Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-15
The Lost Cause,
Tnr Epronr TO REGAIS Ir--AppRrss al
CAPT. MAFFITT.


CAPT. MAFFITT.
Capt John n. Maffit delivered the address
at the Confederate Memorial Day services in
Wilmington, \. c., on Friday. The follow
ing extract will show the kind of talk most
applauded in the South;
The late Emperor of France. in an infor-
NAL interview with one of our quasi-ropresen-
tatiyes. in expressing this feeling, remarked
that, if the Confederate States would guaran-
tee the prospective freedom of her slaves the
paramount obstacles to her recognition would
be removed. 4 three-vears' desperate strug-
gle against the ineNhauStiblc advantages pos
sessed by the North had demonstrated that
our resources were rapidly becoming depleted.
Lincoln'S Emancipation Proclamation was
staring Us in the face. clearly cnunciating
what we had to expect in the event of being
defeated by the overw Ginning power of the
North Unprepared for the unexpected re-
sort to arms, we were necessarily dependent
upon the workshops of Europe for the prose
cuion of the war, and our choice, like that
of the Captain of ship in a storm. was be-
tween two cvils--the loss of part of our
cargo or the sacrifice of our whole ship of
State. Could this question have been sub
mitted - the people of the South-in view of
the countless sacrifices they had already made
for the causc-I cannot but think their con-
sent would have been obtained. The rccog-
milton and friendly aid of France in the dark
est hour of the Revolution secured the indie
pendence of the united Colonies at Yorktown
Had we secured the recognition and aid of
either of these great powers, success would
have crowned our efforts and enabled us to OBJ
tain an honorable and satisfactory peace
Failing in this the Confederacv had no choice
Lat, tl,l last ,,
Overcome by superior numbers, she at last
died with her harness on. and fought like Il
nation that deserved to be free.
The day is approaching when an unprciu-
diced historian with the devoted perseverance
of Il ST. jerome. will produce for the worlds
information and admiration faithful record
of our gigantic struggle, in which link after
link. now buried will start into life until the
illuminated whole shall put to shame our de-
tanners Then will be illustrated beyond Il
peradventure, our paucity Of numbers against
multitudinouS armies-the poverty of a Gov
eminent sustained by ragged and half starved
troops whose splendid loyalty never wavcrcd
and whose courage embraced the extreme
point of martial daring.
The cause defended was that of self gov
eminent and constitutional liberty. States
men have grasped the fundamental principles
which from the mere attrition of our armies
fell with their standard, and in the legislative
halls of our country they are making a glo-
rious effort for the preservation of the hcri-
tage bcqueathed to us in l1s7. The cry from
the North was the Union the Union but
they manifested naught save contempt for the
Constitution that sealed and sanctifed that
Union. Beginning with contempt they would
end with an utter disregard of its teachings
and if permitted would subvert it. We must
not close our eyes to the vital importance of
the present struggle-a struggle with the
hope of rescuing the palladium of our lber-
ties from the Decorating hand of selfish par
tsanship. We cannot sit idly by, mute and
uninterested spectators. We must cheer the
faint heart and strengthen the feeble knees
and make straight paths for our feet, or while
we vet sleep the enemy will SOW tares among
our sheaves of wheat. We live in times that
call for wisdom in contemplation, and virtue
in action; but in which virtue and wisdom
will not do without resolution"