E. Porter Alexander

[Barrycdog]

"As to the causes of the war, it will, of course be understood that every Confederate repudiates all accusations of treason or rebellion in the war, and even of fighting to preserve the institution of slavery. The effort of the enemy to destroy it without compensation was practical robbery, which, of course, we resisted. The unanimity and the desperation of our resistance-even to the refusal of Lincoln's suggested compensation at Fortress Monroe, after the destruction had already occurred-clearly show our struggle to have been for that right of self-government which the Englishmen has claimed, and fought for, as for nothing else, since the days of King John.

It has taken many years for these truths to gain acceptance against the prejudices left by the war, even though it has been notorious from the first that no legal accusation could be brought against any one, even Mr. Davis. With the adoption of this view by leading English authorities, not to mention distinguished Northern and Republican authors, the South may be content to leave all such questions to the final verdict of history, admitting itself to close to the event to claim impartiality."

Edward Porter Alexander

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