Save self-respect and manhood all was lost.

Clasping its memories to its bosom the South sank helpless amid the wreck of its fortunes, whilst the North, the benign influence of the great Lincoln withdrawn, proceeded to decide its fate.

To this ghastly end had come slavery and secession, and all the pomp, pride and circumstance of the Confederacy.

To this bitter end had come the soldiership of Lee and Jackson and Johnston and the myriads of brave men who followed them.
The single Constitutional barrier that had stood between the people of the stricken section and political extinction was about to be removed by the exit of Andrew Johnson from the White House.

In his place a man of blood and iron--for such was the estimate at that time placed upon Grant--had been elected President.