Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-02
Lac cAsIls-THuNoeR DOC.
The True story Of Nero" Who Was Mis-
called Hero.
(For tho Dispatch. ]

Thomas Carlyle rather happily defines
history az "a distillatlon of rumOrs."
One man relates story, another repeats
IL. and a third sets IL down. If false, those
who know il TO be so will usually deem it
not worth the contradietIng, and so IT
goes on record, gathering sanction with
the lapse of time. ana finally becoming
authority.
But modern history Is matter OF de-
scription rather than of record. IL is the
lavish dabbing on of lurid pigments that
tells the story. Tangible verities are
overslauched. figures are subordinated,
deeds are shorn of their significance. and
the cold outline of fact loses even it's
form when fused by the glowing warmth
Of picturesque coiorIng. Thus in "a semi
official history Of the Army OF the Potomac
published at the national capital last week
much is sand, and Justly, of the soldierly
qualities of that army. Yet the historian
deems IL proper, when speaking of Stone
wall jackson, to describe that general as
a crank" who usually saved his credit
"by the use Of his legs rather than by
fighting"
Ii is true that the salient facts of the
Valley campaign and Second Manassas are
actually set down, and 80 set down that
careful military reader would class Stone
wallis achievements somewhat higher than
those of Marlborough or Frederick the
Great, and easily entitled 70 rank with the
most brilliant features Of Napoleon's first
Italian campaign; and yet to an average
reader the general effect is TO belittle
jackson both as a soldier and man, while
his defeated adversaries are extrayagantly
exalted.
Throughout the whole range of northern
literature the central principles of the
Confederacy are Systematically suppressed
or ignored, and the vital facts OF her his
tory are obscured and distorted by
myriads of false lights. by the influence of
catch phrases, by opprobious names, by
trivial ialsehOOds unexpOsed and unre-
buked; for men reason through their pas
sions, and are convinced less by what they
know than by what they feel.
Here, for instance, is picture of
Hero Hero was the Siberian blood
hound imported 10y the rebels" 10 run
down and devOur the devoted defenders OF
the republic. For years he was exhibited
in the northern States, his enterpTlslng
captor gathering tribute from the loyal
multitudes, who found o gnastly fasclna-
ton in gazing on his deadly fangs, and
who burdened the air with their waillngs
over the unhappy fate of those who had
found sepulchre in his abysmal throat.
In the course OF nature poor Hero died,
and that might well have been the last of
him. But no. He now finds apotheosis III
gruesome image still sweeps over the
brooding land, stimulating anew the
righteous wrath of all true patriots against
the atrocious barbarity of the nations foes.
1t really seems a pity TO touch tins ro-
mantle story, for romance Is SO liable 10
be spoiled IN the handling. And yet the
facts are simply these:
The dogs baptismal name was not Hero,
hut Nero. He was not a Siberian blood
l. hue h0ngQ-d doc
Neither was he imported from Siberia by
the rebels" but was raised III the City of
Brotherly Love by Mr.. Rice, editor OF the
Ph,dde'phida, who presented the animal
to Mrs. Cussons, OF Glen Allen, in the au-
tumn of 1860. The dog was gentle and
eood-natured. but so formidable-looklng
that his new mistress sent HIM TO her
kinsman, the late John +. Alien, or klcn-
mond. who kept the dog for some time az
his tobacco factory. Nero was OF social
turn, and spent agood deal OF his leisure al
Castle Thunder, where he was residing
Wien the CITY tell into Federal hands, and
on their departure our friends IN blue took
the dog WITH them, he being deemed q law
full prize of war. After The tall OF the Con-
foderacy Mrs. Cussons passed some time
in New York and wAlle there saw man
in Federal uniform exhibiting Nero IN
Park Row. She called the dog by name.
and the poor captive wGs 50 demonstIatlye
in his joyful recognition that the exhibitor
stopped short in MS thrilling narrative and
moved away as rapidly as Nero would per-
NIT. .,
Bnt the story has gone on record and
will probably abide. Like the rumor-
created myth of Barbara Fretchle," 1t
mas taken a hold on the senstbllities of the
people. and. as the talented author OF that
touching poem naiyely observes. They
will hardly rellnquish 1t at this late day"
Is il not almost time for the appearance
Of a reasonably fair and candid history OF
the American people and their affairs