Northern and Southern nations.
The
Washington correspondent of the Charleston
Mercury says that
Cassius M. Clay, of
Kentucky, now in
Washington, is one of those men who believe what the boys in the
Northern schools and colleges are taught, namely, that the destiny of Southern nations is to be conquered and overrun by Northern races, just as the Germans overran the Romans, He said as much in conversation with
Elwood Fisher.
‘"Why,"’ replied
Fisher, in his quiet way, ‘ "I have read history very differently.
The civilized world has been conquered seven times--five times by Southern men, and twice by Northern.
The
Greeks, led on by
Alexander, were Southerners and slaveholders; so were the Romans, under Cæsar; so the Arabs, under Mahomet; the Spaniards, under Philip; and the
French, though not slaveholders, are Southerners.
I need not tell you what they did under the great
Napoleon, nor what position they hold at this day, under his nephew.
Have you forgotten how the Moors penetrated to
Vienna, and, but for the valor of John Sobieski, would have mastered all
Europe?
And do you forget that Roman legions, siding with the Germans, under Alario, conquered
Rome?
If history teaches anything, it teaches that a united South has always defied the world in arms, and never knew defeat till dissensions took place among themselves.
Finally, to bring the matter home, see what Southern men — Italians, commanded by
Garibaldi, and fighting for their liberty — are doing to the Austrians, Northern men. When you, gentlemen, talk of coercing the
South, you had better lay to heart lessons taught by historians who are not Yankees."’
Clay was completely non- plussed — used up.
