C.S. President Jefferson Davis made no explicit reference to slavery in his inaugural address, instead emphasizing States Rights as the reason for secession [7].
C.S. Vice President Alexander Stephens declared that, in the longest portion of the Cornerstone Speech, how this constitution eliminated the tariff and removed the Commerce Clause, taking away congressional power to regulate any aspect of commerce. Stephens believed that the new country would have a clear delineation between Federal and State responsibilities, and took the position similar to that of South Carolina during the nullification crisis that the Federal government should not pay for internal improvements.
People made great discoveries and decisions about states rights during this era. Are these nullified because the era was dominated by slavery?
I may choose to fly a Confederate flag to show that I am completely opposed to the Federal Governement’s strangle-hold on commerce and lifestyle in this country.
That’s the thing with a symbol, you don’t really know why the person chose to display it.
By 1700 there were 25,000 slaves in the American colonies and by 1750 there were 100,000 slaves in Virginia, far outnumbering indentured servants.
Quick history lesson, that’s before our Great Nation was formed. Uh oh, that may mean that all of American History can be classified as promoting racism and slavery. That’s a scary thought.
In fact, Ben Franklin invented bifocals before the Civil War ever took place. I suppose everyone that wears bifocals, correct me where I’m wrong Darkstar, “promotes an era dominated by the industry of slavery.”
This failed Revolution strengthened and consolidated Federal power. The greatest disservice we do to children in this country is to paint the only organized uprising in the History of this great nation with overtones of slavery and immorality. Slavery existed when the country began. The subject of slavery should not be used as a trump card to hide the fact that the Federal government was out of control at that time and remains so to this day.
Rising up against a government that abuses its power over the populace is not only mentioned in the writings of the founding fathers, it is encouraged. To label this mid 19th century uprising as an act of greed by racist slave owners, and nothing else, does great damage to reputation of our nation, and the ability of outsiders to understand our Government.