Thus decided in his convictions and loyalty, he did not wait for the thunder of cannon around Fort Sumter. He wrote the following manly, strong, and patriotic letter, which tells its own glorious story:
“JANUARY 18, 1861. “GOV. THOMAS O. MOORE, BATON ROUGE, LA.
“SIR:—As I occupy a _quasi_-military position under this State, I deem it proper to acquaint you that I accepted such position when Louisiana was a State in the Union, and when the motto of the seminary was inserted in marble over the main door, ‘_By the liberality of the General Government of the United States_: The Union—_Esto Perpètua_.’
“Recent events foreshadow a great change, and it becomes all men to choose. If Louisiana withdraws from the Federal Union, _I_ prefer to maintain my allegiance to the old Constitution as long as a fragment of it survives, and my longer stay here would be wrong in every sense of the word. In that event, I beg you will send or appoint some authorized agent to take charge of the arms and munitions of war here belonging to the State, or direct me what disposition should be made of them.
“And furthermore, as President of the Board of Supervisors, I beg you to take immediate steps to relieve me as superintendent the moment the State determines to secede; for on no earthly account will I do any act, or think any thought, hostile to or in defiance of the old Government of the United States.
“With great respect, &c., “(Signed) W. T. SHERMAN.”
What a scorching rebuke is that in the first paragraph! How sublimely loyal the sentiments of the last!
The resignation was accepted. The professor turned his back upon his cadets and upon Louisiana, till he shall return under the torn and blackened flag of conquest. Repairing to St. Louis, he had no employment for his brain or hands. But he was ready for any honest work. Mr. Lucas, one of the millionaires of the city, offered him the office of superintendent of a street railroad, on a salary of two thousand dollars a year. He at once entered upon its duties, without a regret that he had abandoned the halls of military science and a larger reward for his labor.
My young reader, it is a lesson for all ages and all times. Embrace the providential openings for reputable and useful labor, without regard to the present applause or the favor of the busy multitude about you. Think of the brave Captain—the educated instructor—managing the affairs of a city horse-railway! Then think of the host of young men, who would rather starve, or _gamble_, to keep up the appearance of wealth and position, rather than _go down_ in the world’s estimate of what is respectable and fashionable, and you will admire the truly heroic character of the gifted Sherman.
