Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1868-03-05
HpYsday Mornisg. March 5, 1868,
Stephens War History.

Stephens War History.
The first volume of the book
which Hon. A. FL. Stephens has
been for some time preparing up
on the recent civil war, has been
finished and will be published in
advance of the other. The work
is not intended to be a history
of the war, but rather a discussion
of Its principles and its effect on
the nature and form of our Gov
eminent The first volume is de-
voted to a discussion of the nature
Of the Government, and is a pre-
liminary to the main subject,
which is reserved for the second.
Mr. Stephens, in the introduc-
ton, makes the following general
statement of the opposing politi-
cisl principles out OF which the
war arose:
cit is a postulate with many
writers of this day that the late
war was the result of two oppos-
ing ideas, or principles, upon the
subject of African slavery. Be-
tween these according to their the
cry, sprung the ''irrepressible con-
fiet," in principle; which ended
in the terrible conflict of arms
Those who assume this postulate,
and so theorize upon it, are but
superficial observers.
That the war had it origin in
opposing principles, which, in their
action upon the conduct of men,
produced the ultimate collision of
arms, may be assumed as an un-
Questionable fact. But the OPP
posing principles which produced
these rerultsin physical action were
of very different character from
those assumed IN the postulate.
They lag IN the organic structure Of
the Gorernmenfof the States. The
conflict in principle arose from diff
ferent and opposing ideas as to
the nature Of what is known as
the General Government. The
contest was between those who
held it strictly tosbe Federal in It's
character, and those who maintain
ed that it was thoroughly nation
al. It was a strife between the
principles of Federation on the
one side, and Centralism, or Con-
solidation On the other.
Slavery, 50 called, was but the
question on which these antagon-
istic principles, which had been
in conflict from the beginning, on
divers other questions, were final
ly brought into actual and active
collision with each other on the
field of battle.
Some of the strongest Anti
slavery men who ever lived were
on the side of those who opposed
the centralizing principles which
led to the war. Mr.. Jefferson
was striking illustration of this,
and a prominent example of
very large class Of both sections
OF the country, who were most
unfortunately brought into hostile
array against each other. No more
earnest or ardent devotee to the
emancipation Of the black race,
upon humane, rational and con-
stitutional principles, ever lived
than he was. Not even WILDER
force himself was more devoted
to that cause than Mr.. Jefferson
was. And yet Mr.. Jefferson,
though in private life at the, time,
is we'll known to have been utterly
opposed to the centralizing princi-
pie, when first presented, on this
question, in the attempt to impose
conditions and restrictions on the
State of Missouri, when she APP
Piled for admission into the Union
under the Constitution He look.
ed upon the movement as politi-
cal manoeuvre to bring the deli
cate subject land one that lay near
his heart) into the Federal Coun-
ellis, with a view, by Its agitation
In a forum where it did notproperiy
belong to strengthen the Central
lists in their efforts to revive their
doctrines, which had been so sig
nally defeated on so many other
questions. The first sound Of
their movements On this question
fell upon his ear as sire bell at
NIGHT" TIE same is true of many
oshers. Several of the ablest op-
ponents of that State restriction.
IA Congress, were equally well
L~o-z-- 4, ha "a decidedly in favor