The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-18
War Unnecessary.
BIZ Augustine Jones in american Adrocofe o.
Peace.

Blu Augustine Jones in american Adrocufe Of
Peace.
Most of us are inclined to take
kindly and charitable view of the las
war in the United States. We rejoice
in what we conceive to he its results,
such as the destruction of slavery, the
preservation of the unity and integri-
ty of the nation, and possibly OF con-
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
We're 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
val.
The valuation sci on the slaves, at
the request of Abraham Lincoln in
1852, 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 one billion and
two hundred millions of dollars, or
less than one-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
creasing crime which blackens the
Journals of the land, and takes its date
and beginning from 1862; the fever
ish war spirit which survives in mill
tary organization" 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, outlasting genera
tions: the contention and bitterness
Of conflicts between races and be-
tween castles, makes al accumulation,
q sum total of evil, beyond calcula-
ttion.
The citizens of the whole country
had participated in the proceeds and
results of slavery. and there was an
element of justice in their sharing in
the loss. Waving the question of the
title or right of property of the slave
holders, and remembering that com
promise must be made where inter-
ests conflict, even in the construction
of governments, and for a stronger
reason In incidental matters, we reach
the conclusion that compensated
emancipation was the only wise and
proper mode Of ending the controver-
sly. 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. 1t is rather
what both ought to have done. If
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 a warning. The
experience acquired should b~enceforth
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 a strong foundation for be-
]ieving 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 a true understanding of af-
fairs, gave the weight of his great
name and judgment to compensated
emancipation in 1862. He was over
borne by the passions Of men, and the
din of war. But subsequent events
have vindicated his wisdom. Our
risk was great; we approached much
carer 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 VIC
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.