The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-18
War Unnecessary.
By Augustine Jones in American Advocate Of
Penrc.

/ 6H Augustine Jones IN american AQCOCQIE "
Peace.
Most of us are inclined to take q
kindly and charitable view of the last
war in the United States. We rejoice
in what we conceive to be its results,
such as the destruction Of slavery, the
preservation of the unity and integri-
ty Of the nation, and possibly of cor
stitutional liberty in the earth. But
we seldom Measure the real cost of the
means used. We lost six hundred
and fifty-six thousands of men, or
about one-sixth as many as there
were slaves, and three billions and
seven hundred millions of dollars.
not including the loss of the labor and
industry of the vast armies, North and
South, during the four years of
war.
The valuation set on the slaves, at
the request of Abraham Lincoln in
1862, by members of Congress from
the border States, was three hundred
dollars each, and assuming their num-
Der at four millions, which is an over
estimate, the value of all the slaves in
the United States was n billion and
two hundred millions of dollars, or
less than onc-third Of the money cost
of the war.
But it is questionable whether the
loss of men and money was our great
est detriment. The subtle moral evil
which pervades society and invades
every household, and is clearly trace
able to this source; the record of in
creasiDg crime which blackans the
journals of the land, and takes its date
and beginning from 1852; the fever
ish war spirit which survives in mill
tary organizations and the minds Of
men, producing an imminent tenden-
cy to war, which did not previously
exist; the sectional hatred between the
North and South, o~utlasting genera
tons : the contention and bitterness
of conflicts between races and be-
tween castles, makes an accumulation,
a sum total of evil, beyond calcula-
ton.
The citizens of the whole country
had participated in the proceeds and
results of slavery, aud there was an
element of justice in their sharing in
the loss. Waving the question of the
title or right of property of the elave-
holders, and remembering that conn
promise must be made where inter-
ests conflict, even in the construction
Of governments, and for q stronger
reason In incidental matters, we reach
the conclusion that compensated
emancipation was the only wise and
proper mode Of ending the controver-
sy. 1t is true that the shareholders
would not sell, and we would not
buy /; but what either did do, or would
do, is not the question. It Is rather
what both ought to have done. III
both sides were proud, passionate and
perverse, and for those reasons missed
the true way of adjustment, then their
mistake ought to be held up to the
deliberate judgment of mankind for
ever, as a beacon and q warning. The
experience acquired should benceforth
have its full effect in human affairs.
1t was largely a struggle for the free
dom Of others, and not for our own.
If it might have been avoided, then it
furnishes q strong foundation for be-
lieving. that war is an unnecessary
evil.
Abraham Lincoln, wise and far-see-
ing, blessed with special opportunities
for clear and distinct views of the is
sue, and q true understanding of af-
fairs, gave the weight of his great
name and judgment to compensated
emancipation in 1882. He was over
borne by the passions of men, and the
din of a But subsequent events
have vindicated his wisdom. Our
risk was great; we approached much
nearer to financial exhaustion than
was then publicly known.
1t was a unique war. Slavery was
the cause. But Slavery itself was a.
fruit of war, beginning with the cap
ture in Africa, continuing through the
middle passage, and the cruel bondage
in America. 1t began, went on, and
ended in violence, and produced vio-
lent men.
1t has now ceased in nearly every
Christian land; it remains for war, its
twin relic of barbarism," to follow,
and for every sincere Christian to has
ten its departure.