As a point of disclosure my ancestors fought on both sides and none owned slaves. I’m glad to not be saddled with that burden:
In the momentous step, which our State has taken of dissolving its connection with the government of which we so long formed a part, it is but just that we should declare the prominent reasons which have induced our course.
Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery – the greatest material interest of the world. Its labor supplies the product, which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth. These products are peculiar to the climate verging on the tropical regions, and by an imperious law of nature, none but the black race can bear exposure to the tropical sun. These products have become necessities of the world, and a blow at slavery is a blow at commerce and civilization. That blow has been long aimed at the institution, and was at the point of reaching its consummation. There was no choice left us but submission to the mandates of abolition, or a dissolution of the Union, whose principles had been subverted to work out our ruin.
A state and society predicted on the enslavement of our fellow man sounds pretty barbaric to me. Worse are those that actually still celebrate it:
Rep. Karl Oliver: Those removing Confederate monuments ‘should be lynched’ ~ Kate Royals Continue reading “You know the ol’ family tree has to be too straight…”