The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-17
A Chapter Of Unwritten History.

We do not think that there Is anybody in
New York city who considers the Union
stiIl in peril from secession doctrines; vet
tn Maine, In Vermont, in Iowa, and in
ether remote Businesses OF Republicanism
there are to-day thousands OF voters who
honestlv believe not only that the great
mass Of Southern people are unrecon-
structed rebels, whose sentiments are fair
~ represented by the expressions of Rob-
EBT TooMBs, but even that the Exon
lederate leaders are conspirators, biding
their time 10 strike again for the cause
which they lost in the late civil war
Let any reader who doubts this state
nent go north to within hundred miles
Of the Canada line, strike into the country
away from the cities and the railroads,
nnd then talk half an hour with some in
teflgent farmer who reads one newspaper
and votes the Republican ticket The in
yestigator, take our word for IL, will be
pstonished to learn that this is not the Cen
lennial, but the year 1896. One does not
have TO go very far north to get back ten
PEARS.
This widely-sprcad belief in n possible
resurrection of the issues of the war Is
recognized and employed by men like
BLAINE and MORTON. 1t is nurtured by
The partisan press, aud is improved to the
utmost by local demagogues whenever
election time comes round
Those who have never learned that the
question of secession was forever closed by
The result Of the war may be interested TO
know that an opportunity was once offered
70 the Southern leaders for renewal of
She struggle under most favorable circum-
stances. and that the offer was Indignantly
rejected.
At the time Of the FIRST trouble with
England in regard to the Alabama claims,
when war was freely talked Of on both
sides OF the Atlantic, an emissary of the
British Government went to Savannah
and sought interviews with a number OF
prominent ex-Confederate officers. Among
these were Gen. JOE JOHNSTON and Gen.
LOWELL. The British agent proceeded
cautiously TO sound them in regard TO their
sentiments toward the Union, and finally
animated that IL they could be induced TO
nike up arms once more against the North,
they would receive from England that
material support which had been expected
promised. furthermore, that England
would not only recognize the Confederacy
70 begin with. but would at once furnish
two hundred thousand stand OF arms.
The extent OF Great Britain's intentions
will probably never be known. The two
Generals already mentioned as well AS
other prominent Southerners, both civil
and military, who were approached, not
emily rejected the proposals OF the ennis
oAry. but even refused to listen to him OF
% his promises. They had fought hard,
sheu AID anu oeen ueolded against them,
hut nothing could induce them to take up
arms again against the Government Of the
United States, and they limited pretty
strongly TO the gentleman from London
that II war was to be between England
and America they would be found fight
ting under the old flag.
The South accepted the situation and re-
fused. only few months after LEES sur
render, TO consider the question Of a re-
newal Of the struggle. The men to-day
who endeavor TO keep alive the old resent
nentare not the Southerners who fought,
but the Northerners who stayed at home.