New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-14

the Southern cause was already crumbling
II realized by the most astute men in power
that the surrender of slavery was the only basis
on which foreign powers could be brought to
show an active sympathy with the Confederacy
The seizure of cotton by the government with
which to purchase ships was also recognized to
be necessary. When Duncan F. Kenner was
sent a commissioner to treat with European
governments for recognition and with European
capitalists for funds, armed with these two new
weapons, there was very little left of strict
construction Of the Confederate constitution
but It was the last chance. The mission was to
be kept secret, for the new plans were "domes-
tic dynamite and 1t was considered necessary
TO guard against exposure till success had been
reached in the negotiations. Kenner had no
more success than his predecessors in England
and the Confederacy fell after his arrival
The Confederate foreign negotiators accom-
plished little but they worked under great dis
advantage. Mr. Davis's policy was at least
honest. whatever else may be said of it. He
would not promise TO gain the ends he sought
by what he knew he could not perform: and Mr.
Callahan quotes Just the words Of a prom
inent Confederate, recently spoken: IF he had
been less honest might have succeeded in our
efforts"
DR.. Curry's book is more than what its title
page WONlO indicate. 1T is a presentation of the
case of the Confederacy from the Confederate
point OF view argument In its behalf and
indeed. third Of the book is included under the
heading Legal Justification of the South in
Secession" It written In response to reso-
buttons passed by the United Confederate Vet
Grams. and its claims to being history must be
considered only in view of these facts DR.
Curry is one of two surviving members OF the
Provisional Congress that first organized the
Confederate Government and he is filed with
the conviction of the justice of the Southern
cause: Of the fragrant violation by the North Of
the compact of union; Of the notification of
the constitution and Federal laws by the North
ern State legislatures; OF the inequality and in
justice of the position in which the South found
herself in 1860. Liberty and independence not
slavery were what the South fighting for
and DR.. Curry lets no occasion pass to enforce
this view. Indeed he feels compelled to speal,
OF slavery. when he speaks of it directly. with
a certain apologize tone to his twentieth CEN
fury readers:
Such a complete and radical transformation
has occurred in our constitution, in laws in
social institutions in organized labor in party
shibboleths, in schools, in public opinion in
literature, that one might we'll strive to
transport himself to the antediluvian period as
to assume the thoughts and sympathies and
manners of the period of 1860. Neither
constitution nor law nor the practice of CEN
turtles can be appealed to in support of what
present opinion approves. . 1t is obvious
that justice be done to the people of the
South If the acts of 1S61-'65 are to be inter
preted by the standard of 1900.
The provisional Confederate Congress met al
Montgomery on February 4. 1861 with an OBJ
ject at once pacific and protective. Each mem
Der was statesman of ability, courage and in
sight; their acts and those of the government
they established were of invariable wisdom; the
cooperation and harmony Of all the officials and
the people of the Confederacy were at all times
perfect and disinterested. A history" written
in this tone need not detan any serious student
long. DR.. Currys examination of the Confed-
crate constitution and of the changes from
the Federal constitution that were introduced
into 1t is more suggestive. Unfortunately his
discussion of this and of some other matters is
sometimes unduly tinged with the prejudices of
present day partisanship. He is sure however.
that the Confederate constitution, when preiu
dices shall have subsidized. will be regarded as a
great American contribution to the science of
government. He freely comedies, however that
secession and slavery have been settled I'M
alteraby against the contention of the South
and that the cessation of African slavery is
fortunate. and rests on universal consent and
approval.