New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-06
PEACEFUL SECESSION.
A POLITICAL ROMANCE.
$50. Edited from the Original Manuscript.

a9. Edited from the Original Manuscript. BY
Edgar Henry 12mo PIP 498. Cassell & Co.
The supposed author of this book writes. in the
character of Grand Master Of the Order Of the South
Cross account Of the events which In the year
1889 resulted the peaceabe separation of the North
and South and the erection of the latter into indie
pendent republic. Tho working out OF this monstrous
change IS accomplished with considerable ingenuity.
The National vote in 1858 IS manipulated by tho
political leaders Of the Republican. Democratic and
Labor parties that deadlock In tho Electoral Col
lege results. and tho choice OF President Is thrown
into the House This puts the game in the hands Of
the South. which busters until the Sd of March, and
then by the concerted absence of oil the Southern
Representatives, paralyzes the Convention and pre-
vents election until the constitutional limit Of action
has expired Tho Secretary Of State is hastily sworn
in Chief Executive by the Northern members, but
the South refuses to admit the constitutonality Of
the proceeding; declares that the original compact
Of States has lapsed and follows this assertion by
announcing its intention to set up separate govern
ment.
Meantime the Northern States are in confusion
Much indignation is expressed at the Of tho
South and therc IS talk of coercion. But the pro-
jectors Of the coup detat have foreseen everything
formidable border difficulty, involving the Nor
mons. Mexicans and a number of turbulent Ameri
cans, has been made the for getting General
Sheridan and the greater part of the regular army
out OF the Az tho same momont tho great
capitalists and railroad kings have decided to give tho
Northern and Western people lesson for their lean
Ing toward anticapast legislation by suddenly stop
ping every wheel In the country and disabling every
telegraph line. This is done promptly and ef
feotuay that the North Is paralyzed Commune alton
and transportation have ceased together a given
hour and lest tho people should undertake to ad
minister the railroads and telegraph lines themselves
every locomotive, every telegraph instrument, every
hrid -honCe nd has haop
rendered useless by mutilation destruction In
these circumst Of action Is impraocable
and convention of States, carefully packed by the
conspirators, meets merely put record a feigned
debate, closing with full acceptance Of tho Southern
propositions.
Tho leading in this remarkable succession Of
events is Ryal owen, Georgian. whose father. a
Confederate general dying In the last battle Of the
of secession. beQueathed to his son political
testament urging him strongly to devote his life to
the accomplishment Of peaceful separation between
tho sections. There is thread Of narrative running
through the book, but the body OF the romance IS
political. and It embraces curious philosophy Of
sectonallsu. in which tho theory is maintained that
tho North and South represent distinct and wholly
incompatible civilizations The appearance OF such
q book In Presidential year might DO thought to
argue practical political purpose but what this
Is 1t Is by no means TO discover II In many
places strong Southern bias is shown. In others an
unexpected disposition to do justice to the North
pears. II in part the Republican party is sharp
ly attacked. In another the Democratic Adminstra-
ton is excoriated. Indeed. ono OF the most vigor
Gus OF the authors excursions takes the form OF n
savagely caustle analysis Of Mr.. Cleveland who is
moreover made to figure most ridiculously at tho
close Of the sory He represented az having been
completely hoodwinked by the conspirators who made
him believe that there was no doubt Of his final re-
election deusor no olinss to until the Secretary Of
State has been sworn ines his successor. whom no
leaves the White House and tho country in deep
dudgeon-
The following extracts will to show the
annus Of the author OF "'5on toward the President
Taking him all in all, he was perhaps the most
singular combination OF attributes that was ever
elevated TO the leadership OF any government Per
sonay, he had fow friends that they might almost
be counted on the fingers and even for these he had
no perccptible attachment after they ceased TO DO
contbutory TO his personal comfort and aggrandife-
ment. Politically, he seems TO have been the result
Of series OF accidents TO which no bore neither
intellectually nor morally any causstive relation 10