Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/582

 576 Southern Historical Society Fapers.

The publishers "have done their part of the work admirably, and the book will, no doubt, continue for some time to come to have a wide sale.

THE SOUTHERN BIVOUAC, published at Louisville, seems to be flour- ishing, and is publishing many articles of great interest and decided historic value.

The December number begins a series of papers by Judge Hines, which give a full history of the secret movement in the Northwest to liberate Con- federate prisoners, and encourage and help "the peace party."

THE CENTURY continues its war papers, some of which are very valu- able, along with a good deal of trash. We would commend these papers much more strongly if the editors had not shown such an evident disposition to publish, without question, whatever any so called " Confederate "may have to say against our government and leaders, and such unmistakable reluctance to print corrections of their slanders. The most notable example of this was their publication of a paper on " T/ie A/adania," by one professing to have been on board, grossly slandering the gallant Semmes and his oflficers and crew. The fellow was promptly exposed, it was proven that no such man was ever on the Alabatna, and that his statements were false ; but up to this writing the Century has not given its readers the benefit of this proof. Recently, however, this veracious writer of " history " has been proven to be a man of many aliases — a forger, a swindler, and fraud generally, and is now on trial for his crimes. Surely the Century will now acknowl- edge its injustice to Semmes in allowing this fellow to write the story of " The Alabama."

Confederates who will criticise adversely their leaders and disparage their comrades seem to be prime favorites with the Century.

"BARNES'S BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES" has. gotten into unexpected trouble. In its zealous efforts to so " sugar-coat the pill " that gullible School Boards at the South would the more easily swallow as ^^ National" their grossly partisan history, the publishers have brought upon themselves the ciiarge of making a " Rebel Book," and are under the necessity of making an elaborate defence (which some friend has sent us), and of proving that their book is not " Rebel," but " trooly toil." If they will call on us we will give them a certificate to that effect. Moreover, we will certify to all Southern .School Boards that Barnes, the "Eclectic" (which tiie Virginia .State Board has very properly kicked out of the Public Schools of Virginia), and books of that ilk, are not fit to be used in our schools, and should never be put in the hands of the children of " the men who wore the Gray." I^et our children be taught the truth., and learn to take as their hertzes not Lincoln, and Grant, and Sherman, and .Sheridan, but Davis, and Lee, and Sidney Johnston, and " Stonewall " Jackson, and Stuart, and A. P. Hill, and the ragged veterans who followed them to an immortality of fame.