The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-01
GENERAL SHERMAN ON
NEGRO POLITICAL EQUALIrY
The ku-Kiux Of south Carolina.


The Ku-Kiux Of south Carolina.
In the spring of 1896 Chief Justice
Chase DOTTED hts ofiiciai robes and. like
q true American. made a journey South
in search Of cure for the national
distemper. The war having come to
an end. abstract justice was on tour
OF observation and inquiry. and the
presiding onicer of the highest civil
tribunal in the land met leader OF
armies when the two friends taiked
together. The topic OF discussion was
the healing of the nation. The follow
ing letter indicates the convictions of
the soldier:
Steamer Prussia, Beaufort dIarbor.
May 8. 1885. 9 A. 81
On reaching this ship late last night
! found your valuable letter. with the
printed sheet. which have also read
I am not yet prepared TO receive the
negro on terms Of political equality.
for the reason u will raise passions
and pretudices at the North. which.
superadded to the causes yet dormant
at ire South might rekindle the war.
which by skilfui management might
be kept down. As you must observe,
prefer to work with known facts,
rather than 10 reason ahead to re-
mote conclusions BY way of Illus
tratson, we are now weatherbound. Is
II not best 70 lay quiet AZ anchor till
those whitecap breakers look less
angry ami the southwest winds shift?
I think all old sailors will answer yes;
wh.lst we. impatient TO reach our goal,
are tempted to dash through at risk
OF life and property. I an willing to
admit that the conclusions you reach
- h. n
but don't you think IL better first to
get the ship % state In some order.
that II may be handled and guided2
Now. all a, the South 10 pure anarchy.
TIE military power of the United States
cannot reach the people who are
epreaj over a vast surface OF country
we can control the local State capt.
tails, and. II may be. slowly shape po-
liticai thoughts, but We cannot com
bat existing ideas with force. 1 say
honestly, that the assertion openly or
your ideas OF universal negro suffrage.
as a fxed policy OF our general gov
eYnmsnt to be backed BY physical
power, will produce new war. sooner
or later. and one which. from its
desunory character. will be more
5ioody and destructive than the last
I am rsioieed that you, upon whom
devolves % much, are aiming to see
facts and persons with your own eye
think the changes necessary In
tho future can be made faster and
more certain by means OF the Consti-
tuition. than by any plan outside of IL
II now we 20 outside OF the Constitu-
ton FOR q means of change. We rather
Justify the rebels In their later at
sennpt Whereas now, as General Soho
field tells US. the people OF the South
are ready ard willing to make the
necessary changes without shock or
violence I have felt the past war as
bitterly and keenly as any man could.
and I frankly confess myself afraid
Of q new war: and Q new war Is bound
TO result from the action you suggest.
of giving to the enfranchised negroes
so large q share In the delicate task
Of putting the Southern States in prsc-
teal working relations with the gem
eraI government The enfraDcaise-
ment of the negro should be excep-
;ional and not general. founded upon
a standard OF intelligence, or by reason
of valuable military service during the
war or hereafter.
In connection with the above. what
fellows below will be very spropos.
conarming 30 some degree General
Sherman's fear OF a new war
william Q. Henderson. Of Columbia,
& C., an ex-Confederate soldier. while
on a visit {, the Chattanooga battle
field lately. gave out the following TO
reporter OF the Chattanooga Times
He was a sergeant in regiment Of
south Carolina infantry in the cam
paign around Chattanooga. IN the
thfck1t Of every light and never
wounded He tells s1n stirring Incl
dents OF the battles about Chattanooga.
and especially OF the lighting at Snod-
grass Hill and Mission Ridge Ser
eeant Henderson made the trip with
Johnston TO Atlanta after he had re-
lieved Bragg. fghting in every battle.
ana returned with General Hood. who
in turn superseded Johnston. At
Franklin he was pulled over the Fed
eraI works. but escaped and rejoiEed
his regiment when the army was
defeated az Nashville and The order.
Every man for himself" given. ne.
with several Of his comrades. escaped.
Joined their command and participated
In the hghting In TIE North Carolins
campaign and surrendered with the
Army Of Tennessee At Bentonsiile and
were psroiee-
Up,n returning home Sergeant Hen
derson says the -csrper-os gEers" and
negroes had simply overrun the state
There vas q "carpet-baE Governor
ana q negro Lleutcnant-Governor.
mongrel Legislature and Senate that
csnkrupt~f the state. We had some
sauaiiy times In redeeming the state
10 Ansio-ssxon supremacy said ne.
and had II not been for men Ike Gen
erai Wade Hampton an~ Sthcrs who
stood fearless. south Caroiins would
have--1eIi. there r. no telling what
would have been the final results.
There vJuid have probably been more
men sacrificed than the state iost IN
the Confederate Army. A. 70 vas. no
one will ever know how many negroes
ana aliens had justice given them be-
fore General Grant acted IN the splen-
80 ~,.nner he did coward General