The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-31

s'The Brothers War" by John c. Reed. Little Brown & Co.,. October, 1905 . There really seems to be almost an un- Limited number of books written at the present time giving some individual point pf view of the late civil war. Yet beyond question this is eminently wise and prudent, since each author undoubtedly has some personal message or mission. |Few books in this field have been writ ten that bear the true value and signih- rance of "The Brothers War" just from the press and written by Hon. John C.. |Reed of Atlanta. who will be recalled as the author of American Law Studies and Conduct of Lawsuits" In this volume the author gives a dispassionate survey of the causes leading up to the cvil war While he writes from the standpoint of a southerner yet with the hmpartiality that might scarcely be ex- pected fifty years hence.
 In the authors preface, which is a knasterly presentment of the whole subject
 o be discussed, he first states what the bouth has to learn regarding the abolition bf slavery and southern nationalizations PThe cruel cotton tax and the effort to but southern whites under the negroes, natural outcome of the frenzied inter- sectional struggle of twenty-five years and the resulting terrible war" He also
 
 ion.
 The other side is fairly and unequiv- bcally stated, and Mir. Reed writes now here is what the north should learn: First, Slavery in America was the greatest benefit that any large part of the negro race ever received: and sudden and un- pualified emancipation was woe inex- bresssibe to nearly all the freedmen.
 The fifteenth amendment was q Etupendous blunder Second it is high
 time that the Ku Klux be understood.
 It mustered. not assassins, thugs hnd cutthroats, as has been often alleged, but the choicest southern manhood The huthor recalls with pride hls uwn part in the wonderful battles Of the war hgainst souch superior forces, etc. but hdds in conclusion of the sentence. "but | am prouder of my career in the ku Klnw I<lan. The part of it under my con- man rescued Oglethorpe county, Tn which the negroes had some thousand raajcr hty, at the presidential election of lS6s- |the very first opportunity-and held what had been the home of William F.. Craw- lord, George R. Gilmer and Joseph 1T. Pumpkin until permanent victory perched upon the banners of the white race in IGeorgia.'
 The author continues: q observe that the north begins in some sort the 'earn- ling of the two lessons above mentioned. |But now comes one which seems hard in- deed. Calhoun, Toomps, Davis af6 nc other pro-slavery leaders, ought to be Thoroughly studied and inipartinily esti- mated.- They were not as tators, TOT factionists, nor consprators Their con scientious faithfulness to cailfrF has .never been surpassed"
 In conclusion Mir. Reed writes "1 he foregoing summarizes the larEer obstacles which bar true sight of the south and the north Brothers who wore the gray with me, brothers who wore the blue against me I would have all of you freed from the delusons which still keep you from that perfect love which Webster, Lincoln and Stephens gave south and north alike.'
 The author is a close observer and he has studied history and economic cordi- tions thoroughly and throughou, every line of the book he writes with q forceful- ness of freedom from bias or prejudice which ever strives to make each section fully recognize that the other was con scientious, patriotic and lovable in the extreme. The chapter upon. Webster. Uncle Toms Cabin. Calhoun and Tponibs are relevant and important parts of the work <s tlae author writes in his "oitne: q am greatly in earnest to wind cate these leaders-especally Calhoun, Toomhs and Davis Much of tine public life of each one was concerned with matters of national interest l want my northern readers to know what true Americans |they all were''
 Fox Duffield & Co will publish in Jan |uary.se rw novel by Keith Boyce fMrs. |Iy. .acllinSf IIapgood), called "Thc Etefnal spring" Mrs. Hapgoods first novel. ~rie |Forerunner.' was pronouncei 'v sccie |cs mora of authoritative critics to be one