Posted on 10/31/2012 9:08:23 PM PDT by EveningStar
The Abraham Lincoln of popular perception is a mythological figure. He has little to do with the actual 16th president.
(Excerpt) Read more at canada.com ...
re: “The Civil War was not about slavery. It was to build the federal army up to a size where the 14th Amendment (or something like it) could be imposed on all the States by that army. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Total BS. Completely untrue. The War of Secession was about furthering the institution of slavery into the territories that would become future states.
If you know anything about American history, you and I both know that I can quote several Southern politicians and important military leaders who said the war was completely about expanding and preserving slavery.
Lincoln campaigned on limiting slavery where it already existed - this was why the Southern states seceded. Lincoln correctly saw that secession, if allowed to stand, was a direct threat to the existence of the United States and refused to concede its legality on the part of the Southern states. He tried to resolve the issue peacefully - he begged the southern states not to resort to civil war.
It was South Carolina that fired the first official shot by the newly enacted Confederacy on a United States military installation at Fort Sumpter. The South bears the responsibility for beginning the war.
No one is claiming that Lincoln wasn’t a politician, that he didn’t have ambition, or that he was a saint - but, on this issue of the war - it was completely about sustaining and expanding slavery. Individual soldiers, north and south, fought for various reasons. I respect the bravery and fortitude of the soldiers on both sides. It is a testament to the courage and sacrifice that American soldiers are willing endure.
But, again, your contention that the Civil War is not about slavery and was some conspiracy to boost federal power is complete and utter nonsense. I say this as someone who loves American history and loves the South.
But, the South’s forcing the country into civil war is what expanded federal power as it never did before. Lincoln did what he did to win the war against secession. He did not fight the war to abolish slavery in the South. He did not fight the war to give slaves freedom. He fought the war to preserve the Union of the United States. But, it is ironic that what Lincoln set out to do - preserve the Union - wound up not only doing that, but also inadvertently accomplishing the very thing that he campaigned for in his run for the presidency - keeping slavery out of the territories. Also, it accomplished something he never campaigned for nor sought as a war goal - the destruction of the institution of slavery itself.
On the other hand, also drenched in irony, is the fact that though the Southern leadership campaigned against Lincoln’s run for the presidency and led their states to secede from the United States, and initiated civil war - all with the aim to achieve the right to expand slavery into the territories - their actions not only produced the exact opposite of what they wanted to do - but destroyed the very institution they sought to preserve - slavery.
Lincoln fought the war to stop secession and preserve the Union. The South initiated secession and the war to preserve and expand slavery. Slavery was the aggravating issue. Secession and war was the South’s means to accomplishing their goal - it failed and led to the expansion of federal power which all of us are paying for today.
Should have let the South GO, not worth the trouble.
If you think the Civil War wasn’t about slavery, then you should read the Ordinances of Secession by the various confederate states. Then tell us why you think the southern states seceded. Of course the chief cause was slavery. All other issues were secondary or tertiary but nothing close to slavery as being the chief cause.
I would be interested in your pointing out the "lies" in the column.
re: “Should have let the South GO, not worth the trouble.”
Well, that’s a different story. Some would agree with you.
Good article. No arguments from me. I’ve always despised Lincoln, and always failed to understand the attraction that’s been conjured up regarding his greatness.
But then, Virginia’s always been where my heart is, and my mother’s people were Caldwells and Calhouns. Did my Rat Year at VMI.
State's rights--the idea that states wield the preponderance of political power within a union presided over by a federal government with limited powers--is inseparable with the use of humans as slaves? That's an interesting concept.
“... no American president has ever been as hated as Abraham Lincoln. His election led seven states to secede from the Union, after all, and four more withdrew after seeing his first few weeks¹ performance in office.”
Hahahahahahahahaha.... Ouch. The truth hurts so good.
“The Union soldiers in the battle actually fought
against self-determination; it was the Confederates who fought for the right of their people to govern themselves.”
As I’ve been saying for years.
“Americans will generally have none of this. The typical American will accept only a Manichean world in which Good battles Evil endlessly.”
And that, in a nutshell, sums up all the Southernphobes, Lincoln worshipers and other one-dimensional liberals who post here.
Therefore, if they want to leave and start a new nation I say let them, and the sooner the better.
Open minded Freepers could learn a lot from reading the whole article.
No occurrences in the other 10 states
They didn't; there was no direct [income] taxes (that came with the 16th amendment).
But witholdings are particularly sinister: they are either theft of what is the employer's (if the wage unpaid is still the owners), or presupposes that the fruit of your labor is foremost the government's and then yours, if the wages are really the employee's at that point. In the latter case the government has made itself equal to God, who had the right to the firstfruits under Mosaic law.
Constitutional scholar, American citizen and resides in Connecticut. National Post merely posted his work.
We will have to give Mr Gutzman honourary Canadian citizenship, so that the remarks against Canadians might fit. (ducking head) I will say in a conciliatory way, that I would suspect Mr Spielberg in anything he produces. My spouse will likely have me see the film. I will no doubt writhe in my seat.
Canada gave political asylum to Confederates on the run, if that is any help. A bunch of the exiled Confederates raided St Albans, Vermont from Canada. Their rebel yells heard in the streets. They got back safely to live another day.
apparently you do not understand the term blather.....
How did I know I’d get a reply from you? Here’s the truth: although not every southerner fought for slavery , the plain fact remains the south seceded from the union because it feared Lincoln or people in his party would end slavery. Despite the fact that Lincoln tried to reassure the southern states that he wouldn’t change anything. All other arguments for the south seceding are spurious.
You understand nothing. Thar average white Southerner hated Yankees. Period. You probably can’t understand that. Combine that with free ammo and a rifle and the recruiting lines were full.
Thar=The
Have a nice day.
Thanks. I read that Wikipedia article. See post 6. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.