244 CONFEDERATE PORTRAITS
however offensive. But it should be understood that these illustrations are not unique, but merely represent the general tone of Semmes's book, " Memoirs of Service Afloat during the War between the States." Even in the earlier, simpler diary of actual war days, a note is sounded that is far from agreeable. " If the historian perform his duty faithfully, posterity will be amazed at the wickedness and corruption of the Northern and Western people, and wdll wonder by what process such a depth of infamy was reached in so short a time. The secret lies here: The politicians had become political stockjobbers, and the seekers of wealth had become knaves and swindlers ; and into these classes may be divided nearly the whole Yankee population. Such is
- Plymouth Rock ' in our day, with its Beechers in the
pulpit and its Lincolns in the chair of Washington, its Sumners and Lovejoys in Congress, et id omne genus in
One expects this sort of abuse from irresponsible agitators, both North and South. One does not expect it from officers and gentlemen. But the language of Semmes's book is far worse. *' The pay of the Federal Consul at Maranham, was, I believe, at the time I visited the town, about twelve hundred dollars per annum. As was to be expected, a small man filled the small place. He was quite young, and with commendable Yankee thrift, was exercising, in the consular dwelling, the occu- pation of a dentist; the *old flag' flying over his files,
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