The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-05-04


federate reunion in Atlanta regard the
war with Spain as very small affair
when they compare it with that tre-
mendous conflict which ragged between
the States generation ago.
An old-timer who remembers the
conditions prevailing here during the
sixties cannot fail to be amused and
surprised when he hears the talk OF
the younger men who are now discuss
ing the situation.
Ia our civil war the South was the
invaded section. During her heroic
struggle of four years she was not able
to muster more than 650,O0O men to
face the 5000, 600 foemen who assailed
her from every quarter. Our terri
tory was overrun, our ports were
blockaded and our soldiers and people,
without resources and credit, were
starved into submission.
All that time the rich and progress
siye North enjoyed her most prosper
Gus days. She had credit, home re-
sources, all the world to draw upon
for recruits, and there was no danger
of a destructive invasion.
So the Northern people fattened
upon the war. Their currency was In
hated; commerce and industry -four
ished; the great West was built up;
there was work for everybody, and the
masses had more money, more COM
forts and luxuries than they ever had
before.
Their prosperity was so great that
thousands Of contractors and manu-
facturers wanted to prolong the con-
aict. They saw the bright side OF
war, and they exerted themselves to
delay the return of peace. Their lob
byists tampered with the federal Con
gress and courted the favor of high
officials.
The whole North was drunk with
excitement. People ceased to hoard
monet, and extravaganza and display
became the the order Of the day. No
man, woman or child able to work or
willing to beg had any excuse for go
ing without employment, money and
the comforts Of life.
The majority of American million
aires date their rise from those turbu-
lent days.
It is natural that the Southern peo-
pie should dread war under any cir
cumstances, but there is no basis Of
fact for the apprehensions of some
timid and inexperienced persons who
seem determined to do more than their
share Of talking and writing.
In war with Spain, or any other
foreign country, the chances will be
altogether in our favor. The South.
in common with the entire Union, will
have little to fear from an invasion.
No foreign army can be transported
over the sea in sufficient numbers and
with an equipment that will enable it
to march through States and lay their
cities in ashes, after the fashion Of
Sherman. Possibly some Of our sea-
board towns may be bombarded, but
there will be no fighting in the interi-
or.
This country will be even more al
Yantagcously situated than the North
was during the civil war, while Spain
will be, SO far as her Cuban territory
is concerned, as unfortunately situated
as the South was from sixty-one to
sixty-fYe. The Spaniards have toll
erably strong navy, but they cannot
raise large armies, nor can they pre-
vent us from blockading the Cuban
ports. They have little money and
no credit, and they are menaced by
revolutions at home.
Should one or two European powers
side with Spain, the situation would
not be materially changed. Hostili-
ties would be prolonged, but we are
able to put 100000 men in the field
and build mightier fleets than the
world has ever seen.
Europe cannot afford to fight US.
She must have our products, and it
serves her best interests to remain at
peace with us.
The old Confederates who lived on
gunpowder and grit for four years
have no patience with the calamity
howlers Of the new generation, who
are trumping up.excuses for Sinking
their duty when ntheir rcountry calls
them to arms.