The "Corner Stone" speeches of the 1860's era
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gafinfansubscriberOPMuch has been written about Slavery and the War of Northern Aggression with opinions going from it had nothing to do with it to the only reason it was fought was to retain slavery. Our own poll shows this wild swing in beliefs is present in our own membership.
I would therefore like to offer this link for your consideration, enjoyment, and opinion.
http://www.etymonline.com/cw/cornerstone.htm
So far from slavery being the cause of secession, the fact is many thinking men in the South knew that secession would be the doom of slavery. Slavery could not be economically viable or legally enforcable where freedom was just a river away. They had pushed the North so hard to enforce the Fugitive Slave Laws for just this reason. Stephens was among those who judged "slavery much more secure in the union than out of it."
It is quite a long read and the quote I've posted is the very last statement. I did so with the full desire to entice you to read it thru. The two parts in bold are my doing. The truth they pronounced is undeniable IMHO.
This is the only thing I’ve learned: There’s only us. There’s no them. Despots and authoritarians need to make a “them” to have a straw man whom you are against. If you need to make an enemy of “them,” you’ve lost the spirit of us. - Ken Burns of PBS
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