Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the CSA: "As a race, the African is inferior to the white man. Subordination to the white man is his normal condition. He is not his equal by nature, and cannot be made so by human laws or human institutions. Our system, therefore, so far as regards this inferior race, rests upon this great immutable law of nature. It is founded not upon wrong or injustice, but upon the eternal fitness of things. Hence, its harmonious working for the benefit and advantage of both. Why one race was made inferior to another, is not for us to inquire."
But the question I keep asking the Lost Causers around here and which I never get an answer to is this: If the north was so racist, if they cared nothing about slavery, why did they abolish slavery at war's end, not just in the rebellion states, but in the loyal border states as well?
Well, here's the answer you keep asking for. It is clear that Lincoln was a racist who didn't believe in slavery. There are many reasons for the abolishment of slavery but I believe kindness was not one of them. The "Black" code laws passed by some northern states to keep the negros out, made clear the attitude of northerners. Northerners disliked negros just as much after the war, as before. In my view the reasons for abolition were af follows, in order of importance;
1. ECONOMIC - Freeing the slaves would have little impact on the economy of the north. It would insure that the south's economy would remain static for the forseeable future. This would insure that the southern states could not rise to become powerful enough to again treaten the authority of the U.S. Goverment. There was a very real fear of this, especially among the union veterans.
2. VOTING BLOC - The newly freed slaves would become voters, Republican voters for the most part. This would maintain the then present power structure, which appears to be so important to politicans.
3. VINDICTIVENESS - After the war the abolitionist were very vindictive towards southerners and the amendment would reinforce the power they held over the people of the south. Lincoln's forgiving reconstruction would be replaced with a very harsh policy, with military occupation.
4. POTENTIAL VIOLENCE - Many slaves were promised freedom for their part in winning the war. To go back on this would invite much unrest and could possibly require further military intervention. The world community would look in distain towards the U.S. Goverment if it reneged on the slavery issue, and feel it couldn't be trusted.