Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/166

162 serial volumes of the Southern Historical Society Papers: "Where the South got its Chemicals and Medicines," by Prof. J. W. Mallet, XXI; "Report of Gen. Josiah Gorgas, Ordnance Department," XXIX; "Progress of Medicine in the South," by Dr. Hunter McGuire, XVII; "Memoir of Gen. S. P. Moore," by Dr. Samuel E. Lewis, XXVIII; "Medical History of the C. S. Army and Navy," and "Roster of Medical Officers," by Dr. Joseph Jones, XX and XXII; "Southern Genius, How War Developed It," by Gen. M. C. Butler, XVI; "How the Confederates Changed Naval Warfare," by Gen. D. H. Maury; "Iron Clads and Torpedoes," XXII, and further as to torpedoes IV, V, VI, IX, X, XXII, XXXI; "Resources of the Confederacy in 1865," "Report of Gen. Isaac M. St. John," II, III, and "Contributions of the South to the Greatness of the American Nation," by Gen. C. A. Evans, XXIII.]—E.

Here, in grand old Maryland, this border State of the by-gone Confederacy, at a time when men of that war generation who fought on either side of a great and memorable conflict, meet with the sons of both in friendly conference, at a time and place where none can be stirred to animosities by recalling the subject, I present a paper relating to the drug trade and the drug conditions as they appeared during the war of 1861-65, especially as they existed in the Southern States.

Whatever may be the final verdict of mankind as to the justice of the cause for which the seceding states engaged in war with their kindred commonwealths, it must follow the recorded admission of the heroism and magnanimity of the Southern people in maintaining that brave struggle in arms against the proud and wealthier section of our common country; and just as sure as that now the old soldiers of the South and their sons, stand as ready to answer any call of our splendid Union of States against any and every foe, as the old soldiers of the North and their sons, just as sure are the hearts of all willing to still all sentiments in reference to the old conflict of arms, excepting such as spring from pride in the valor of those who wore the blue and those who wore the gray.

There are few American citizens, to-day, who would not rejoice if the bloody record, of that war, with its story of suffering and death, had no place in history. Would that we, as brother Americans, had never been compelled to witness any of the scenes or consequences of that sad conflict, and that our children should never have been called upon to turn the pages of its annals.