The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-08-25
The Great Work Completed,

we nave received the second volume
of"The War between the States, its Causes,
Character, Conduct, and Results" by AL
exander H. Stephens, just issued by The
National Publishing Company, Atlanta.
Five years have elapsed sin &C the close
of the bloOdiest and most gigantic war
known to modern history, and in that in
terval men have had an opportunity of
thinking over the events which passed be-
fore them in such quick succession that re-
Election was impossible and as a natural
consequence each section has manifested a
great desire to hear what the 9th or has to
say of its motives and conduct in the great
struggle. This has led to the production
of numerous histories and narativ es on
the Northen side, but until recently no
authentic or really meritorlous history
had appeared on the side of the South.
The demand for such a work was keenly
felt, and there was a very general feeling
Of satisfaction experienced throughout the
country, when three years ago, it was an
nouuced hat the Hon. A. IL. Stephens,
the Vice-President of the late Southern
Confederacy, was about to issue a history
of "The War Between the States" The
promise then made is now fulfilled in the
second and concluding volume of his great
history, which lies before us.
Mr.. Stephens was for many years q
prominent actor in the scenes of legisla-
ton, which Immediately preceded the
war, and knows much of the secret history
of those stirring events which precipitat-
ed the great struggle upon us. The
character of his mind, his habits of
thought, and splendid powers of analysis,
together with his great honesty and truth
fulness as a statesman, rendered him in
the eyes Of the whole country the proper
historian of the events in which he had
acted so conspicuous a part. The indOmi-
table energy which. in the midst of failing
health, he brought to the preparation Of
this work, was remarkable, and has result
ed 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
Confederate Government, and particularly
that portion of its existence at Montgome-
ry, as a "Provisional Government" is
given to the world for the first time in
these pages. Mr.. Stephens took part in
the Provisional Congress, as a 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
Commissioners at Hampton Roads, is the
fullest and most valuable yet given to the
public. Mr.. Stephens was the principal
negotiator on the Southern side in these
proceedings, in the history Of which the
people of the whole country are so deeply
Interested. The vexed question of the
non-exchange of Prisoners of War is laid
bare before the reader, and the peace
movements in the South are thoroughly
explained.
The present volume is a narration of the
events of the War, and is as graphic and
entertaining as a romance, while possess
ing all the higher qualities of a veracions
history. 1t will be certain to find its way
into the library of every man who desires
to hear both sids 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
agents are wanted in every county.