the attention and secures the COM
mendation Of the reporters in the press
gallery, thereafter until the glamour is worn
of or some other star performer shoots
above the horizon the speaker fills a large
space in the public eye and in the public
prints. One speech each session is all that
is required Of an orator in the House,
and between performances he is released
from all duties except preparation for his
next appearance.
The biographer admits that II Sherman
had been compelled to rise upon wings like
these he never could have reached the
heights Of fame. Sherman had no humor
and very little rhetorical, histrionic power,
The effect Of his speeches was derived not
from phrasing or infection but from facts
and earnestness. He may have been mis-
taken often, but no one ever doubted his
sincerity. The matter Of his speeches he
carefully prepared, but he never attempted
TO deliver them with verbal accuracy, nor
did he ever strain after a winning arrange
ment Of words, II does not require a criti-
cal examination Of Sherman's services in
the House Of Representatives 10 recognize
his bent for economic and financial ques-
tons. II is true, as Mr.. Kerr AYERS, that no
one In Sherman's time made 80 careful and
extended an investigation Of the facts re-
lating to public receipts and expenditures
as he did.
Salmon P. Chase, having accepted Lin
coins offer Of the post Of Secretary Of the
Treasury, resigned the seat in the Senate
TO which he had just been reelected and
John Sherman was chosen in his stead.
On March %, 1851, the latter took the oath
OF United States Senator, and Immediately
thereafter began a term Of service which
lasted almost for a third Of a century.
Sherman was forthwith assigned TO the
third place on tho Finance Committee, Of
the request Of William Pitt Fessenden.
who was the chairman. Subsequent events
indicated Fessenden's sagacity, because
the burden Of solving the great and difficult
problems Of finance which pressed for
during the days Of the war fell
upon Fessenden and Sherman. 1t
Is certain that, although Secretary Chase
first suggested officially the national bank
ing system, to John Sherman belongs the
Of having piloted the bill creating
that system through the Senate against
opposition. and thus insured it's
into law,