The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-11-09
OUR RICHMOND LETTER.

our uelegaLes Will proDaply Do ehtlrely
excluded.
OUR RICHMOND LETTER.
Regular Weekly Letter 10 he Wheeling Intelf-
geneT.
+ II RIoHoMND, Nov. 0, 1896.
the independence, which the South as
serted for four years by military power,
was the unexampled activity produced
blythe necessity or self-reliance, inevita-
bly, imposed upon those who adopt an
existence separate and Independent OF
all others. Reputation Of everything
Northern, and q denial to- ourselves OF
the comforts and Conveniences, which
Northern industry had previously sup
piled, were the natural sequences OF
secession. We endeavOred TO be our
own mechanics, and the producers OF
the materials no less Indispensable for
the ordinary uses Of life, than for the
maintenance Of the gigantic struggle,
in which we had involved ourselves.
Though our success was poor enough
In many OF the branches Of industry,
andour labors barely sufIiced to keep the
experiment in motion, the intellectual
activity invoked by our situation was
highly beneficial, and promises graft
flying results in tho great work Of the
intellectual and material regeneration
OF the South, under the propitious
RuspiceS OF the Restored Union. ES-
peCially In the fields Of literature were
the evidences manifested OF a thorough
~ awakened intellectual vigor. Books,
pamphlets and publications Of every
description, embracing subjects OF ev:
cry conceivable character, were Issued
rapidly from the publishing houses OF
every leading Southern city, and in a
few months the writings Of Thompson,
Hope, Tmrod, Hayne, the McCabes,
the HolcombeS, Bledsoe, Bagby, and
others, constituted very favorable
basis upon which to continue the devel-
opment of an elevated aud well ordered
Southern literature. 1t Is gratifying to
observe that this literary activity has
suffered no serious abatement from the
utter disappointment of the Southern
mind In its aspiration for polical indie.
pendenCe, by the overwhelming decision
OF the sword, and the numerous works
AuM .tAV pG4o VI ouhhh0Ah nNSaSAot
now ln-cOursQ OF preparation, indicate
valuable contributions to the garnered
wealth of our national literature. The
late war, with It's innumerable and vas
ried incidents, will for long time nf-
ford ample employment 10 the pens OF
Southern HteTdteitrS, and the South Will
have ample opportunity for whatever
VindicntiOn she may be entitled to.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages OF
her situation us tho defeated party, the
inexornble audi dtterdm parton OF pub
lie opinion, will accord the same nttGn-
tive consideration to the commentator
OF her virtues, the pallintiOn Of her
errors, the claims Of sympathy in her
nistortunes, us to tho recital OF the
errors and provocations which finally
brought upon her 10 terrible n retribu-
ton.
"HIstorIes OF the War" are announced
MS forthcoming from the pens Of several
Southern authors Of literary, MILL
tRry or political reputation. First in
distinction, rs also in value, will
be the promised work OF General Robt.
Z. Lee, which, however, may not be
anticipated for some time 70 come, as
General Leo Is said to have done little
more than arrange the papers and doc
unents necessary to the prosecution OF
his labOrs. Many incorrect statements
concerning this work have found their
way into the newspapers, respecting
the origin md motives Of tho enter
prise, and the circumstances OF Its pros
ecution. General Lee does not feel
himself adequate to the task OF writing
such book rs tie subject requires, in
consequence Of tho result OF the war,
involving tho loss of 10 many Of his
own private papers, and especially OF
the Official records OF the Confederate
Government, Of which his dispatches,
md other communications, formed so
large and conspicuous n portion. Es-
teeming himself, however, M the source
from which, most appropriately, will
come historical Indication OF tho la
bOE and achievements Of the great
army which he no long commanded, he
has contracted with Il New York pub
Usher, 10 furnish n work which must
necessarily prove m able and valuable
contribution TO the Literature of the
War.
Edward Pollard will continue his
"HlstOry OF the War" Of which no had
already completed several volumes prl-
or to the termination Of the struggle
The succeeding volumes of the Pollard
History may DO expected to exhibit u
vast deal OF pungcnt snrcnsn, bitter In
veCtlye and close criticism OF the course
Of the North during tho war, II VIC may
Judge by those Hlreudypublished ,nndby
disqualification since tho war has closed.
Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet will
also doubtless receive large share OF
nOt-OVGr complimentary notice, ns Mr..
Pollard has always prOfeASed TO believe
TINT tho Confederate cause was lost
through the stupidity and pervorsGncss
OF tho Davis Government. ! presume
thnt his conviction In this respect, like
his prGIudIces ngMinst yankees" hnvO
undergone no change.
Under this hOad Of "HIStOricH
Of the War" must nlso bO class.
ell tho forthcoming "InsldO View
Of the rebellion" by Roger A. Pryor.
This wOIk will embrace nix hundred
pngpS, and will doubtless prove u very
attractive ind entertaining publication.
Pryor Inns brilliant fnncy, and hns nc.
Quired by his long experience In Jour.
nnlism, md close study Of composition,
hU tAGFtuIURly captivating hlyIes lin
career, during the "robelIon,h WINS nn
exceedingly clIcQucrcd ono, and his
book should bC entertaining In variety
ut lcnst, Rs no literally RHw I'LL the cups
nnd downs" Of iavOr md disfnvOr with
the "p0wcrS TINT were" In the COnirdpr.
nGy, At first, Colonel OF volunteers,
md then member Of Congress, 10 was
appointed II lITigndier General before
hC lind been In bnttlC, by Mr.. Davis,
who, II WIS snld, was anxious t0romOvC
him from Congress, where he WINS SUP.
posed 10 10 gradually nilIllhtIng with
tho opponents Of tho DnvIH "AdmIniS.
trnti0n." Toward the close of tho war
ho resigned hlH commission, hnyinv
fnllcn into diBlNvOr with the Govern
mCnt, md WINS understood to revnrd
the "COniGdOrncy" like himself, I'm bret.
iy well "plnyGd out"
In addition To these works, Or. Dnpby
II preparing his" Anecdotes OftlIG War;
John EstCn Cooke, (Siunrt'a Adlutnnt
Gcmonl, is writing series of brilllnnt
sketches, entitled "Sl6rICs Of tho Slr,Iv-
glC," for tho Now York World, md
other Southern writer's too humorous
10 mention here, nrC engaged In Inbors
devoted 10 the illustration Of features
and incidents Of our lnLD nlyIl ufriItyUIC