Year: 1867

General sicklss ~ . Statesman. a


General Sickles u man Of genius. At bis
outset in public life he was, - is not uncom-
mon in the history Of genius, underrated by
his associates. They were the Tammany Hall
men, certainly never noted for anything like
acute perception-veteran jObbers and jokers
In ward caucuses and primaries; and these
sage fellows thought Sickles good man to put
before tho public for the sake OF appearances,
but withal puppet that they could play up
and down at their pleasure. Even Fernando
Wood, tho arch-manipulator of.committees and
conventions, was 80 poor judge OF men as TO
suppose that he could wind Sickles round his
fnger-as he did 50 many others-and was
disposed to patroniss the youngster, Of course
on his own conditions. But the boldness and
sagacity Of the rising politician made him
more than match for the tortuous ways OF
the veteran shufler, and Fernando Wood was
fairly ousted from Tammany Hall by the opera
Hons Of Sickies. Indeed, Siokles took bis
degree from Tammany a. master Of all the
political arts that old university could teach;
and in favor Of such an education there is this
10 be said IL gave tho graduate areal expe-
ricnce Of the actual condition Of once great
party. Of the rottenness or our party system,
and Of the utter insincsrity. vsnality, worth
lessness and mischievous tendencies Of mere
party men.


The war came, and Sickles was among the
earliest to rally to the national cause. He did
good service. Many day that will be fair in
our history owes an honorable portion of Its
glory to the stanch qualities Of the brigade
that the newly made General organised and
vitalized from the number OF his personal and
political adherents in this city. His personal
services were also Of eminent value TO the
country. Had his admirable example been
followed at Charlottesville the Army Of the
Potomac would not have suffered disgrace
full defeat, Lees army would in all pro-
liability have been destroyed in 1853, and the
result Of the war and the state Of our finances
might have been so far different that recon
struction would have been far simpler
problem than 1t proves. 1t has been ably
argued that but for Slckles our army would
have been Withdrawn from Gettysburg with
ont fight However that may be, none can
doubt that If his pugnacious example had
properly Influenced the commander, that great
field might have been memorable not for
drawn battle and the escape of the invader, but
for the most crushing and decisive victory Of
the war. Indeed, the brilliant military record
Of Sickles shows that he could readily become
an il,ussrioas soldier, as he had previously
shown thai he could be sagacious and sue
cessfA politician. u p laa


Now we see him the pro-consai 0 the United
States, in charge Of vast and populous dis
trct exhibiting all the qualities Of . wise and
considefate ruler. His general order Of the
llth Is . pieoe of real wisdom, all the mere
excellent for being timsly. It sets aside laws
very boldly; but the boldness h discreet,
since it sets aside laws for the very reason for
which they were FIRST mads-tc protect the
people and prevent misery General Sickles
acts in the spirit Of q commander who regards
the people as committed not 50 much to bis
rude as to his care. He gives noble answer
to those disafected Southern politicians who
have denounced the Military bill as an op-
preston, in showing them how we'll 1t will
serve for defence against oppressors. His
first use of bis great powers has been in "a vor
of the people, and that grave fact will 60 far
to correct the erroneous impressions the South
has had Of the spirit in which the North in
tended to govern We see in General Sickles
4 man Of the sams type with those who made
Rome great-One equally competent in war
and in politics, with the ample Development
that enables him to shine in either sphere.
He is possessed Of genius, Of experience, an d
has mind cultivated by extensive study
the three requisites laid down by Bolingbroke
as necessary to groat leader and If he uses
his opportunities with the discretion aui
moderation that have marked his course thus
far his future career viii be plendid one for
his cou ntry.