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I never said slavery was right but it was a way of life at that time in certain parts of the world. The indians certainly didn't have any rights. In the early 1800's they still trusted the English and not the Americans. I find that very interesting.

There were some laws in the South to protect the little rights the slaves had. But still they were treated like property. This was also the case for blacks who owned slaves. In my research, one of the more surprising things that I learned was that some of the so called slave hunters who went after run away slaves were also black. These people were willing to go up in the northern states after fugatives. That is beyond my comprehention that this could happen.

Knowing what I know about the history of both the South and the North now, had I lived back then and been already in the Army, even though I am from Georgia, I would have had a hard time making a decision as to which side I fought on.

Even had there never been a war, I doubt if the South would have stayed together. The economy was bound to fail and the institution of slavery would have seen its demise mainly due to the fact it would have been too expensive. The planters would have been unable to sell the slaves they owned and the entire economy would have tumbled since in a way that is what the economy was based on. The economy of the South was based on agriculture and the most expensive part of that was in the ownership and the maintenance of slaves. Because of that the Confedercy would have failed as a nation from the result of the very thing they were trying to protect.

If you look into our present system of welfare, when you are told what to do, how you can do it, what you can own, and how much you can work you are basically in captivity because your freedom of development is taken from you. Instead of picking the masta's cotton you are just voting to keep him in office. Either way, he owns you and is getting what he wants from you with out living with you.

I try not to judge too harshly when I am reminded that I did not live in that time and many people are simply a product of their time...

And I can not believe that all slaveowners were bad.... Otherwise, there would have been a much more extensive migration from the south and it's plantations after 1865....

In modern times, I can tell you that the system of public assistance is set up to discourage participation... I guess I look at such things the same way I do eating squid or octopus.... I would need to be pretty desperate to indulge... And I would want to go back to steak and potatoes at the earliest opportunity...

I just don't have the stomach to deal with the BS that I have heard comes with Public assistance and therefore, I do whatever I have to do to stay away from such circumstances.... And I am thankful everyday that I am not in such circumstances...