South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-08-19

SeSSiJ WIS thc urycSt-h any par. oil this mag
niliccnt production can be called dry-has met
with such wonderful md rapid sale, what arc VIC
not warranted in predicting for the second, in
which the thrilling story Of the most terrible and
destructive war OF modern times, is told with all
the fascination Of romance and all the sublimity
Of truth. Mr.. SrErHENs sights no feature Of the
War, and his work reveals q particularly into
resting and fascinating portion of its history,
which has never been made public until now
lie goes to the bottom Of the secession movement,
and gives the confidential history Of the Convcn-
ton which formed the Coufederncy. The vcred
question OF the non exchange of prisoners of war
has much new light shed upon it, and this alone
ought to commend the book to every ono who
saw the inside Of Northern or Southern prison.
What will strike the practiccd reader most IA
vorably, however, is the fact that Mr.. Stephens
narrative is free from bitterness and sectional
feeling. lie writes with that calm dignity which
is always the historians most effective weapon,
weighing facts according TO their merits, and ar
irving ut conclusions with clearness of judg-
ment which is, to say the least, remarkable in
one who was himself 30 important an actor in
the events narrated. II is this fact which will
make his book so welcome to those who are seek
ing substantial information upon the subjects trcn
ted Of, and who prefer clear and straightforward
statements of ,chdt du,ic, to fine theories rs
TO what might hare been accomplished. Having
been compelled by i'll health, since tho war, to
rcmnin almost entirely in the privacy of lis
hou,c, and to take no part in tho questions of
| the day, Mr.. Stephens has been enabled - look
back over his long aud honorable career with the
caluncss Of one whose record is completed, and to
produce, his most valuable service to the coun-
try, the magnificent history which lies before US.
This volume is ILLUSTRATED with excellent por-
traits of Generals Beduregard, Lee, Johnston, and
Grant, and Mcssrs. Lincoln, Douglas, Darts,
7oonsbs, and Stephens. 1t contains also q fac
siniie Of Mr. Lincot ms celebrated letter to Mr.
Stephens Of date December %, 1860. For the in
| formation Of nny-if any such there be-who
| suppose that Mr.. LINCOLN cmancipatcd the NO
grocs for their own good, and not mere war
measure We reproduce this letter in full
"FSr your Orn Eyes only.
"SrnINcYIELp, ILL.,, December %, 1860.
| "I{on. n. II. Sfrphens-
"My DEAR SIe: Your obliging answer to my
| short note is inst received, and for which please
| accept my thanks. fully appreciate the pres
eEt peril the country is in and the weight Of re-
| sponsihility on me-. Do the people of the South
really entertain fears that Republican admin
istration would, directly indirectly, interfere
with the slaves. or with them about their slaves
II they do, wish to assure you, as once friend,
and still, hope, not nu enemy, that there is no
| cause for such fears. The South would be in no
more danger in this respect than it was in the
days Of Washington. ! suppose, however, this
does not meet the Case. You think slavery is
| right md ought to be extended, while VIC think
it is sOrong and ought to be restricted. That, !
suppose, is the rub. II certainly is the only sub
| siaptial difference between US.
"iours, very truly, A. LINCOLN"
This volume is fun of interesting documents.
The Appendices arc worth the price of the book.
We would that this valuable work could be sold
by The hundreds of thousands Of copies. The
book is sold by subscription only, and An agent
's wanted FOR Hampshire county. and also for O.
! very county in the State.