HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY
DIVISION OF THE MISISIPPI, IN THE FIELD
GOLDSBORO, N. C., March
24, 1865
DEAR SIR:—On reaching Goldsboro yesterday I find many
letters and among them yours of January 27—one of later date I think reached me
at Fayetteville a fortnight since. I
thank you kindly for your kindly expressions.
As my opinions of the various questions which arise in the progress of
events are formed for my own use, and not designed to please the people, or
self-constituted representatives of the people I am utterly indifferent whether
they please or displease. I am a better
judge of what is right and proper touching the negro with who I deal hourly,
than Ben Butler, Sumner, Giddings, or any mere theorist dealing with the hypothetical
negro, of their own creation. If I risk
my life & health in the vindication of a cause; I claim to prove my
sincerity by a more honest test than all the mouthings of the noisiest preacher
or demagogue. I believe the honest
working People of the United States agree with me, to fight to maintain the
government according to form bequeathed to us, and not to carry out any
specialty. When the just powers of the
President[,] Congress & Supreme Court are recognized by all the people of
our country, reason argument may use
their sway, and settle the thousand little questions that always have and
always will agitate human councils—but of
what use is congress? or laws when the Marshal & Sheriff cant go &
enforce his writs?—Then the sword steps in and commands the Peace. When peace is restored, the men find it is to
their interest to submit to Law, whether right or wrong, then the machinery
resumes its motion, and generally all interests are reconciled.
I have always thought we mixed up too many little side
issues in this War. We should make a
single plain issue & fight it out.
The extreme Radicals, North & South, have long since dodged, shirked
the dangers of this War & left the Moderates to blow each others brains
out. I again repeat I make up my
opinions for facts & reasoning, and not to suit anybody but myself. If people dont like my opinions, it makes
little difference as I dont solicit their opinions or votes. But a man who preached and thunders offensive
opinions, and when the storm raises, sneaks out and lets others in to catch the
blows is a villain ten thousand times worse than a murderer, and I know many
such who are coiled away in fancied security, but the day will come when they
will be dragged out and made to taste the cup they have drugged—We have no time
for this now—The Constitution & Laws must be obeyed implicitly from the
Lakes to the Gulf and from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
I see my name occasionally alluded to in connection with
some popular office. You may tell all
that I would rather serve four years in the Sing Sing penitentiary than in
Washington, & I believe I could come out a better man. If that aint emphatic enough use stronger
expressions, and I will endorse them.
Let those who love niggers better than white folks follow me, and we
will see who loves his country best—A nigger as such is a most excellent fellow,
but he is not fit to marry, to associate or vote with me or mine.
Your friend,
W. T. SHERMAN.
SOURCES: “The Negro Question,” The Wichita Weekly Beacon, Wichita, Kansas, Firday January 31,
1890, p. 1; “Sherman on the Hypothetical Negro,” Iron County Register, Ironton, Missouri, Thursday, January 30,
1890, p. 4; Brooks D Simpson & Jean V. Berlin, Editors, Sherman's Civil War: Selected Correspondence of William T. Sherman 1860-1865, p. 832-3.
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