Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 10.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

The delegates proceeded on their mission, and stated the grounds of complaint. But the two-and-a-half tribes protested in the most solemn terms that their object was, in all respects, the very reverse of that imputed to them. Instead of meaning a separation, they had set up their altar as a monument to future ages of the connection between tribes separated by the river, so that if, at any time to come, their descendants should attempt to cast off the connection and assert their independence, or if the Israelites should hereafter attempt to disown their union, and declare that the people beyond the river had “no part in the Lord,” this monument might be pointed to in evidence of the fact. Hearing this explanation, the delegates expressed their approval and returned.

The application of this episode is easily made. The Southern Historical Society is anxious to set up a monument in the collection and preservation of all authentic documents, both official and unofficial, that bear on the fortunes and issues of that tremendous struggle by which “a house was divided against itself,” in order to furnish valuable materials to the impartial historian who may address himself to the task of writing a history “in which nothing is extenuated and naught set down in malice.” It is a monument which bears evidence to the strength of the Union. As a great result, the war has obliterated Mason's and Dixon's line from the map of the Republic. Let us hope and trust that henceforward no imaginary geographical line again be drawn to indicate a division of political sentiment; let us hope and trust that henceforward the only contention between the States be which shall excel the other in loyalty to the Constitution, attachment to the Union, and the zeal for establishing the fundamental rights of liberty.

The eloquent Rabbi was loudly applauded.