The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-08
Voice Of the People
Praise, wrhe Long non,

10 the Editor of The Times-Disnatcb
too nf ,Eirginia woman. the daugh-
meer, mas written a book which is
unanimously conceded 10 be the great .
Us, ana most accurate historical novel
War. " a bon,. dealing ia,g with the Civil
oontrinution to the literature per-
peluating the principles and ideals OF
Tue me con- moderate Cause. That II should
nave been written from a Southern
STANDPOINT. and should have received
such universal communication as .iThe
Long Roll" has received from every
~ no' III r.on 81 the United States. as we'll
us from England. is the strongest tes-
limony TO It's genuine worth and lit
erary ability In it's pages are set
i tvda oy , master hand the true atti-
uhd the causes which forced her from,
the Union: the atmosphere OF culture
r rsna1 rent and hospitality which per,
V yIusit tne private HE OF the people Of
relations existing between the white
ptople and the negroes on her plan
a ATOMS; the patriotism. devotion. cour-
age endurance and wonderful morlI
tone OF the Southern armies ms a
Mhole; the privation and suffering
yoluntarily borne. not only by the sol.
eom CONT. pGt by the ne s women and nom
roic devotion and high purpose which
supported them throughout the UNI
equal struggle
Sently been the subject of unworthy
criticism and censure among the peo-
PIE VINO should feel most gratitude
TO- TO- its author a few OF the crit. iisms
nave oeen made In kindly spirit and
with Que appreciation of the great
Nalue Of the work as a whole: but tho
, host salient fact presenting itself 10
the mind OF reader OF tho mott. rc
cent unfavorable comments which have
neen made public is that tho critics
nave not read The Long Roll" 1t is
rterSainly neither just. generous nor
right TO attempt TO pass judgment OF,
a book which one has not read. vnt
ms Is exactly what l been done in
fnrs case, Needless TO say. such untn-
credit upon the critics than upon the
novel or its author. There is some
thing iudicrous In the idea that some
OF the people who should most value
ticaly the only persons Who have not
Though to some individuals Miss
Jonnston's delineation of General
Jackson may not be entirely pIeasinp
and In harmony with their own con-
ception OF him. Vet this cannot i,npsir
.he historical accuracy OF the book,
and II is Uncomfortable that go careful
ano thorough student as the author
is known to be would have represent
60 Jackson other than as she found
grew her data. Certain IL Is that from
the moment Stonewall Jackson an
pears upon the scene in The Long
Roll until the hoursof his death. the
readers confidence n and admiration
Tor him increase, until he stands
figure OF colossal proportions endued
with almost superhuman strength
courage and endurance, a man of iln,
faitering devotion to duty, brilliant
genius, and, with all his iron strength.
intensely religious and having a ten
der and compassionate heart bcneath
a stern exterior. See him stop an
army on forced march and himself
supervise the search for the son Of
an old woman. who has presented
herself at country cross road with
q basket OF good things for her son
VINO she knows is somewhere in Jacls-
sons command, More than one read
or has been heard to say Il never
loved Jackson until ] learned TO know
MIN In The Long Roll
The book is too great for criticism
10 hurt II. Since It's publication II
has ranked as one OF the two best
sellers; II Is going TO live and be read
and praised when its critics are long
dead; but is it not better for Vir-
Slnians TO show themselves capable
OF appreciating real service to the
Confederate Cause and a noble piece
OF literature written by Virginia
woman. than to continue searching for
minute and perhaps imaginary flaws
in The Epic of the civil War;
y LOVER OF BOOKS