Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-23
WHAT FOUGHT FOR.
IMPORTANT HISTORICAL FACTS OUR
YOUTHS SHOULD KNOW.
/. The Rich Mans War and the Poor Mans
Fight "--Disposed of-whst Recon-
struction Has Done.
Written Tor tho pIspatchl

lNsNtu f'i eAn htfpheShl
Agonernl belief has been created by the
school histories and other writings that
tho war between tho States was for the
maintenance Of slavery on the part Of
the South and for tho emancipation Of
our slaves on the part Of the North.
That war was for separate nationality
on our side. and for the maintenance on
the part Of the North Of that union which
lad been the source Of its wealth and
power. In the words Of one Of then
statesmen, awe cannot afford to let you
Co."
For two generations the tariffhad been
binding up their workshops and facto'
rics at our expense, and separation from
us made utter financial ruin for them.
Early in the century northern States
had threatened 10 secede. The right OF
any State to secede was expressly re-
served and carefully guarded IN the
bond OF the Union.
The great NirginiaDs who had created
that bond had so framed the terms Of
the federation that in her discretion she
might withdraw the powers she had de-
logsted, and resume her sovereignty as 0
nation.
And in all Virginia's history no act Of
bers was more FREQ from sOrdid talnt,
more lawful. and more noble than her
hct of secession.
SolonR as there was any hope Of peace
her Union Convention upheld II. But tho
dav the purpose Of the Federal Govern
ucut was declared 20 strike at sister
State With al army moving across Nngl
uia'sterritOry that Union Convention be-
came a Secession Convention, unanimous
an lis declaration OF Independence. The
whole of her people confirmed the &C
ton OF that convention, and one hun
bred Virginia regiments sprang to arms.
Not one man Of them fought about
elayerv. They arose TO resist wrong and
for independence Of an unequal yoke.
Their leaders saw all that independence
meant.
II moant relief from q burdensomt
taxation. which for many years hac
robbed the South 10 build up the wealth
ana power VI AuN +NhA I'LL
II meant direct and free trade with
Europe aud the building up Of southern
commerce and southern seapOrts.
II meant prosperity all over Tho
South.
1t meant prospective and humane
emancipation Of our slaves, and the
transfer OF the wealth and power OF
America to these unhappy States still
struggling in this awful race conflict oul
defeat has forced upon us
While the leaders on both sides saw al
Of tins the rank and file OF the Confedc'
rate armies felt only the degradation OF
suhiection toan iusolcnt and cruel enemy
who had invaded Their country and de
Isolated their homes. They cared not fol
Ill. ulteuor objects Of the war they
found their cause good enough to AROUSE
all tho manhood in all who had any.
Gurth and Simple stood side by side
and shared alike the dangers and hard
ebips Of the common soldiers lot
While General Robert Il. Lee rode a
the head Of his army, his son, Robert L.
Lee trudged along as private IN
battery Of artillery, and many another
comrade rs well-born and nurtured as ne
were with him.
No army Was ever 30 proud rs tha
army Of Virginia. IL was made up o.
the fret young men who volunteered
for the war. such a personnel as haC
never before filed the ranks OF an army
At the first sound Of the war young
men from all States Of the South
lasteued 10 the battle-fields OF Virginia
where under that master OF the art o
war. Joseph Johnston, the great Army
Of Northern Virginia was organized ant
won It's first victories.
When he was shot down IN the crsi
Of great battle Lee succeeded TO 1T
command and guided ITS great career Il
to the very end
Its marches and its triumphs wor
amidst "A sympathizing people, proud o
their cause and its defenders, and faith
iul 90 the very end.
During the wear 1868 Mr.. Adams, the
Minister Of the United States to Eng
loud. informed President Lincoln thai
unless he proclaimed freedom TO the
slaves the Government OF Great britain
would acknowledge the independence o.
the Southern Confcderacy. Then LhncolI
issued his emancipation proclamation.
About the same time the Confederacy
enacted law under which oil men own
mg twenty negroes were exempted IRON
military duty
These two causes coming upon III
about the same time created great dis
satisfaction in the armies of the Con
feicmcy, especially IN the sparsely-set
tied regions of the cotton States.
There had been but little enthusiasm
for the Confederate cause in the people
Of the great piney regions aud the noun
tain ranges. This was especially marked
amongst the mountaineers OF East Ten
nessee, many of whom were actively hos
tile aud held large forces of our arm.
there IN an internecine war;
In the spring of 1868 General Archl'
Gracey, then commanding brigade abou
strawberry Plains. Tenn, reported II
person 10 the General commanding tn
DEPARTMENT that he had discovered tn
existence in his brigade OF secret organ
izntion, tho object of which was 20 breal
upthe Confederate armies and bringabou
peace; that an affiliated society existed Il
the Federal armies. The name OF tn
association was The Peace Society.
They had their secret signs and pass
words. 10y which they could recogniz
eaoh other, and were under solemn
pledges on receiving the sign of brother