The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-04

bore their part, and in a work of such
Dimensions. Il fuller history Of the war
might surely be interpolated.
The 1OJ pages devoted to the period
subsequent 10 the war almost cOmpeL-
safe for the deficiency just mentioned.
they contain a remarkably lucid account
OF period so full of confusion and dis
disorder that the historian may well
pause in despair before bis task. lie has
t0uthcd all its principal incidents with
great judgment and leaves only regret
th1t the scope of his work did not Afford
room for more detailed narrative The
history closes with on account oil the
preparations for the Worlds Fair TO be
held i'm Chicago. Illinois. in 1872 and
'93. SO that We may surely say 1t is up
to date.
THE TWO VITAL QUESTIONS.
There are twO vital questions 20 he
asked Of every American historlan-how
does ne stand on the question of FED
oral and State authority aud what are
his views regarding slavery: On the
first of these the work before MS Is ell
tirely in harmony with the sentiments
and principles OF true Southerner.
Surely the following extract ought 10
satisfy all demands made upon him IN
this matter:
Nfl1h1h lhhA0oN MN hhAA'1-'-'-AN-N'
"And. fpst. we must keep steadily in
mind that this war did not involve either
treason or rebellion on the part of the
South The writer's of books, pamphlets
AVID reviews who have called her
movemcut The Great Rebellion. and
have spoken of her people as traitors
and rebels. have shown ignorance and
prejudice united. The States that Sc
coded exercised a right Inherent III the
very nature and constitution OF the toy
eminent compact to which they were
parties. Some of them had expressly re-
served this right when they became par
Ties and their reservation had accrued
to tbe beueGi of all. Their acts of
secession were SiMply acts as soyerelgns
Uudoiug what they had previously done
~ sovcreigns The officers of the army
and navy who had been trained M the
Academy at West Point and the Naval
Academy at Annapolis exercised the
most sacred of rights when they lett
the service Of the United States on the
secession OF their own States and enter
cd the service Of the States IN which
! they were natives or residents. The
South had contributed more than her tull
share of all the expenses Of these instltu-
! tiops. and had paid for these Southern
/ officers more than the money cost OF
their military or naval education: and
had they remained with the North they
| would not only have been untrue to
! their real obligations of fealty, but they
would have been fighting directly or in
directly against those dearest 70 them"
sLAvERY.
! With regard to the second of these i'm
| pOrtant questions Mr.. HOwisons posi-
| ton will not meet with unanimous IN
dorsement. In his opinion, distinctly
avowed. slavery was an abomination in
| the sight Of God and the war was
cleansing Of fire ordained by God 70 re-
move it. Slavery Is to him the pivotal
! point on which our history turns. lie
! euumerates it amongst the causes Of the
| Revolution. but he is ever true 70 his
Southern blood in writing Of 1t, for be
states as reason for placing 1t In our
| list Of grievances against the mother
| country what many historians have for
| gotten TO mention:
"On the subject of negro slavery the
! facts OF history are all against the
mother country in her fixed policy to-
wards her colonies In America.
| 1t was in the Southern colonies that the
| first earnest protest and adverse legisla-
| ton against slavery began.
| Ii is no longer a question of historic
| doubt that all the Southern colonies pass
| ed repeated laws to discourage, and, If
| possible, to prevent entirely, the further
| Importation of negro slaves.
| Throughout the statute boks OF Mary
| land, Virginia and South Carolina these
| laws are cepiously scattered.
| We have seen that by the acts Of trus-
tees, under the original charter Of Geor-
| gia, slavery was forbidden.
| But it was really England who broke ii
| down. In 1850 South Car
DINA enacted restrictions on the importa-
| ton o. slaves and the increase of slavery.
| The English ministry rebuked her and
| nullifed her action. In 1861
Il proposition was introduced into the
| Legislature of Virginia to suppress the
| importation of slaves by prohibtory
tax. The enactment was car
ried by a majority of single vote; but
from England negative from the Crown
| promptly annulled IL.
I'm all this England alienated her colo
nies more and more, because it was evil
| dent that her policy was purely selfish
and money-seeking. Whfnever great
barriers of morals have stoc1 In her way
In seeking selfish gain. as In the case of
| importing negro slaves into North Amer
lea and opium into China, she has broken
these BARRIERS in the pursuit of money"
So does Mr.. HQwison vindicate his own
.pspnle from tha chGrxe Of having IN the