Lee And His Cause Or the Why And the How of the War Between the States

SIX SONS Who have been faithfully taught the Truth of History, the Nature of our Government, and the Love of our Country in whom I trust to transmit these precious things to coming gener ations, as they may have the power, for their own sake, and for the honor of those, who at home, in council chambers, legislative halls, hospital wards, prison cells and on hard-fought fields, have taught and toiled, sorrowed and suffered, bled and died, to maintain and estab lish them. INTRODUCTORY The matter here presented to the reader was first given as a ff Memorial Day Address, before Confederate Veteran Camps, and Chap ters of the Daughters of the Confederacy, in several cities and towns. Its original use has modified its final form whilst to embody more of historic fact, and so enhance the permanent value, its limits have been largely expanded. There are many and worthy Lives of Lee, and some excellent Histories of the United States, and still more abundant Sketches of Battles and Minor Engagements, with almost innumerable Narratives of Generals, and of Commands and Campaigns. Many of these are large and expensive, too heavy for handling and too costly for wide circulation, and their readers are correspondingly few and well to do. This is quite unlike any of those. We have also able and elaborate discussions of the Federal Constitution, with their ample deductions learn edly and long drawn out but little read and 8 Introduction less understood. This is not at all like those. It is as simple, I hope, as short, and makes for truth as much as it lacks of beauty. We have many other books some of them, like the down-easters razors, made to sell and therefore to suit all sorts of readers all the world over. I am not concerned that this little book shall please everybody. It was made to vindicate but one side. The only important question is, Does it do so My ambition is to state facts, not to get money. I cheerfully leave conclusions to my readers. They may strike, if they will but hear me The historical items recorded here are more or less involved in the solution of questions which have arisen as to the nght fulness of secession the origin and conduct of its cause the character, motives and sentiments of the people who espoused and defended it, as well as of those who forced them to fields of blood. I thought to give these facts in form so cheap, and style so terse, as to bring them within the means and times of our busy men and women. I have tried to condense and yet comprehend to be clear, yet not too dear for the common peoples purse. Introduction 9 History, as written, if accepted in future years, will consign the South to infamy, says Honorable J. L. M. Curry. The truth, the only antidote for the poison of falsehood, should be set to work at once, or the evil effects will be come incurable. No time is to be lost. Soon the cemetery will hold us all. What shall be then thought of our cause and conduct will de pend upon what we leave in the books of our era. Books live on. They should not misrepre sent us or our dead. But think of the stream pouring from the press, a stream so strong and so full of ignorance of us, and of prejudice against us think of the political interests, and sectional ... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.