THIS DAY IN HISTORY Secession Addressed by Leader

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." ---John Adams

Shortly before his death in March of 1850, John C. Calhoun wrote the following letter to James Mason of Virginia. Written eleven years before the guns of Sumter, Calhoun's prediction is eerie in the extreme.

"The Union is doomed to dissolution, there is no mistaking the signs. I am satisfied in my judgment even were the questions which now agitate Congress settled to the satisfaction and the concurrence of the Southern States, it would not aver, or materially delay, the catastrophe. I fix its probable occurrence within twelve years or three Presidential terms. You and others of your age, will probably live to see it; I shall not. The mode by which it will be is not so clear; it may be brought about in a manner that none now foresee. But the probability is it will explode in a Presidential election."

On December 18, 1860, Francis Wilkinson Pickens was inaugurated Governor of South Carolina.

For seventy-three years this State has been connected by a Federal compact with co-states under a bond of Union, for great national objects common to all. In recent years there has been a powerful party organized upon principles of ambition and fanaticism, whose undisguised purpose is to divest the Federal Government from external, and turn its power upon the internal interests and domestic institutions of these States.

They have thus combined a party exclusively in the Northern States, whose avowed objects, not only endanger the peace, but the very existence of near one-half the States of this Confederacy. And in the recent election for President and Vice-President of these States, they have carried the election upon principles that make it no longer safe for us to rely upon the powers of the Federal Government or the guarantees of the Federal compact.

This is the great overt act of the people of in the Northern States at the ballot box, in the exercise of their sovereign power at the polls, from which there is no higher appeal recognized under our system of government in its ordinary and habitual operations. They thus propose to inaugurate a Chief Magistrate at the head of the Army and Navy with vast powers, not to preside over the common interests and destinies of all the States alike, but upon issues of malignant hostility and uncompromising war to be urged upon the rights, the interests and the peace of half the States of this Union.

In the Southern States there are two entirely distinct and separate races, and one has been held in subjection to the other by peaceful inheritance from worthy and patriotic ancestors, and all who know the races, well know that it is the only form of government that can preserve both and administer the blessings of civilization with order and in harmony.

Any thing tending to change or weaken this government and the subordination between the races not only endangers the peace, but the very existence of our society itself.

We have for years warned the Northern people of the dangers they were producing by their wanton and lawless course. We have often appealed to our sister States of the South to act with us in concert upon some firm and moderate system by which we might be able to save the Federal Constitution, and yet feel safe under the general compact of union; but we could obtain no fair hearing from the North, nor could we see any concerted plan, proposed by any of our co-States of the South, calculated to make us feel safe and secure.

Under all these circumstances, we now have no alternative left but to interpose our sovereign power as an independent State, to protect the rights and ancient privileges of the people of South Carolina.

This State was one of the original parties to the Federal compact of union. We agreed to it, as a State, under peculiar circumstances; when we were surrounded with great external pressure, for purposes of national protection and to advance the interests and general welfare of all the States equally and Alike; and when it ceased to do this, it is no longer a perpetual union.

It would be an absurdity to suppose it was a perpetual union for our ruin. The Constitution is a compact between co-States and not with the Federal Government. On questions vital, and involving the peace and safety of the parties to the compact, from the very nature of the instrument each State must judge of the mode and measure of protection necessary for her peace and the preservation of her local and domestic institutions,

South Carolina will therefore decide for herself, and will, as she has a right to do, assume her original powers of government as an Independent State, and as such, will negotiate with other powers, such treaties, leagues or covenants, as she may deem proper.

I think I am not assuming too much when I say that our interests will lead her to open her ports free to the tonnage and trade of all nations, reserving to herself the right to discriminate only against those who may be our public enemies.

She has fine harbors, accessible to foreign commerce, and she is in the centre of those extensive agricultural productions, that enter so largely into the foreign trade and commerce of the world; and from the basis of those comforts in food and clothing so essential to the artizans and mechanic laborers in higher latitudes, and which are so essential to the prosperity and success of manufacturing capital in the North and in Europe.

I therefore may safely say it is for the benefit of all who may be interested in commerce, in manufactories, and in the comforts of artizans and mechanic labor everywhere, to make such speedy and peaceful arrangements with us as may advance the interests and happiness of all concerned.

There is one thing certain, and I think it due to the country to say so in advance, that South Carolina is resolved to assert her separate independence; and, as she acceded separately to the compact of union, so she will, most assuredly, secede separately and alone, be the consequences what they may.

