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To: jeffersondem; EternalVigilance; DiogenesLamp; rockrr
Jeffersondem: "I am as uncomfortable saying this as you are learning of it but the 13 northern and southern colonies agreed to fight to preserve the peculiar institution."

But you misunderstand both the words and intentions of our Founders.
In fact, the words "domestic rebellions" referred not only to slaves, but also native-Americans, whom the Brits did in fact stir up.

And Jefferson's original words condemning slavery followed immediately afterwards, clearly telling us that it was not slavery itself he was defending -- since all men are created equal -- but British inspired violence against Americans.

Here is a description of the words' meaning:


581 posted on 07/29/2015 8:26:44 AM PDT by BroJoeK (a little historical perspective...)
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To: BroJoeK
“In fact, the words “domestic rebellions” referred not only to slaves, but also native-Americans, whom the Brits did in fact stir up.”

No.

Read the words of the DOI.

“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

Domestic insurrections referred to slave rebellions. The merciless Indian Savages were referred to in the same sentence but were a separate, named offense.

That may be a small point, but why not get it right?

Regardless, you are coming around to the recognition that the colonists, north and south, were fighting not to end the peculiar institution but to preserve it. Later northern and southern colonists would agree to incorporate the peculiar institution into the U.S. Constitution.

You and I may not like the fact northern and southern colonists were fighting to preserve the peculiar institution but it does no one any good to distort history into its opposite.

There is nothing wrong with you including rejected drafts of the DOI in this discussion. The rejected portions provide context for what the founders agreed to accept - and what they agreed to reject.

585 posted on 07/29/2015 11:34:05 AM PDT by jeffersondem
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