[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from March 29 (reply #29).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3944470/posts#29

William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American

[BroJoeK]

"William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American"

This page holds many of the Lost Causer arguments we've seen posted on CW threads all these years.
Davis thought it would be a good idea to let the Union fire the first shots, but there were "other considerations" which prevented that.

Those "other considerations" most especially included Virginia flipping from Union to Confederate:

"That same day, Davis received a telegram from Louis T. Wigfall, urging, "General Beauregard will not act without your order.
Let me suggest to you to send the order to him to begin the attack as soon as he is ready.
Virginia is excited by the preparations, and a bold stroke on our side will complete her purposes.
Policy and prudence are urgent upon us to begin at once."
[Wigfall to Davis, 10 Apr 1861, quoted in Richard N. Current, _Lincoln and the First Shot,_ p. 151]"

So, it would be nice to let the Union fire the first shot, but even better to flip Virginia.

Many, many years later:

"When touring the South in 1886 and 1887, Davis attended many Lost Cause ceremonies, and large crowds showered him with affection as local leaders presented emotional speeches honoring his sacrifices to the would-be nation.
According to the Meriden Daily Journal, at a reception held in New Orleans in May 1887, Davis urged southerners to be loyal to the nation – "United you are now, and if the Union is ever to be broken, let the other side break it." "

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from April 6 (reply #7).

William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American