Vicksburg weekly herald., 1877-10-05

A STORY OF sOUTHERN LIFE, BY JNo
NARcHMoSF.

characteristics Of Southern people
under the "0ld Regime" aS well ai
their peculiar trials aud dangers during
the dark days Of reconstruction. The
social life and Institutions of q people
can never bs understood by strangers
unless they are explained by literature
spriDglng direct from them and full OF
their spirit and vitality. AS yet 'he
South has had few voices to plead for
her In the quiet walks Of literature,
and perhaps no people in history have
been 90 well abused and so little under.
stood as those who constituted the
Southern COnfederacy. Their match
less deeds aud chivalric bearing on the
field during their memorable struggle
for independence, have challenged the
admiration Of the world, but too many
such virtues, were only " "linked with a
thousand crimes" and served but 10
intensity the spirit Of fanatical hatred
with which our cause was regarded.
The eloQuenCe Of the pulpit and the 70.
rum, the exaggerated writings of Mrs.
Stowe and others,had directed the enmi-
ty and hatred of the world against our
peculiar institution" until we had
been stigmatized as q cruel, naughty,
and remorseless race of shareholders
and dealers in human flesh and blood.
When the war began, we were friend
less and excluded from the sympathy
Of the world, 80 readily granted 10
most people struggling against great
odds, whether for real or fancled
wrongs, ennobled by pluck and dar-
ing defiance. As the war progressed, 1t
seemed to the world an anomaly that a
people so stigmatized as cruel and half
barbArous, should furnish an army so
heroic and devoted, and leaders so
distinguished for goodness, allied with
greatness, that the civilized world has
adopted them as models of chivalric
soldiers. Men who though fierce and
eager where duty and honor called to
danger and glory, never stained their
swords or consciences by wanton cru.
city, and never failed 10 mitigate the
horrors OF war.
1t is the purpose OF this book, by
faithful picture Of Southern life, senti.
ments and institutions, 10 justify the
motives that impelled to war, and to
clear away the dark shadows Of cruelty
to he slave, and Of naughty feudal
semi.barbarous pride in the master,
and 10 reveal TO US q society where
protection, kindness and even affection
tempered authority In the master, and
the spirit Of domination and rule
Springing from habits OF command,
was ennobled by an individuality strong
and self-rellant, yet softened by chival-
rlc tenderness for the weak and op.
pressed. These conditions were the
sources Of the splendid civic and mill.
tary virtues displayed by the South
during the war.
We dwell on this subjec. because the
cause Of the South and the character
oi her people, have been so long dark
ened by their association with slave.
ry-as it was depicted by the fanatics
ofthe North. As to our peculiar in.
stitutioD," we firmly believe to-day,
that while probably the individual was
often sacrificed, q happy and contented,
well.fed and protected race Of laborers
were created and the negro elevated 10
a position of order and usefulness be
was never able 10 attain otherwise.
While the South disclaims all respon.
Slbility for its origin, che can point
with pride to the useful labors aud ma.
terial welfare cheered by the kind and
friendly relations Of master and slave
Apart from its quasi political char.
acter, this book is full Of spirited mar.
rative and exciting incidents and per.
sonal adventure, richly characteristic
Of Southern life. It's hero and heroine,
tried by the purifying fres of war and
desolaiion-by ell those terrible
changes, political, social and material
that swept like a bosom of destruction
over the PROSTATE South-teach 10 US
beautiful lessons Of self.denlal and
courage, amid trials, sacrifices and
wrongs, with which all Southerners
are too familiar. While exhibiting a
strong Southern feeling, the author
evidently q woman) reveals a woman.
ly grace and Christian charity in deal.
ing with the questions relating TO
the war and reconstruction, land she
has the substantial merits Of honesty
and purity Of purpose In depicting The
terrible trials to which her people were