Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 1.

“ [261] years ago.¹ . . . In the conflict, thus far, success has been, on our side, complete throughout the length and breadth of the Confederate States. It is upon this, as I have stated, our actual fabric is firmly planted; and I cannot permit myself to doubt the ultimate success of a full recognition of this principle throughout the civilized and enlightened world.” After reiterating the assurance that Slavery was the special, strong, and commendable foundation of the new “government,” he blasphemously used the substance of the words which the Apostle applied to Christ, saying:--“This stone, which was rejected by the first builders, ‘is become the chief stone of the corner’ in our new edifice.”

By these frank avowals of one of the chief men in the Confederacy, that Slavery was the corner-stone of their government, so called — that it was founded upon the principle that a superior race has a divine right to enslave an inferior race — that its ethics were those of the savage, who insists that “Might makes right;” and the explicit avowal of the chief leader, that “all who oppose us shall smell Southern powder and feel Southern steel,” ² mankind were plainly notified that an outlaw against the principles of Christianity, of Civilization, and of the Age was abroad, heavily mailed in political and social prejudices, brandishing a gleaming dagger, poison-tipped, and defying the authority of God and Man. How that outlaw was sheltered, and fed, and caressed, and strengthened, until more than half a million of precious lives had been sacrificed by his “steel,” we shall observe hereafter.

Tail-piece — outlaw.