Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-13
LEDGER.
DIR. ROsGs' vINDIeATION OF
THE SOUTH.

since the close OF he war between tue
States. Long enough. it. seems, for
men at least for those that have grown
up since that war, TO dispassionately
consider and judge Of its origin. Es-
pecially should our Southern youth
instruct themselves in this respect
Unthinking people and senseless
fanatics denounce their fathers as
rebels and the wal between the States
as a rebellion on the part Of the South
against the lawful authority of the
United States-against the Oonstitu
ton Of our revolutionary fathers.
if it is a fact that the history Of
the Colonies and the Confederation
and the adoption Of the Federal Con
stitution, together with the Constitu-
tional history Of our country up to
1850, demonstrate the right Of seces-
sion, or revolution-both, this should
be known and understood. If it is
asked why, the answer is that truth
demands it, and the blood shed on
both sides ofthas war crieth aloud from
thousand battlefelds for vindication.
Who fought for the Constitution Of
u fathers, and who against it? is
question that every man ought to
answer, and every Southern man
should be able to give ample reason for
the faith that is in him. The war did
not answer that question, and though,
no doubt in the end, might prove in
deed, has already proved a great bless
ing in many respects, yet the response.
bility Of it should be fixed where it
belongs, and will be in the minds Of
all thinking and reading men, sooner
or later. That good may zone out Of
q great crime, or a great evil, is only
to say that God rules the destinies
Of nations and of men. The South
has no fears Of the ultimate verdict Of
history, on its course from the foun-
dation Of the Government to the
present time but her own sons should
satisfy themselves on all Of the ques-
tions leading TO the war. This they
owe to themselves and to the memory
of the brave men who fought and fell
in the strife. Since the war two
books have been written on the sub.
iect-''The War Between the States
by the ex-ViOe. PresideSt of the Con
fedsracy A. H. Stephens, and "Th'
Rise and Fall of the Confederacy,
by its ex-President, Jefferson Davis
These both contain unanswered ant
irrefutable arguments 10 favor of thu
right Of secession, and a complete
vindication of the South, and demon
strate that the war, on the part of tn
South, was fought for the Constitu
ton, and on the part Of the Mort
against it. And if there was an.
rebellion in bat war, and any rebel
in it, our now Northern brother
we're the rebels, and the wal
on their part, the rebellion
For they rebelled against the Consti
tuition, while the South fought in ii
defense. But these books are to
large to be generally read in thi
rushing age. Men, especially bus
ness young men, do not take time
read them. Therefore, a shorter Al
gument was, until very recently,
much needed de%sideratum. Wess
until recently" for now it is SUI
Piled. It is the address Of Rev. Y
Z. Boggs, ID, recently d%eliverC
before the survivors of the Sout
Carolina Regiment, Of which he VI
chaplain during the war. 1t is ell
titled THE South INDICATED fro
the Charge Of Treason and Rebellion
1t can be had Of booksellers in th
city: 1t is a pamphlet of So page
and is a most admirable stateme
Of the argumsntin vindication Of I
South and her sons in the mel
orable four years from 1860 to Isl
It is most earnestly commended
all reading and thinking men, W
can in an hour get a full view of t
questions then really at issue. Til
and space will not permit a review
Mr.. Boggs' address, but it can be sa
to all who wish to know the truth,
a copy and read it, and you will
amply repaid. We call the attenti
Of the Memphis public to Mr.. Bog
address, not only on account Of
surprising excellence, but because
is SO favorsbly known here and
loved by a wide circle of friends of
classes and conditions. His her
conduct through two epidemics
yellow fever endeared him to all Me
phis, and his name is always p
nounced with admiration and 10
No one can read his address With
profound interest; and few wi
out instruction, and il is hol
that the young men especially '
read H. aud remember it through !
The memory Of brave men may Il
time be besmirched By irresponsi
s~landerers, and their fair fame and
cause for which they died be dimu
by the breath Of obloquy and dctr
ton, but time at last sets all thi
even" "and if we but wait the hour
and the enlightened Judgment Of
c~ountrymen, will set right the ca
Of the South in her four years struL
Tor separate government. and ct
munity independence and the "a
Of her neglected but uniorgotten dc
will live illustrious for all time