The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-23
POLITICIANS WAR.

sorry TO see that Mr.. Watterson, IN
A., To-, which was written by him for the
Atlanta Constitution in eulogy OF the charac-
.ar ~ ,bc late Henry w. Grady. 40 far over
Iooks the true facts Of history IA to permit
himself 10 refer TO the bloody contest between
the States as politicians war" This was
a Homeric nod in the great kentucky editor.
for he has shown too often and on too many
trying occasions his loyalty to the South 70
be suspected of a weak and cowardly Tuch-
ling TO the extreme Northern sentiment as to
the origin of the late strife. IT IS TO be re-
cretted however. that o man who IL consid-
cred in many respects to be leading anu
representative public man of the SOUTH
should allow himself TO use an expression
which only exhibits the grossest ignorance OF
conscious perversion OF history.
To describe the war between the States rs a
politicians' war. is Just as far from the truth
as 10 attribute its precipitation to the WORK OF
few political conspirators. III was lett 10 the
authors Of a cumbrous life OF Lincoln TO vent
their spleen against Davis and BrecKlnrloge
and Stephens and Hunter and the noble ISL
Of Southern statesmen who held Office at the
time the war began. by using that expression.
which reflected only discredit upon Hay and
Nicolay without serving in the least to dis-
parago the great names which these men
sought TO asperse.
The war was neither politicians war nor
conspirators' war. II was o war OF great prin-
ciples. of antagonistic ideas Of government, Of
opposing social and economic systems II was,
as Seward very Justly said, an irresistible con-
fict, a conflict not TO be eyaded and not to be
prevented. II was conflict of great sections,
diverse in interests and traditions and feel
ings and largely in blood
When the first gun was fred in the bonn
bardment Of Fort Sumter forces were ex-
ploded which had been gathering strength for
generations. IL was an elemental strife IN
which the figures of individuals. even when
invested with tho august majesty Of Lee or
the flaming glory Of n Jackson, sank into OBJ
security.
Study the origin of the influences that led
to the war. their subsequent Development
and expansion. like the cloud that hangs upon
the edge of the horizon. which gradually
spreads until il blackens with the darkness OF
night the whole face Of the sky, and the poll
ticians who represented the South in the pro
longed contest over slavery and the territorial
and States rights involved in the question,
seem. with the single exception Of Mr.. Cal
houn, to have been mere pemies great as
many Of them were. as compared with the
stupendous popular forces which controlled
and directed them.
Never vas there movement in history
which had more unanimous support from q
people than the movement in the South.
which resulted in secession. The insults en-
croachments and robberies Of forty years had
welded them into compact political body,
animated for all substantial purposes by one
sentiment. one feeling, one interest. To
speak, therefore. Of the war as politicians
war. so far as the South is concerned, is a flip
pancy unworthy Of any man who has the
slightest regard for his reputation.