[029141] (Americana - Civil War - Confederate States of America - Mildred Lewis Rutherford). 1914 - 1925 Group of Publications By Miss Mildred Lewis Rutherford (1851 - 1928) Historian General United Daughters of the Confederacy, Anti-Suffragist, Ardent Advocate of the "Lost Cause" Version of Southern History. Athens, Georgia: Mildred Lewis Rutherford, 1914.

Mildred Lewis Rutherford (1851 – 1928) “…Rutherford was born in Athens into a wealthy patrician family with deep roots. Prior to the Civil War (1861-65), her father, Williams Rutherford, and her maternal uncles, Howell Cobb and Thomas R. R. Cobb, were among the state’s slave-owning elite. Rutherford attended the Lucy Cobb Institute, a finishing school for girls in Athens, and after graduating in 1868, she taught history and literature in Atlanta. In 1880 she returned to Athens and became the principal of the Lucy Cobb Institute…During a time of shifting gender roles, Rutherford harkened back to “Old South” ideals about a woman’s proper sphere. Although she defied conventional female behavior both by becoming a public speaker and by remaining unmarried throughout her life, she publicly advocated traditional societal roles for women. She joined the Georgia Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage in 1914 and remained a vocal opponent of woman suffrage…” (Anne E. Marshall in the New Georgia Encyclopedia)

Also -

 “…Two major themes dominated Rutherford’s career: commitment to the education of young women and devotion to the values and history of the Old South…Despite her long and intimate identification with the Lucy Cobb Institute, the driving force in Rutherford’s life was undoubtedly her devotion to the cause of the Old South, especially its cultural and political contributions to the life of the nation…an indefatigable pamphleteer and public speaker in defense of the southern cause…In both her writing and speaking, Rutherford’s arguments seldom varied. She maintained that, although the South produced a significant number of innovators in science, literature, and agriculture, the North refused to acknowledge the contributions of the region. The Civil War, she insisted, was a war of northern aggression rather than southern rebellion. Furthermore, she contended that the institution of slavery, rather than demoralizing blacks and whites alike, had produced obedient, contented black workers and a white leadership of great wisdom and skill, as the preponderance of southern presidents indicated…” (Carolyn Terry Bashaw in the ANB)

Group includes:

A bound volume for 1923: “…Realizing the time consumed in answering questions and giving statistics regarding the South, it is deemed wise to issue a monthly pamphlet containing such information. There will be 10 issues a year…” (from the Foreword regarding the publication)

The “Leading Topics for the Ten Volumes for 1923” (Vol. I of the series) were:

January – The Causes that led to the War between the States.

February – Was Secession Rebellion? Why not?

March – Formation of the Southern Confederacy.

April – Efforts for Peace. Why failure?

May – Who was Responsible for War?

June – Was Coercion Constitutional?

July – Army and Navy Organized – Leaders.

August – Woman’s Work in War.

September – Surgeons and Chaplains.

October – Battles fought and Leaders. The Surrender and Results. (with) A loose copy of this, edge-chipped, paper covers detached.

About 20 pages each + advertisement leaves.

In addition to these, the volume contains:

Truths of History…A fair, unbiased, impartial, unprejudiced and conscientious study of history. Object: To secure a Peaceful Settlement of the many Perplexing Questions now Causing Contention Between the North and the South. 114 pages., with extensive topical index and authority for the statements.

The South Must Have Her Rightful Place in History. 50 pages; index.

Address Delivered by Miss Mildred Lewis Rutherford Historian General United Daughters of the Confederacy Wrongs of History Righted. Savannah, Georgia Friday, Nov. 13, 1914. 34 pages; The McGregor Co., Printers, Athens, GA. List of references used as frontispiece. (with) A loose copy of this, edge-chipped, paper covers detached.

Facts and Figures vs. Myths and Misrepresentations Henry Wirz and the Andersonville Prison. 52 + (3) page index.

A Measuring Rod to Test Text Books, and Reference Books In Schools, Colleges and Libraries. (Prepared by MLR at the request of the United Confederate Veterans) 23 pages.

The volume approx. 6  ¾” x 9”; bound in  black cloth; leather title label gilt on spine (rubbed). Previous owner bookplate on front endpaper of Susie Graham Reeves. Some edge, tips wear and sun-fading to the boards; front inner hinge paper split, pamphlets securely sewn and volume sound. Contents clean and in very good condition.

Loose issues of further “Scrap Book” publications:

Vol. II, 1924:

January – The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Top cover detached, chipped.

June – Henry Wirz The True History of Andersonville Prison. Top cover chipped.

September – Text Books – The South’s Responsibility.

Vol. III, 1925:

January – The True History of the Jamestown Colony The True History of the Plymouth Rock Colony

September – The Leading Political Parties in the United States Principles and Platforms Outlined.

October – What Has the Negro Meant to the South? What Has the South Meant to the Negro?

(with)

Miss Rutherford’s Scrap Book The South’s Greatest Vindication. October, 1924. 46 + (2) pages; black and white illustrated throughout, explaining the importance of the Stone Mountain Memorial. Covers printed in colors & gilt; some edge-wear & soiling; very good.

A broadside printed one side, titled: (Editorial) The Lucy Cobb Endowment. Published by the Banner-Herald newspaper of Athens, GA calling for donors to the fund for this institution. Undated, circa 1920s; at this point, this exclusive school for girls had fallen upon difficult financial times and faced drops in enrollment; it closed in 1931. Approx. 6” x 10 ½” size; old fold line; in very good condition.

Advertisements for other publications and products are usually accompanied by a promotional editorial comment by Miss Rutherford, extolling the virtues of the products.

Generally in good to very good condition.