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To quote William Tecumseh Sherman

Submitted by Roanman on Mon, 07/13/2009 - 07:40

 

War is hell.
 
Some of you young men think that war is all glamour and glory, but let me tell you boys, it is all hell.
 
War is cruelty.  There's no use trying to reform it.  The crueler it is, the sooner it will be over.
 
I am sick and tired of war.  It's glory is all moonshine.  It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded, who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation.
 
 Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.
 
You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will.  War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out.  I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace.
 
 If the people raise a great howl against my barbarity and cruelty, I will answer that war is war, and not popularity seeking.
 
 In our Country one class of men makes war and leaves another to fight it out.
 
Grant stood by me when I was crazy, and I stood by him when he was drunk, and now we stand by each other.
 
I will not accept if nominated, and will not serve if elected.