The southerner., 1866-08-25
LETTER FROM HON. MONT
GOMERY BLAIR.
William C. Bryant, Esq,
Editor of EueninQ Post !:

WUtL0W u. DTyuHt, ESQ
Editor of Euening Post ::
MY DEAR SIR A writer in your
paper makes severe animadversions on
the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, pro-
voked it seems, by letter written by
him to me. His assuasive tone, the
patriotic feeling, the resigned, self-de-
nying devotedness with which be ac-
quiesces in the fortune meted out to
himself in common with his fellow-oiti-
zens of the South, and would now tarn
adversity itself to good account by ma
king it rebound to a more close, more
cordial and secure Union than that
which proceeded hostilities, finds no
federation. It is amazing, after the
horrid struggle in which our kindred of
all the States have been decimated,
that any one should be found unwilling
to be appeased and to renew fraternal
feeling Mr.. Stephens great crime, in
the eye Of the Posts contributor, is,
that the same spirit now animates him
that made that most eloquent of all
appeals-his speech to the people of
Georgia to arrest the revolutionary con-
fict at the opening, by preventing the
secession of Georgia from tho Union,
and which now pleads for its restora-
ton, having, in the interval, stood by
the State and the South.
But is there anything unnatural or
objectionable in this Do we not see
the highest intelligence and noblest
sensibiity that adoru our nature drawn
to the side Of those who have fallen
into error from honorable motives, al
though these motives may have been
instilled into the community by artful,
intriguing, selfish men for selfish ends,
at war with the public good? Does
not every candid mind now perceive,
that looks back to the thirty years his
tory of secession, that it was a war Of
sections, that gradually brought TO the
issue and trial cf battle, by the ambi-
tion of a few political leaders who avail
ed themselves of the difference in the
great common Interests, North and
South, which had prevailing sway over
the minds of masses in the two sections,
to produce TIE belief that there was an
irreconcilable incompatibility between
them, rendering separation inevitable !?
Everybody knows that there were null
, titudes Of enthusiasts on both sides who
urged on this quarrel, under the delu-
sion that it was mere matter of dis
cussion, which would be terminated by
peaceable separation, or pass off like
other political questions by collapse
of the infammatory feeling melted by
debate. All such disputants and the
great body of The people were taken by
surprise on the outbreak of the war,
organized by the secret cabal Of cons
pirators but when tho war came, in
spite OF all appeals of sober minded pa
triots to stay its fury, when the thun'
der of cannon had begun, what could
the lovers of peace in either section dc
but submit to the force with which they
were. surrounded in the States to which
they belonged? General Lee said te
my father, when he was sounded by
him, at the request of President Lin
coin, about taking command Of our ar
, my against the rebellion, then hanging
upon the decision of the Virginia Con
vention, Mr. Blair, l look upon seces
sien as anarchy. If [ owned the fou1
millions of slaves in the South l woulc
: sacrifice them all to the Union, but how
can l draw my sword upon Virginia
my native State?" He could not dc
1 termine then said he would consul
: with his friend General Scott, and wen
If on the same day to Richmond, probabl.
n to arbitrate difficulties and we see th
Il result. 1t is hard for noble mind t
+ tear itself from home, kindred, friends
and native soil, and 60 into opposit
ranks to crush them all. This was th
case of Stephens as we'll as Lee. |
was the case of nearly every elevate
soul in the South, when the Govern
ment of the United States, delinquer
y in all its duties, had failed to max
u preparation to arrest violence at th
n outbreak, and cure the phrenzy b
" binding it in the beginning, and pr
vent its running on until it became
sectional war, and, in effect. Natione
War, in its influences on the people
both sections, who were brought
CONSIDER the success of the one and tt
}, subjugation of the other.
As the South grew weaker and bega
to stagger under the heavy blows
the gigantic North, all her brave spiri
rallied to her support. Even the slav
were moved by the natural instinct, f