Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1891 — A JUST AND ELOQUENT TRIBUTE. [ARTICLE]

A JUST AND ELOQUENT TRIBUTE.

Sherman Memorial Address of Hon. W. W. Gilman, Senate Chamber, Feb. 17, IS9I The history of every country of -note is in factUuut_tlie history. -Qi the character and achievements of its citiz.enSwbSptttfng of note or iinpprtancti. can Tie found in history—outside of natural laws—except it relates to even l.'dTaceabie directly to the action individuals connected tlierev.'itlf: this being true, it follows that the, fitgie, or got>d name and aiory of V r;;U!!trv <»r people arc I.ut its in-h.-rilauce from' the • grand achieveinents of its own sons; from this -source' and this source alt>ne, can our beloved country lay claim to anytliing of value, which is not the coinrrion property of every' nation. As the citizens of a country young jn years, we have been highly blessed. No other nation under, the sun has a ri. i..r. nobler, inheritance. loun'k’d on the true worth and valor of her sons, than ours; and though we have had many Tvhose life and character have added luster to the name of America, and caused our hearts to thrill with joy and pride of our conn-" try and her heroes, yet we feel at this time, that to be put on an equality with other nations, the most favored does not do us full justice; but that in General William T. Sherman . of the United States Of America, we have a character a/x/rc the common standard for- measurement of heroes.

We, nor the average man can say for a certainty that he was the equal as a Mililtary Chieftain, of Antony or Cesaer of Rome. Alexander of Greece. Bonaparte of France or Wellington of England. 'L’liesmirch from- Atlanta to'to the Sea. had it failed, would iliave been condemned by soldier and citizen, alike; each of those great generals conferred upon their countries great honor and dignitynever' to be forgotten, and of which the citizens of their respective countries, and their riglW-oaght to be proud; but this, we believe, that we have in him whose life' and services we honor this day, a hero greater than them all. Who, among them all, has not left to liistory, coupled with their great achievements, the evidences of human J milties and defects, which have to some extent thrown over their otherwise grand career, a. cloud or blur showing to the world plainly, that, though great and brave as warriors, yet their greatness and bravery was cumbered with the weaknesses common to man. It is a matter of history that great heroes are sometimes cruel, avaricious , sometimes lacking even common honestj', selfish in disposition, greedy of gain, oft preferring their own to their country’s good. But we present the subject of to-day ’s ceremony as a veritable Prince among men, in this, if he had in his character one trait or weakness, which could call a blush to the cheek of the purest or the best, it was never knaicn. If he had a spirit of jealousy, with which so many otherwise great men have been endowed, there is not a trace, or act, of his long life to show it. The history of the world does not show the character of a half dozen men whose life can compare in that which goes to make up a perfect man with the life, A'ow'Udmplfffedk'of General William T» Sherman, of the United States of America. Brave r yut merciful—a strict disciplinarian, with a heart full of charity; no call to him was heard so quick as was the call of duty. Asa politician, greater than any party. As a friend, always trusted, l affectionate, kind, true and ever loyal, sound in judgment, who shall not say that he has not only added largely to the greatness and glory of our country by his grand achievements, but he has laid humanity itself, and the world at large a debtor to him, inthat he lias./n his own life raised higher the standard of humanity. There may have been, and doubtless were, thousands of the rank and file, and in private life, who, unknown to the world, have been as brave, as true, as honest, as faithful, as unselfish, whom no temptation could swerve, as was this man, and for the credit of humanity, we hope it is true, but General William T. Sherman’s life goes into history, and known to the world as the life of a prand Americcwi hero whose character is without a blemish; and we, as a people, are richer, and should be better because of this legacy. A Prince hath passed away, and not only America, but the world is bereaved, and should honor his mem-

ory.

WM. W. GILMAN.