Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/12

iv On the important questions, political and otherwise, respecting which our countrymen always have been, and most likely will be, divided in sentiment, I have tried to give the views of both sides, and, as far as possible, in the language of the advocates of the two sides, believing that this is the only fair and candid mode of dealing with controverted topics. I have also given clear and precise references to the standard authorities on both sides of contested questions, besides quoting quite largely from official documents and papers; so that the reader who chooses to examine more at large any topic for himself, can do so, to the fullest extent that he may desire.

The various authorities on which I have relied are accurately noted throughout the volumes. I have used these authorities freely, but not servilely. I have drawn from all sources whatever seemed to me valuable and important for the purpose which I had in view; and I have taken especial care to preserve the just chronological, order and sequences of public events. In the main features of the narrative, I have followed the consensus of such writers as Marshall, Ramsay, Pitkin, Grahame, Bancroft, Irving, Duyckinck, and the like; at the same time, I have not hesitated to form and express an independent opinion, where there seemed to be occasion for it; and I have sought to correct, or modify, or enlarge, in several respects, where the special contributions to our history afforded the means and called for such a course. I dare not claim exemption from errors of statement or opinion in the course of my work; but after a careful revision, I hope that the errors, if any, are few and far between, and that there are none of material consequence to the value and integrity of the history.

During our country's severe, almost agonizing trial, arising out of the rebellion in the South, I felt it a duty, as one of the many personally interested in the result, carefully to watch the progress of events, and to take note of the struggle of law and order against the revolutionizing efforts and destructive tendencies of those who desired to see the Union rent in pieces and shorn of its strength. And though it must be confessed, that, like every other writer similarly situate, I am placed at rather a disadvantage, by living contemporaneously with the Great Rebellion of 1861, and by having a vast amount of material, in the way of official documents, current narratives,