And I think it right to say, with no unkind feelings whatever, that, on this point, there can be no compromise, let it be offered from where it may. The issues are too grave and too momentous to admit of any counsel that looks to anything but direct and straightforward independence. In the present emergency, the firmest and most decided measures are the safest and wisest.

To our sister States, who are identified with us in interest and in feeling, we will cordially and kindly look for co-operation and for a future union, but it must be after we have asserted and resumed our original and inalienable rights and powers of sovereignty and independence.

We can then form a government with them, having a common interest with peoples of homogeneous feelings, united together by all the ties that can bind States in one common destiny. From the position we may occupy towards the Northern States, as well as from our own internal structure of society, the government may, from necessity, become strongly military in its organization.

When we look back upon the inheritance that we, as a State, have had in the common glories and triumphant power of this wonderful confederacy, no language can express the feelings of the human heart, as we turn from the contemplation and sternly look to the great future that opens before us.

It is our sincere desire to separate from the States of the North in peace, and leave them to develop their own civilization to their own sense of duty and of interest. But if, under the guide of ambition and fanaticism, they decide otherwise, then be it so.

We are prepared for any event, and, in humble reliance upon that Providence who presides over the destinies of men and nations, we will endeavor to do our duty faithfully, bravely, and honestly. I am now ready to take the oath of office and swear undivided allegiance to South Carolina.

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In 1861, my great, great grandfather, his brother and his son met just about 8 miles from where I sit right now typing on this keyboard and rode off to the Civil War. 4 years later, only my grandfather returned.

And, if I had been around back then, most likely I would have rode off with them. Who knows?

But, I can safely say, that in 2018, 157 years later, I totally disagree with Calhoun, a great orator and master of “words”, that one race should “be held in subjection” to another race.

Whipping black people and hanging them in a tree without due process is not “peaceful” or “harmonious” to the person on the receiving end of the hangmans rope or whip. It’s always amazed me that 600,000 guys went out in the woods and fought to the death over slavery (please don’t tell me about states rights).

Ah ...we get to ‘refight’ the causes of the Civil War.

Here is a challenge for those defending the south....

Google to find the various Secession Resolutions that were passed by southern states when they decided to secede. Those resolutions are their ‘justification’ for leaving the union.

(Or - find the book “The President’s War; Six Presidents and the Civil War that Divided them”. In the appendices - you can find some of the secession resolutions.)

Those southern states typically spoke out STRONGLY on their belief that slavery was legal and should be maintained, and that the Union would take away their right to keep and control slaves. The southern states conveniently believed in ‘federalism’ when it was convenient...they wanted the federal government to support efforts to track down and return slaves from free states. Today - southern ‘sympathizers’ claim that they were against federalism...which they were - WHEN IT WAS CONVENIENT.

So - bottom line - initially - the northern states did NOT fight to ‘free the slaves’ (that came later) - but initially - it was to preserve the union. OTOH - the south definitely seceded and was willing to fight to PRESERVE slavery.

As to ‘justified’ ....play a mental game, if you will....and be honest. Assume you were a slave in the south in 1859. Would you be willing to continue suffering in slavery for another 10, 20, 30 or more years - hoping that eventually slavery would be ended...peacefully? How many years would you be wanting to see this evil institution continue, slaves suffering under the lash, slave families broken up at the whim of their ‘master’? If you would be willing to see a Civil War to ensure your freedom - sooner than later....then you should understand that the Civil War - as bad as it was - was less evil than the institution of slavery.

Have you really READ Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address? If not - carefully read this passage - and see if it honestly addresses the issue:

LINCOLN: “One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. “Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.” If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away.

[HERE IS THE IMPORTANT PART] Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”

Ah...someone steps up to defend slavery. Want to see it returned? Why not - if the Civil War was wrong to end it? Try to be logical and consistent.

Try to find/read the book: “Emancipating Slaves, Enslaving Free Men: A History of the American Civil War”. Good study of the evil institution and how it corrupted the souls of those in the south who embraced slavery. Sure- the North wasn’t perfect - it had its own problems...but nothing on the level as chattel slavery.

IIRC - it was about 400,000 Union troops died to preserve the Union and end slavery. They should be honored.

About 300,000 Southern troops died - fighting to preserve slavery. They don’t deserve the same measure of honor.

‘The Butcher’??? And what term would you use for the many many Southern masters who lashed their slaves...killing those whom they wished to kill, raping those women whom they wished to rape - and selling/sending family members away for the convenience (or profit) of the master...and ignore the humanity of the slave?

Your ‘early 1861 were suing for peace’ is not realistic. The firing on Ft. Sumter - April 12, 1861....was in ‘early 1861 and STARTED the Civil War.

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