Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-22
HISTORY OF THE WAR.
A Suggestion to the Historical
Societies.

A Suggestion to the historical
Societies.
Editor Morning Ne1os. Your editorial
suggestion in regard TO the history of re-
construction is a wise and good one.
History repeats ITSELF" and it has been
called San accredited IIe," also ''philoso-
ply teaching by example," The first
saying is partly true, but not entirely,
since circumstances necessarily deter
mine the likeness. When written by par
tisan pens it is the worst kind OF lie,
being but half truth, and if the philOso-
pher wishes it to be ''teaching by exam
pie" be must take care to collect the facts
on both or all sides, that future writers
may be able to draw a picture within the
comprehension of the masses to be in-
struoted. This is peculiarly necessary
where an Intelligent people rule by uni
versal suffrage.
For example, the enemies OF popular
government doubt the permanence of our
North American republic, because the So
called republics of the old world, espe-
cially those of Italy, during the middle
ages, failed TO maintain themselves. But
these were really aristocracies, in which
a class ruled as In Florence, or oli0ar-
chies. where a few dominated with abso-
lutte power, as in Venice. In the fret the
people exercised very real and decided
influence, for they had arms and money.
In the second, money and arms were in
the hands OF the mobiles. and the masses
were ruled with rod Of iron, while the
Council of Ter and the Inquisitorial
Three protested paternal interest in the
people whom they kept down by the
sword OF the executioner, the dirk OF the
assassin and the superstitions OF the
church.
But times have changed, and we are
changed with them as to our external
conditions; but human nature remains
the came, and if men combined in classes
to secure the greatest good to themselves
then, they now unite for the same pur-
poses in corporations under constitutions
called charters. Originally parties in the
United States were formed on questions
OF public interest, and gradually as the
sections divided into producing and con-
Verting communities, Involving another
eleme in the transportation department
uniting the two, the struggle grew into
parties demanding on one eide protection
to American industry, on the other free
trade as far as was possible. with re-
venue upon duties on imported goods.
The Northern States, having rid them
selves or an Improbable negro slave pop
ulatiOn, desired to deprive the South OF a
strength Ia Congress derived from two
thirds representation OF the negroes Of the
planters, brought on the war of secession,
freed the negroes and then entrancbised
them in the hope OF using their votes
against their former masters. To effect
this, after the Confederate States LAID
down their arms, despOtism was es-
tablished throughout the conquered
territory, the Ike Of which
was never seen, except in
the case Of Venice aud the Polish people
under Russian bayonets. Nothing but
the vast extent of our country and the
consequent inability Of the Republican
party in power to suppress the spirit OF
liberty prevented the crushing OF the
whole white race Of the South under the
heel of tue negro and the "carpetbagger,"
as IL was and still measurably ia on the
sea islands Of Beaufort district, s. c.
The uncOnquerabie determination Of our
people saved us so far as To give us time
to recover little and open our deserted
lands to the occupation OF outside capt.
tai, aud TO unite with the Democracy of
the North in overthrOwing the self.
seeking, corrupt and tyrannical Re-
publican domination. This done,
and our shackles removed for
time, we should use our freedom to col
lect ali facts connected with the war, its
origin and it's consequences, and espe-
cially with the doings of the RECONSTRUCT
tion era. This can best be done through
the historical societies. Let them ask for
written accounts from all and every quar-
ter OF things, anecdotes and documents
connected with those troublous times, 10
the end that a true history may be pre-
served Of the wonderful reouperaiive
power OF people wounded 10 death by
the sword when left free TO take care of
themselves. Such history would be in
deed Liberty enlightening the world"
r. w H.