The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-08-09
OH A r L e S TO n
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 9, 1866
THE LOST CAUSE,

We have been furnished by the agent, Mr..
ROBERT WILSON, with n copy of Mr.. Pol
LARD's new history of the Confederate cause
and war. The full title of tho book is as
follows: "The Lost Cause; new Southern
History of the War of the Conrederates,
comprising full and authentic account of
the rise and progress of the late Southern
Confederacy-the Campaigns, Battles, Incl
dents, and Adventures of tho most Gigantic
Struggle of tho Worlds History, Drawn
from official sources, and approved by tho
most distinguished leaders, by EDWARD A.
POLLARD, of Virginia, editor of the Rich
mond Examiner during tho war. With nu-
merous splendid Steel Portraits. Now York
E. B. TREAT & Co., Publishers" The book
makes fine appearance, and contains 752
pages of royal octave.
Tho first four chapters treat of the politi-
cal questions of the country from the forma-
,ion of the American Constitution to the date
of the Secession of South Carolina. He then
goes on to give the history of the secession Of
the several States, with the leading CON-
ments Of contemporary journals of influence;
draws pictures also of the principal actors
in the movement. That these are not al-
ways just OF impartial, will surprise no ono
who was in the habit of reading the Rich
'nond Examiner during the war. That jour
nal, it is we'll known, in it's palmest days
was nothing if not sensational but its inveo.
tive was specially directed, almost from the
| very first, against the person and character
of Mr.. DAVIS. Nothing that he did could
please the Examiner: and yet it is upon the
war reputation of that journal Mr.. POLLARD
| expects to sell his book, else he would not
parade the fact of his connection with it
upon the title page.
We read Mr.. P.'s books during the war;
his "histories' and his pamphlets, even his
prison experience and we heard with regret
that he was going to be our historiographer
| for we had no hope that he could debarrass
himself sufficiently of prejudice and party
spirit to fully comprehend the duties of the
high and sacred Office of the historian, and
execute the task dispassionately, in the pure
interests of truth and justice. Not only were
we afraid that Mr.. e. A. POLLARD was not
the man to do this, but we were moreover
satisfied that this was not tho time to attempt
such work. 1t is very we'll just now to
collect all available material, in the shape of
| memoirs, rominisccnoos, journals, anecdotes
| official documents, etc., pertaining to the four
years of the war even the files of the Er-
amtncr may not prove without service TO some
future Confederate historian; but we respect
fully suggest, that it is as yet too early even
many of the chief actors and participants in
those memorable scenes are still in our midst,
to make it proper or even possible to view
the history of the great struggle in an inde-
pendent, unprejudiced, historian-like manner.
But should any one consider these objec.
tions as captious, and not we'll taken, we
have still graver one in reserve. We are
still, the greater part of us, psroled prisoners
Martial law, in one form or another, still
throws her protecting shield around us; and
we cannot in all instances, say what we
would. We respectfully submit, therefore,
whether, under these circumstances, it is no,
somewhat derogatory to the dignity of the
Southern character to rush into print, and
parade our "insiden difficulties and auarrels
to the world at large, and reveal the private
jealousies and animosities of our unfortunate
family TO the cold and unsympathizing eye
Of our late enemies
Another objection to Mr.. PoLLARD's book,
as it was to the Examiner, is his proclivty to
military criticism. He speaks er-eathedra on
what, it is well known, is not bis forte, how.
ever he may insist on thinking otherwise.
Mr.. P. is man of peace by profession, and
pursued the paths of peace all through the
war, believing as he doubtless did, that "the
pen is mightier than the sword" However,
we have found fault enough, and will now
address ourselves to the more pleasing task
Of pointing out the excellencies of the work,
which are not few.
Mr. P. is fluent writer his style pleasing
never commonplace, often trenchant, and oc-
casionally rising to tho very climax of with.
ering sarcasm. lie is bold and independent;
perfect iconoclast where he comes in
contact with yankee saints.n Nothing is
too sacred. His profane soalpel dissects men
| nTh tun0 rh, L. ~