his
election seems quite as clear. The action of North Carolina removed
the last doubt of his nomination.

"Affectionately yours,
"John Sherman."

"Headquarters Military Division of the Missouri,}
"St. Louis, March 14, 1868. }
"Dear Brother:--I don't know what Grant means by his silence in
the midst of the very great indications of his receiving the
nomination in May. Doubtless he intends to hold aloof from the
expression of any opinion, till the actual nomination is made,
when, if he accepts with a strong radical platform, I shall be
surprised. My notion is that he thinks that the Democrats ought
not to succeed to power, and that he would be willing to stand a
sacrifice rather than see that result. . . . 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. I don't see what the Republicans
can gain by shoving matters to an extent that looks like a foregone
conclusion.

"No matter what men may think of Mr. Johnson, his office is one
that ought to have a pretty wide latitude of opinion. Nevertheless,
the trial is one that will be closely and sternly criticised by
all the civilized world. . . .

"Your brother,
"W. T. Sherman."

At this time I wrote from Washington:

"You notice the impeachment proceedings have commenced. As a matter
of course, I have nothing to say about them. It is strange that
they have so little effect on prices and business. The struggle
has been so long that the effect has been discounted. . . .

"The President was very anxious to send you to Louisiana, and only
gave it up by reason of your Indian command. He might think that
your visit to Europe now was not consistent with the reason given
for your remaining at St. Louis. Still, on this point you could
readily ask his opinion, and if that agrees with Grant's you need
feel no delicacy in going. No more favorable opportunity or time
to visit Europe will likely occur. . . ."

General Sherman replied:

"I hardly know what to think of the impeachment. Was in hopes Mr.
Johnson would be allowed to live out his term, and doubt if any
good will result by a change for the few months still remaining of
his term. A new cabinet, and the changes foreshadowed by Wade's
friends, though natural enough, would have insufficient time to do
any good. I have a private letter fr