The Lost Cause. 235
sprang from the principle of self-preservation the mainspring of human conduct, innate in the soul. For many years a bitter contest of words had been waged between North and South, originating in conscience and sentiment, gathering force as it progressed, and quick- ened into fervid zeal by union with party efforts, until it culminated in party triumph in the election of a president on a platform of hos- tility to an overshadowing interest of Southern society. Then it was that apprehension of insecurity was aroused, and the momentous question arose : what should be done to secure safety and obtain protection to great interests, ramifying society and deemed to be seriously imperilled. The determination was to seek safety by with- drawing from a union, which it was thought was about to be made an engine for the destruction of our rights. There was nothing un- natural or unprecedented in this; there was no hostility to the people of the North ; there was no dissatisfaction with the Constitution, which had been left to us, as to them ; there was no objection to the union of the Constitution ; war was not desired nor sought by us, but was deprecated, and tried by every peaceful means to be averted. War resulted ; a long, a fierce and terrible war, waged by the United States for subjugation and by the Confederate States for existence. For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but finally victory was declared for the United States and the Confederate flag was furled forever, and in its folds were enclosed the hopes of millions who had proudly gazed upon its stars and bars and fondly hoped that it would wave forever, an emblem of the right of self-government the banner of a free people. No national standard was ever raised more justly nor rallied to by a nobler band of brave hearts ; no contest was ever maintained more gallantly ; choicer spirits were never sacrificed at any shrine ; fairer hands never toiled for any object ; sweeter voices never were heard in prayer for any effort ; purer hearts were never enlisted in any cause. But still it failed. Sacrifices and prayers and efforts were, all combined, insufficient to bring final victory to our standard. Splendid battles were fought and victories won all for naught as to the result. While recent history suggests to the thoughtful observer that the day is not distant, if not at hand, when even ardent votaries of the Union cause may well doubt if the sub- jugation of the South, with its consequences, was altogether beneficial to the cause of human progress and Republican government, the misrepresentations of current history are such that there is danger that the Confederate cause, so overwhelmingly just and defensible before the tribunal of truth and impartial history, will be so covered
