Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. The Great War Of Secession. Any consideration of the causes which led to the War of Secession must be purely and entirely academic. The passions of the era have been allayed. A candid investigation of the causes which induced or of the conduct of either party to the contest, cannot affect either, or change the results. We can now judge calmly the influences which then either helped or hurt. We shall most certainly endeavor to present the facts truthfully and draw the inferences correctly. The character and action of history makers are public property and must bear the scrutiny of free criticism. It is sincerely hoped that all who read these pages will be like the wise men of one of the Rev. Mr. Wigglesworth's "Reflections." "Convince a wise man of his error and he will thank you; convince a fool and he will insult you," and remember that "the memory of an old man is a picture gallery of perished forms--a map of the world, not as it is, but as it was long ago." The Author is an old man, and the "picture gallery" of his memory is replete with events as they happened in his early manhood, and not as the World now pictures them. Furthermore, when the Author says the North and South did so and so he intends merely to state what he believes to be facts as he saw or knew them, and gives no opinion either as to their morality or their legality. Even when he believes grievous wrong was done to the one side or to the other, he will endeavor to so fairly state the absolute facts, free from prejudice, as not to give even an indication of his feelings. The Author has many of the faults of humanity, and realizes that he does not always do as he should or as he wishes to do, and if any acrimonious criticism should unintentionally creep in, ...
