Still, his mind was vigorous and his body strong, and when thoroughly aroused he was an able speaker; his language was forcible and apt and his influence over a popular audience was effective.
John Sherman
The Public Record
John Sherman was an American politician from Ohio who served in federal office throughout the Civil War and into the late nineteenth century. A member of the Republican Party, he served in both houses of the U.S. Congress. He also served as Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State. Sherman sought the Republican presidential nomination three times, coming closest in 1888, but was never chosen by the party. Between 1861 and 1897, John Sherman served in the U.S. Senate for nearly 32 years and holds the record for longest serving senator from the state of Ohio.
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I knew he was bold and rash, better fitted for the storms of political life than the grave responsibilities of the chief magistrate of a great country.
I liked the President personally and harbored against him none of the prejudice and animosity of some others.
In the trial of this impeachment I wished to be, and I think I was, absolutely impartial.
Nevertheless, the trial is one that will be closely and sternly criticised by all the civilized world. . . .
I notice that you Republicans have divided on some of the side questions on impeachment, and am glad that you concede to the President the largest limits in his defense that are offered.
The result, if he is convicted, would cast the undivided responsibility of reconstruction upon the Republican party, and would unquestionably secure the full admission of all the states by July next, and avoid the dangerous questions that…
I do not anticipate civil war, for our proceeding is unquestionably lawful, and if the judgment is against the President, his term is just as clearly out as if the 4th of March, 1869, was come.
The only way is to keep cool and act conscientiously.
I regard him as a foolish and stubborn man, doing even right things in a wrong way, and in a position where the evil that he does is immensely increased by his manner of doing it.
Those who adhere closest to the law in this crisis are the best patriots.
The vote in the House, being a strictly party vote, looks bad, for it augurs a prejudiced jury.
They should act as judges, and not as partisans.
I do not think the President should be suspended during trial, and, if possible, the Republican party should not vote on all side questions as a unit.
You may always safely represent me by saying that I will not make up a final opinion until called on to act, and I want nothing to do with these controversies until the time comes for the actual fight, which I hope to God may be avoided.
In these times of loose confidence, it is better to submit for a time to a wrong construction, than to betray confidential communications.
No one disputes the right of the President to raise a question of law upon his right to remove Stanton, but the forcible removal of a man in office, claiming to be in lawfully, is like the forcible ejectment of a tenant when his right of…
Impeachment seems to be a forgone conclusion so far as the House of Representatives is concerned, based upon the alleged forcible expulsion of Stanton.
Upon its face it is an informal private note dictated by the purest motives--a desire to preserve harmony--and not intended for publication.
I am clear in this, however, the correspondence here inclosed to you should not be made public except by the President, or with the full sanction of General Sherman.
It seems to me that the publication of that letter is calculated to place the general in a wrong light before the public, taken in connection with what correspondents have said before, evidently getting their inspiration from the White…
I do not question the President's right to make the new division, and I think Congress would make a mistake to qualify his right.
But since he has betrayed the men who elected him he is proof against such things.
Oppose confirmation of myself as brevet general on ground that it is unprecedented, and that it is better not to extend the system of brevets above major general.
If the President forces me into a false position out of seeming favor, I must defend myself.
Politicians like John Sherman
