Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-04-13
THE AMERICAN CONFLICT.

| ~ >A'ioiuj SoAii.' nave kluuly furnished
us some specimen pages of the American
Conflict: A history of the great Rebellion in
| the United States of America, 1860 GA :
Its Causes Incidents, and Results Intend
ed to exhibit especially its Moral and Politi-
cal Phases, with the drift and progress of
American opinion respecting human slavery
from l776 to 1864.
The general scope of this work can be
better understood by reading the following
extracts from the publishers prospectus
The conflict between Freedom and Sla-
| very, extending through the entire period
OF our National independence, and culmin-
atlng IN the most gigantic and unjustifable
| Rebelllon on record, affords material of IN
| tense interest for the Historians widest
scope. But while the mutterings of the
distant War-cloud, the open revolt, the up
| rising Of the people, the march of ostile
armies, the strife and carnage Of battle with
deeds OF valor and heroic suffering, are por-
trayed with graphic skill, let us bear in mind
| that conflict OF opinions underlies the i'm
| mediate cause of all civil connections and
upheayings OF society, and in that stage of
clylllzatlon1o which Christendom has now
attained, the conflict of the battle field will
OiiIy lCh Il contemplation when
considered IN Its connection with that pro-
gresS of opinion which marks the great
epOchs Of the world S history, and which a.
lone can exert any decided Or lasting influence
on the progress and well being Of mankind.
Human bloodshed, abstIactly considered,
Is neither pleasant nor profitable theme
Only when 1t conduces to some great moral
or social end-when 1t opens the doors of
the prISon-house, or sweeps away the slave
pen aud the auction-block to make room for
the printing press and the common-school-
can it be regarded by the humane and CON
siderate with grateful satisfaction
In this history, the progress of opinion,
as exhibited III enactments orders and proc
Ianations, not only prior to but during the
war for the Union, will be carefully noted
and recorded, with fixed resolve to do JUS
tIce not only to the valor and fortitude, but
to the motives and purposes, of those who
resisted as well as OF those who sustained
the Republic in its arduous struggle for in
tegrity and freedom. Those whose efforts
flow naturally from their convictions can af-
ford TO do justice to adversaries who also are
lmpelled by convictions, however mistaken
and 1T Is believed that no partisan Of the
Rebellion, whether in the North or in the
South, Will have reason to complain of this
work as lacking IN candor or in generosity.
In addition to the special value Of the
work as highly authentic record of the civ
ii and military operations Of this eventful
era, the great feature which will distinguish
this History Of the War from all Others and
give 1t a permanent value as a work of the
highest authority for future reference, will
be found in its presenting deeper, broader,
more exhaustive exhibit of the long train of
causes which impelled to this bloody eollis-
lon-the conflicting ideas which rendered it
inevitable.
The publishers respectfully admit that no
living American writer could more ftly as
sumo this responsible task, or produce |
more honest and truthful history Of the Re
bellon and its Indictments, or one calcula- |
ted to inspire more general interest among |
the great mass of the American people, and |
also throughout the European nations, than |
the eminent author of this work. His en-
tire familiarity with the political history Of |
the country, his exhaustleSs fund Of Stats
teal information, his independence, fearless
ness and unyielding integrity to his convic-
tons as political writer and public speak
er, all contribute to guarantee this work to
be one OF no common interest, and insure an
eager desire among both friends and oppo-
nents, to see and peruse the history of this
gigantic struggle from the stand point of
the great American Journalist.
The writer commences his history at the
time the independence Of the United States
was conceded by Great Britain on Nov 3Oth,
1872, at which time the population of the
States Was little less than Three Millions,
lf whom half million were slaves He
hen briefly states where this population
vas mainly settled at the time of the Revo-
utlon, and recites the condition of the coun-
ny at the close of our struggle for indepen-
ienceza alludes to the proation Of trade
Ind commerce, and the unsettled state of the
affairs of the young republic
peaks of its people as an entirely agricultur-
i population, and of their trials and hard
hips, and of the rapid flow of this popula-
ion westward into the great valley of the
mississippi and its tributaries. The writer ]
hen says
yet it would not be just to closethis has
y and casual glance at our country, under {
he old federation, without noting some fea- I
ures which tend to relieve the darkness of {
he picture. The abundance and excellence I
Il the timber, which still covered at least {
wo thirds of the area of the then States,
nabed the common people to supply them
elves with habitations, which, however c
ude and uneomely, were more substantial c
nd comfortable than those possessed by the t
masses of any other country on earth. The !
lxurlant and omnipresent forests were like i
yise the sources of cheap and ample sup
hes of fuel, whereby the severity of our S
orthern winters was mitigated, and the ]
Tarm, bright fireside of even the humblest /
amily, in the long winter evenings of our t
altitude, rendered centers of cheer and en- /
)yment. Social intercourse was more gem !
raj, less formal, more hearty, more valued, /
han at present Friendships were warmer g
nd deeper. Relationship, by blood or by t