ptown_trojans_1 wrote:
I've taken several courses on the Civil War and while states rights and the encroachment of federal power were factors, the fact was in the states where slave labor was dominate, they saw the election of Lincoln as the removal of slavery.
Quite true of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi & Louisianna. Texas I would place in a slightly different light. Their motives were similar to the aforementioned states, yet their citizens had other motivations that I think affected their decision. They were a member of the union for just over 15yrs at the time. Some Texans who voted to secede did not want to join the confederacy but to resume the independent republic of Texas. In the end the majority chose to join the confederacy.
ptown_trojans_1 wrote:
The threat of the loss of slavery and the economic impact of that led to South Carolina to secede. Yes, they framed it in a legal, oppressive federal power way, but it was to maintain slavery-the main economic engine of the region.
Those in the federal government opposed to the institution of slavery were using the federal government to push economic policies as punitive measures against those states that legally allowed slavery. For some using federal power to thwart slavery it was born out of the belief that slavery was an immoral practice (SC actually cites this in their declaration of secession stating "they have denounced as sinful the institution of slavery") , for others it was because they believed slave labor gave certain states an economic advantage over others.
If your interested and have the time read SC's declaration of secession. It is quite telling as to the issue they perceived the federal government was infringing on their sovereignty. Clearly they perceived it was their right to enslave their fellow man for economic advantage.
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_scarsec.asp
ptown_trojans_1 wrote:
There were other reasons as well the South ceded, but the main one was their view that Lincoln and the federal government would come in and take away their main way of life-slavery.
Yes, the war was to preserve the Union and not slavery, but for the South, it was to preserve the institution of slavery. The North fought to keep the Union yes, then slavery later. The South fought to keep slavery and their economic model.
Here is were I believe we disagree somewhat (you can clarify if my assumption is wrong). You can not lump the whole "south" into one basket. Each state had its motives for secession. The states I mentioned above were mostly motivated by the economic impact that they feared the abolition of slavery would bring. Believing they alone had the sovereign right to determine the morality of slavery as an economic tool
The states of Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee did not vote for secession until they saw that Lincoln was ready to use the force of arms to prevent those states declaring secession from the union from leaving it. For these states their primary motive was not to defend the institution of slavery, but to adhere to the constitution and the sovereignty of the states. They were unwilling to allow the force of arms to enforce the will of the federal government on fellow sovereign states.
John Letcher, the governor of Virginia during the civil war, who was not in favor of secession, responded to the secretary the of war's request for Virginian troops to serve in the federal governments force to compel the states in secession back into the union by force of arms with this proclamation.
The following is the proclamation of Gov. LETCHER, of Virginia:
Whereas, Seven of the States formerly composing a part of the United States have, by authority of their people, solemnly resumed the powers granted by them to the United States, and have framed a Constitution and organized a Government for themselves, to which the people of those States are yielding willing obedience, and have so notified the President of the United States by all the formalities incident to such action, and thereby become to the United States a separate, independent and foreign power; and whereas, the Constitution of the United States has invested Congress with the sole power "to declare war," and until such declaration is made, the President has no authority to call for an extraordinary force to wage offensive war against any foreign Power: and whereas, on the 15th inst., the President of the United States, in plain violation of the Constitution, issued a proclamation calling for a force of seventy-five thousand men, to cause the laws of the United states to be duly executed over a people who are no longer a part of the Union, and in said proclamation threatens to exert this unusual force to compel obedience to his mandates; and whereas, the General Assembly of Virginia, by a majority approaching to entire unanimity, declared at its last session that the State of Virginia would consider such an exertion of force as a virtual declaration of war, to be resisted by all the power at the command of Virginia; and subsequently the Convention now in session, representing the sovereignty of this State, has reaffirmed in substance the same policy, with almost equal unanimity; and whereas, the State of Virginia deeply sympathizes with the Southern States in the wrongs they have suffered, and in the position they have assumed; and having made earnest efforts peaceably to compose the differences which have severed the Union, and having failed in that attempt, through this unwarranted act on the part of the President; and it is believed that the influences which operate to produce this proclamation against the seceded States will be brought to bear upon this commonwealth, if she should exercise her undoubted right to resume the powers granted by her people, and it is due to the honor of Virginia that an improper exercise of force against her people should be repelled. Therefore I, JOHN LETCHER, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have thought proper to order all armed volunteer regiments or companies within this State forthwith to hold themselves in readiness for immediate orders, and upon the reception of this proclamation to report to the Adjutant-General of the State their organization and numbers, and prepare themselves for efficient service. Such companies as are not armed and equipped will report that fact, that they may be properly supplied.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed, this 17th day of April, 1861, and in the eighty-fifth year of the Commonwealth.
JOHN LETCHER.
To the dispatch from the War Department, Gov. LETCHER made this reply:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.RICHMOND, Va., April 16, 1861.
HON. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War:
SIR: I received your telegram of the 15th, the genuineness of which I doubted. Since that time (have received your communication, mailed the same day, in which I am requested to detach from the militia of the State of Virginia "the quota designated in a table," which you append, "to serve as infantry or riflemen for the period of three months, unless sooner discharged."
In reply to this communication, I have only to say that the militia of Virginia will not be furnished to the powers at Washington for any such use or purpose as they have in view. Your object is to subjugate the Southern States, and a requisition made upon me for such an object -- an object, in my judgment, not within the purview of the Constitution or the act of 1795 -- will not be complied with. You have chosen to inaugurate civil war, and having done so, we will meet it in a spirit as determined as the Administration has exhibited towards the South. Respectfully,
JOHN LETCHER.
The Philadelphia Ledger publishes the appended extracts from a private letter received in that city:
PORTSMOUTH, Va., Tuesday April 16, 1861.
We are imperiled here. There have been traitors detected in Old Point Fortress, who have arranged to betray it when on night guard. Were I not fearful of interception of the letter. I should like to communicate the facts to Gen. CAMERON, Secretary of War.
Our river channel is to be blocked up just below the Navy yard, to prevent any more Government vessels leaving. Old hulks have been bought for the purpose. There is no Government force here to prevent it. Virginia will secede, that is, revolutionize; I have no question of it. Force was last night openly threatened to secure it.
My arrangements are progressing for a prolonged absence from this place, unless some blessed change occurs. Look out for a bloody battle before Washington, D.C., or between that city and Philadelphia JEFF. DAVIS desires to revenge the South on Northern cities, in view of their blockaded ports. Swiftness of concentration is the success of the war. The South are more ready than the North. They are all trained to fighting, and they love it. May Heaven avert the strife!
P. S. -- The attempt to sink a vessel, last night, in the Navy Yard channel, failed. The Government are now informed of these traitorous projects, it is supposed, and will prevent them.
http://www.nytimes.com/1861/04/22/news/gov-letcher-s-proclamation-his-reply-secretary-cameron-state-affairs-norfolk.html?pagewanted=1
