Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-12
Hiding the Truths of History.
Baltimore SUM-

lBdlliilOIc DuH.J
Although the war has long been over
and the spirit OF sectionalism is, happily,
dying out, the battle Of the bookmen and
the historians over the facts Of that great
struggle has apparently only begun, and
promises to last many years longer than
the momentous conflict itself. in such
contest facts will prove even moro stub
born than bayonets, and II will be found
that 1t is one thing to triumph over an
enemy by military force and another
thing to triumph over truth even by the
aid of the readiest writers. Providence,
said Napoleon, is on the side OF the
heaviest battalions, and many partisans
appear to think that history should be,
too. But history, like Providence, vindi-
Gates itself in the end, and though 1t may
sometimes require generations to enable
1t to throw off the spurious things with
which it has been loaded and to present
the truth clearly and impartially II will
always ultimately tell the story Of the
nations without fear. favor, or discrimi-
nation. The Grand Army OF the Republic,
at its recent reunion at Buffalo, expressed
its dissatisfaction with the histories OF
the civil war used in many Of the South
kern States, and urged that steps should
be taken TO have other and better text
books substituted for them The Grand
Army has perfect right to make this
criticism, and the Southern States have
just as clear rigat to continue using
the books to which the Grand-Army men
object. But the later might as well I'M
derstand now as later that material con-
quest is one thing and intellectual con-
quest quite another The mere fact that
they wish the history Of the war to be
wrifta1 In eilch aud sirch WaU will NOT
affect the manner in which the facts will
finally be set down. Possibly, 1t would
be much pleasaEter to some Of them to
have the narrative present only rose
coored pictures OF Federal courage pa
triousm, sef-sacrifce, and victory and
to portray In the darkest colors the
wlckedness and military inferiority OF
the southern rebels. But. except In those
histories which are manufactured TO order
by specially instructed Historians" they
will be denied this pleasure, for many of
the leading historical writer's, even of
northern birth, have already been so
weak as to be influenced by truth, con-
science, and an impartial spirit of justice
in their work on this subject. As for
southern writers, they will doubtless con-
tinue TO maintain their own views, and
southern people to teach them to their
children, probably thinking that as long
as they assist In paying pensions TO Fede-
raj veterans they should at least have
the satisfaction Of free thought and free
speech on purely historical subjects. True
patriots can have no reason TO fear the
outcome of this struggle for the truth.
1t may be perverted for a time, but II
cannot be suppressed forever. and only
narrow and partisan minds viii Join in
the vain effort to subsidize history and
make IL the official organ Of any particu-
lar section or party.
In connection with this general subject
there Is current phrase which is often
falsely applied to military operations.
and, like charity, made to cover a multi
tude OF errors. '1t was worth all that IT
cost is O. favorite and misleading state
ment used by partial biographers ana
historical writer's to explain or express
the reckless waste of life and money In
accomplishing some great military object.
This Is the phrase used frequently by
General Grants admirers in summing up
the results of his campaign against Rich
mond. No one Is disposed to belittle
General Grants achievements or his mill
tary genius, but, considerable as they
were, they do not place him beyond criti-
cism. Like all commanders of ancient
and modern times. he made mistakes, and
II is question whether his plan Of cam