The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-27
more and more recognized institution Of
Methodism.
"Ths Lost Cause'-An AssOunding Pre-
gramue, Though Perfectly Absurd.

gram.e, Though PerfectIy Absurd.
We publish to-day, with the ''strictly con-
fidential" circular introducing the document,
very remarkable pamphlet, entitled, Soon
cession, or How the Lost Cause May be
Regained, and the Independence of the South
Secured-Being an Address to my Fellow
Countrymen, by Concessionist, &c. Pub
lished by the Southern Association" The
''strictly confidential circular letter is dated
s'Rooms of the Southern Association, New
York, August, 1871" though it appears to be
issued for the Southern Association, Wash
ington." And this is all that we know about
it, though looking at the indignant repudia-
ton of the ''new departure" by JEFF Davis,
Alexander H. Stephens and numerous other
leading Southern 6re-eaters, we may say to
this extraordinary political paper, as Hamlet
said to his Governors ghost
Thou com'st in such questionable shape,
III speak to thee.
The document before us is divided into three
parts. Part First is a compact double-dis-
titled Southern argument, intended to show
that eve, the people of the South, are ma
ton, different and distinct from the people of
the North" and that ''no effort to bind us
together by force can succeed" and that at
best ''such union can only be temporary"
Part Second enters upon the main question,
show the Lost Cause may be regained," and
says that to this end ''the first step is to turn
back forever upon the venal, hypocritical,
false-hearted, Yankee, new departure de-
mocracy OF the North" because, intent only
upon the spoils of Office, ''they have ever de-
luded and deceived u.s." Next concentrate
all your attention and energies upon your own
domestic political affairs" and then, men of
the South, having cleared the track, you have
only to do three things to secure your indie
pendence, viz:-
First-Sccure the complete control, through the
ballot Dox, OF the local government OF every South
Second-When this Is done call q convention of
the States and elect President for your Southern
Tnird-Appoint Commission to washington to
demand your independence and treat for o peace
able separation.
1t is commended that this plan of operations,
being according to law" cannot be interfered
with, and that the demand suggested, if
firmly made this time, will succeed. We are
next told that ''North Carolina has commenced
the good work in the impeachment of the radi-
cal Governor, &c. Part Third of this Soon
cessionist' document is addressed to the
People of the North" in favor Of the separa-
ton of the two sections, whereby ''the indie
pendence of the South aud the peace, prosper
ity and liberty of the North are insepa-
rably linked together" In other words, the
two sections cannot be united till they are
divided, and they must be separated in order
to live harmoniously together.
Whence cometh this extraordinary revolu-
tionary document You may call it madness
'sbut there is method in it." 1t is concession =
list, and yet 1t is secessionist. 1t breaches
concession in order to gain secession, and,
sticking pin here, we think there is some
thing in it. We are informed, in the circular
letter aforesaid, that this Southern programme
of independence ''was prepared by one of the
most distinguished Of Georgia's statesmen"
This means, we suspect, that Mr.. A. II. Ste
phens is the man, and upon this assumption we
can account for the establishment of the new
Southern rights paper at Atlanta, of which he
is the political editor, and in which his whole
heart is devoted to a Southern reputation of
the Northern democracy on their ''new de-
parture." And to strengthen this opinion that
Mr.. Stephens is the author of this pamphlet
we are told in it part Second) that ''that glo-
rious banner, which was SO sadly furled at
Appomatto1, will once more fly freely from the
Capitol at Richmond, and he who of right
ought to sit there (Jeff Davis, of course) to
preside over our destiny, will be recalled from
his retirement amid the rejoicings of a re-
deemed people"
Now, all this may be very absurd; but it
cannot be denied that the Southern programme
here presented furnishes new aud striking
Interpretation of the late speeches of JEFF
Davis in Alabama and Georgia on the sac
ceptance OF the situation" He accepts
| nothing, he admits nothing, and he will dc
nothing toward the acceptance Of the
situation" Mr.. Stephens, in his new paper,
holds the same position. Fore God" Of
Dogberry puts it, 'they are both in tale
| There is evidently an understanding between
Stephens takes it up as the "new departure
of the "lost cause" Upon this theory there
is mischief in this thing. 1t demolishes the
democratic party in the South. 1t revives
the issues of the war in new shape. It ex-
plains the Ku Klux Klans and the Ku Klux
bill. 1t gives color to what General Grant
lately said to our correspondent at Long
Branch on the Treaty of Washington. He
feared another war with the South, and hence
his great desire for peace with England. But
may not this pamphlet be republican coun-
terfeit9 We hope so but we fear that it is
not II has all the ear-marks of Southern
manifesto, and doubtless it speaks the senti-
ments and the purposes of large body of
Southern men. If there is any man within
this call who knows that this is not Southern