The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-08-21

At the recent meeting OF the Southern
Historical Society, Admiral Semmes
submitted paper in vindication OF
himself. He said his ship (the Alabams)
had been called q pirate and buccaneer,
but he would show that she was q regu.
lar ship-of-war, commissioned by proper
authority. The Alabama had warrants
for all she did, and her conduct was
fully justified by precedents from the
United States. He said that on the
first proposition. he would say but little,
and would confinc himself chiefly to the
second. He said the United States had
applied to English builders for ships be-
fore he did, but that the Confederate
authorities offered moro. He said the
alabama had been armed and commits.
stoned on the high seas. Tho whole
question involved in the Alabama COM
plications was discussed elaborately,
cvincing the most accurate information
and learning. After leaving the legal
argument, he went into citation Of
various precedents furnished by the
action of the United States in the war
Of 1776 and 1912. He said the Alabama
had done nothing more than tho naval
authorities Of the United States bad di-
rected in innunerable instances. There
were grave charges against him. One
was, that he had burned captured ships
without authority of law; also, that he
had violated his parole, and that he had
foreigners on his ship. He refnted all
these charges by indisputable facts and
arguments. He said he was imprisoned
to mako an example, and was confined
for four months, while the United States
authorities were hunting up the evidence
to convict him. He said that while the
Alabama was built in England, she was
American all over. What our sires had
done in their day, their sons had done
in their day. The war is ended If the
nation exists, we will have but one his
tory. England has but one history
She had no history of the war of the
Red and White Roses. Our Cunfede-
rate history will live for generation or
more. In 500 years, there will be no
history of the Confederate States, but
OF the whole country. Let us, then,
preserve our records and archives. Oar
Society must not be scctariun. If our
Government is to be Government Of
the majority, without constitutional re-.
strictions, our days nre numbered; and
when that day comes, we will be vindi-
Gated and honorcd for our struggle for
constitutional liberty; and If wo come
back to the old form of constitutional
Government, our course will commend
itself unto all men. We are destined to
become people with one history. Let
us show magnanimity. If fame has
been gained on either side. let us pcrpe
tunte 1t. LIST us pursue that moderate
course, and give credit where credit is
due. BY the standard of truth, he was
willing to be judged. The conclusion
OF his address was eloquent and touch
ing. Ho said that the Alabama sleeps,
in the bosom Of the British Channel,
that sleep OF death which her com
mander will sleep iu short time at
most. rs hc trusts, in the bosom of his
native soil. Ii history cmbalms the
struggle OF the old thirteen colonies, SO
it will embalm our own immortal struS-
gle. His address greatly impressed the
large and appreciatiye audience. There
| was no bitterness, but an nble. tempo
rate. conclusive vindication Of the truth
Of history.