The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-22
IMPHRTIAL HISTORY OF TIE
WAR

ablest of the southern dailies have tax
en- part in discussing the need of a
truthful, honest, fair history of the
war Of our years between the north
and south. The opinion is general among
educated, informed people in this sec
ton of the union that it is full time
to put a stop to the writing and pub
fishing of sectional, unfair, lying school
histories, and that a work of thorough
ness, calm and impartial, should he
undertaken. The Messenger has often
referred to this important matter. The
false, lying histories started in the
north in full sweep by 1870, or earlier.
The latest attempt at deception and
misrepresentation, as suppression and
exaggeration, is the history written by
order by one, Professor McMaster, a
man of strong prejudices and intense
a~ntagOnism to the south and it's men
and interests. Years ago we showed
up some of the shortcomings and preju-
dices of his first volume Of his "HistOry
of the American People," a work in
poor imitation of Green's mastery one
volume History of the English Peo-
pie" and in style initiative of Mac
caulay at an immense distance. We
refer again to the matter of reliable,
faithful history of the great wal to
mention a recent conservative discus
sion by Mr.. Joel Chandler Harris, Of
Atlanta, C"Uncle Remus"), in The New
York Times's Saturday Review of
Books and Art" 1t is a we'll written,
forceful plea for impartial histories.
His plea is cogent, clear and calm. The
south only demands fairness and
truth-that is all. 1t will be satisfied
with nothing else. 1t wants the world
to have the plain facts, the exact truth,
after SO long waiting for them. 1t
will be content when the whole truth
is published. 1t fears nothing what
ever from the ampiest revealment. of
motives, policy, plans, principles and
actions. 1t is .neither ashamed of
it's record from first to last, nor afraid
hat a full revealment will be in any
way to it's discredit. But it prays to
be delivered from all such so-called
histories as JOnn bdCk NcNldSlor pre-
pares for the people of America.
The south has borne itself grandly
since 1865, under great temptations and
injustices. 1t is a part of the Ameri-
can union and it will do it's duty. 1t
protests against ISLANDERS, false state
ments, suspicious, injustice of every
kind. 1t has sought peace since the
confederate banner was furled in de-
feat. 1t loves the truth, appreciates
greatness every where, and has sought
to foster the true American spirit. But
it despises liars and defamers, partisan
bushWhackers and all birds of evil
omen. While it recognizes Lincoln's
real greatness, it does not estimate
some northern soldiers as they esti-
mate in the north, and particularly
Sheridan and Sherman.
AS The Messenger said some two
or three months ago, it does not now
who is the man to write that much
coveted and most important Impartial
history" of the great war and it's caus
es. 1t demands high historic gifts, if
the book is not to be Of the Dryasdust
type. 1t must be written after great
research, must be candid and just, clean
and pictorial. truthful and impartial
We know not the lar Mr.. Chandler
thinks he has found two American:
who can write the story. He write:
that they are Professor John Ffske, O.
Harvard, and Professor j. P. Gordy
of whom we never so much as heard
Professor Fiske is a writer of mucl
excellence, and his historical works ar,
highly valued. He is of New England
Could he be fair and kind to the soutl
in writing of the events since 1860
1t would be marvellous if he could, ar
we must doubt.
If we had to name the historian W,
would choose one OF two English his
torical writer's of superior abilities an,
remarkable fairness and candor-Mr
Lecky, and Right Hon.. James Bryce
We believe that either would hold tn
historical scales with vigorous ans
impartial hand.
In the south we do not know a man W,
would say could prepare an entirel,
Impartial history, however much o
a truth-lover he might be. If genuinel,
southern he might feel too much. i
a half and half southern writer-seek
ing favor and applause from tn
northern press M people, like Cabl
and Trent, and some other Jesse
lights-he you'd give US fable for his
tory and prejudice for candor Blu
there is great need of the history. M
Chambers article shows much of hope
l fulness and the view is widely opt
mistic. .-.-