Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-09-13

In connection with the above, we have
thought that short retrospective view OF
events transpiring in the more than fifty
years since the war closed would be in
place. We can see now without preiu
dice what we could not when the war
ended. We thought then all was lost.
DISTINGUISHED, soldiers stationed all over
the South, very poor in pocket, prospects
for the future were poor indeed. The
thought would come into our minds,
Were we wrong? Our conscience would
say no. II says so yet. We can now see
wherein Providence has led US, and can
say with Cowper, "God rules in myS-
terious way, His wonders wonders TO
perform" Northern States are as jealous
OF their rights as the South is. The gov
eminent and the Supreme Court recog-
nize it. Staies' rights were laughed at
when the war was over, but not now.
The South is more prosperous now
than ever in her history. Go through the
South and see her splendid cities. There
is more cotton cloth made in the South
today than anywhere else-and less
strikes. There is a oneness OF thought
and feeling that holds us together that
nothing can sunder, and prosperity and
contentment prevail.
Were we whipped &? No. Lee was
never driven from battlefield, and when
Lee went TO meet Grant TO confer about
the surrender, Longstreet said 10 Lee, "If
you cannot get the terms you want, come
back and we will fight it TO finish" 4"
Lee got his own terms.
The North and the South understand
each other better, and while il used 10 be
the fashion for some northern politician
in the Senate 10 berate the South, that is
now discredited by both parties and you
seldom hear it. Both sides are now
working hand in hand for the same prin-
cipleS, against autocratic power. If any
where, the directing Of national affairs is
in the South.
What brought on the war? Was it ne
gro slavery? No, but il was quickly made
use of as the war progressed. you had
told the northern soldier that he was
fighting to free the negro he would have
derided it. If you had told the southern
soldier that he was fighting 10 keep them
in slavery he would have denied if, and
with truth, for not one in ten owned one
Many OF the leading men were liberating
them, because, if for no other reason, it
was cheaper TO employ them than TO sup
port them. The South is doing her part
by them-iS educating them, giving them
work and teaching them industry. The
best friends the negro has on the globe.
are the whites in the South Then what
was the cause? An honest difference OF
opinion on the tariff. What was TO the
interest OF the North was not TO the inter
est OF the South. Each tried and strove
10 have the largest representation in Con-
gress, in order TO rule in this matter, and
from the beginning almost every Congress
would have difference on this subject.
We no longer hear OF the war OF the
rebellion, but the War Between the States.
This is as il should be-this incriminates
neither A friendly feeling exists between
the sections. The old soldiers on both
sides fraternize with each other, and now
genuine peace prevails throughout the
Union that makes us the strongest and
most powerful nation on earth.
J. NJ. II.