The Van Buren press., 1870-10-11
1" The War between the States, its Causes,
Character, Conduct and Results

BY Hon. ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS is the
title of a valuable work just tisSued by the Ma
tional Publishing Company of st. Louis. Mo.
Five years have elapsed since the close of
the bloodest and most gigantic war known to
modern history, and in that interval men have
had an opportunity Of thinking over the
events which passed before them in such
quick succession that reflection was impossi-
bic and as a natural consequence each section
has manifested a great desire to hear what the
other has to say of its motives and conduct i'm
the great struggle. This has led to the pro-
duction ofnumerous histories and narratives
on the Northern side, but until recently no
authentic or really meritorious history had
appeared on the side of the South. The de-
mand for such a work was keenly felt, and
there was very general feeling of satisfac-
ton experienced throughout the country.
when. three years ago it was announced that
the Hon. A. ii. stephens. the NiceP President
of the late Southern Confederacy, was about
to issue history Of" The Var BetWeea the
States" The promise tLen made is now full
fulled in the second and concluding volume
Of his great history, which lies before us.
Mr.. stephens was for many years a promi-
nent actor in the scenes of legislation, which
Immediately preceded the war, and knows
much of the secret history of those stirring
events which precipitated the great struggle
upon us. The character of his mind, his hab-
its ofthought, and splendid powers ofanalySis,
together with bis great honesty and truthful
ness as a statesman, rendered him in the eyes
of the whole country the proper historian of
the events in which he acted so conspicuous
a part. The indomitable energy which. in
the midst of falling health he brought to the
preparation ofthis work. was remarkable, and
has resulted in the production of the best his
tory Of the war, we have yet seen and the
only southern history of real merit that has
yet appeared.
The history Of the earlier days of the Con-
tederate Government and particularly that
portion of It's existence at Montgomery, as a
" Provisional Government l. given to the
world for the first time in thest. pages ~ 3
delegate from Georgia, and was entrusted
with many important duties. His statements
concerning these affairs are of great value.
His narrative of the Conference between
President Lincoln and the Confederate Com
miSsioncrs ut Hampton Roads, is the fullest
and most valuable vet given to the public.
Mr.. Stephens was the principal negotator on
the Southern side in these proceedings. in the
history of which the people of the whole coun-
try are so deeply interested. The vexed ques-
ton of the non-eXchange ofPrisoners of War
is laid bare before the reader, and the peace
movements in the South are thoroughly eX-
planned.
The present volume is a narration of the
events of tho War, and is as graphic and en-
tertaining as a romance, while possessing all
the higher qualities ofa veracious history. 1t
will be certain to find its way into the library
of every man who desires to hear both sides
of the question, and future generations will
regard it as the principal authority on the
Southern side. 1t is for sale by subscription
only. and Mr.. G. c, CoLBURN who is the au-
thorized Agent for this County is now can
vassng for it, and we hope his success will be
commensurate with the merits of this great