THIS DAY IN HISTORY Secession Addressed by Leader

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." ---John Adams

Shortly before his death in March of 1850, John C. Calhoun wrote the following letter to James Mason of Virginia. Written eleven years before the guns of Sumter, Calhoun's prediction is eerie in the extreme.

"The Union is doomed to dissolution, there is no mistaking the signs. I am satisfied in my judgment even were the questions which now agitate Congress settled to the satisfaction and the concurrence of the Southern States, it would not aver, or materially delay, the catastrophe. I fix its probable occurrence within twelve years or three Presidential terms. You and others of your age, will probably live to see it; I shall not. The mode by which it will be is not so clear; it may be brought about in a manner that none now foresee. But the probability is it will explode in a Presidential election."

On December 18, 1860, Francis Wilkinson Pickens was inaugurated Governor of South Carolina.

For seventy-three years this State has been connected by a Federal compact with co-states under a bond of Union, for great national objects common to all. In recent years there has been a powerful party organized upon principles of ambition and fanaticism, whose undisguised purpose is to divest the Federal Government from external, and turn its power upon the internal interests and domestic institutions of these States.

They have thus combined a party exclusively in the Northern States, whose avowed objects, not only endanger the peace, but the very existence of near one-half the States of this Confederacy. And in the recent election for President and Vice-President of these States, they have carried the election upon principles that make it no longer safe for us to rely upon the powers of the Federal Government or the guarantees of the Federal compact.

This is the great overt act of the people of in the Northern States at the ballot box, in the exercise of their sovereign power at the polls, from which there is no higher appeal recognized under our system of government in its ordinary and habitual operations. They thus propose to inaugurate a Chief Magistrate at the head of the Army and Navy with vast powers, not to preside over the common interests and destinies of all the States alike, but upon issues of malignant hostility and uncompromising war to be urged upon the rights, the interests and the peace of half the States of this Union.

In the Southern States there are two entirely distinct and separate races, and one has been held in subjection to the other by peaceful inheritance from worthy and patriotic ancestors, and all who know the races, well know that it is the only form of government that can preserve both and administer the blessings of civilization with order and in harmony.

Any thing tending to change or weaken this government and the subordination between the races not only endangers the peace, but the very existence of our society itself.

We have for years warned the Northern people of the dangers they were producing by their wanton and lawless course. We have often appealed to our sister States of the South to act with us in concert upon some firm and moderate system by which we might be able to save the Federal Constitution, and yet feel safe under the general compact of union; but we could obtain no fair hearing from the North, nor could we see any concerted plan, proposed by any of our co-States of the South, calculated to make us feel safe and secure.

Under all these circumstances, we now have no alternative left but to interpose our sovereign power as an independent State, to protect the rights and ancient privileges of the people of South Carolina.

This State was one of the original parties to the Federal compact of union. We agreed to it, as a State, under peculiar circumstances; when we were surrounded with great external pressure, for purposes of national protection and to advance the interests and general welfare of all the States equally and Alike; and when it ceased to do this, it is no longer a perpetual union.

It would be an absurdity to suppose it was a perpetual union for our ruin. The Constitution is a compact between co-States and not with the Federal Government. On questions vital, and involving the peace and safety of the parties to the compact, from the very nature of the instrument each State must judge of the mode and measure of protection necessary for her peace and the preservation of her local and domestic institutions,

South Carolina will therefore decide for herself, and will, as she has a right to do, assume her original powers of government as an Independent State, and as such, will negotiate with other powers, such treaties, leagues or covenants, as she may deem proper.

I think I am not assuming too much when I say that our interests will lead her to open her ports free to the tonnage and trade of all nations, reserving to herself the right to discriminate only against those who may be our public enemies.

She has fine harbors, accessible to foreign commerce, and she is in the centre of those extensive agricultural productions, that enter so largely into the foreign trade and commerce of the world; and from the basis of those comforts in food and clothing so essential to the artizans and mechanic laborers in higher latitudes, and which are so essential to the prosperity and success of manufacturing capital in the North and in Europe.

I therefore may safely say it is for the benefit of all who may be interested in commerce, in manufactories, and in the comforts of artizans and mechanic labor everywhere, to make such speedy and peaceful arrangements with us as may advance the interests and happiness of all concerned.

There is one thing certain, and I think it due to the country to say so in advance, that South Carolina is resolved to assert her separate independence; and, as she acceded separately to the compact of union, so she will, most assuredly, secede separately and alone, be the consequences what they may.

And I think it right to say, with no unkind feelings whatever, that, on this point, there can be no compromise, let it be offered from where it may. The issues are too grave and too momentous to admit of any counsel that looks to anything but direct and straightforward independence. In the present emergency, the firmest and most decided measures are the safest and wisest.

To our sister States, who are identified with us in interest and in feeling, we will cordially and kindly look for co-operation and for a future union, but it must be after we have asserted and resumed our original and inalienable rights and powers of sovereignty and independence.

We can then form a government with them, having a common interest with peoples of homogeneous feelings, united together by all the ties that can bind States in one common destiny. From the position we may occupy towards the Northern States, as well as from our own internal structure of society, the government may, from necessity, become strongly military in its organization.

When we look back upon the inheritance that we, as a State, have had in the common glories and triumphant power of this wonderful confederacy, no language can express the feelings of the human heart, as we turn from the contemplation and sternly look to the great future that opens before us.

It is our sincere desire to separate from the States of the North in peace, and leave them to develop their own civilization to their own sense of duty and of interest. But if, under the guide of ambition and fanaticism, they decide otherwise, then be it so.

We are prepared for any event, and, in humble reliance upon that Providence who presides over the destinies of men and nations, we will endeavor to do our duty faithfully, bravely, and honestly. I am now ready to take the oath of office and swear undivided allegiance to South Carolina.

Lets see if you judge the people of the 19th century by the standards of the 20th abd 21st century then you will get a very distorted view of history.

“I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races … I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races from living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be a position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.”

A. Lincoln

"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union."

A. Lincoln

A. Lincoln had an evolving interpretation of the issue of slavery. He even thought that the slaves should be freed and shipped back to Africa. BUT - guess what....Lincoln regularly met with Frederick Douglass - who was a regular adviser to the President....and Lincoln ‘evolved’ to understand that the black slaves considered themselves Americans, didn’t want to ‘return to Africa’ - because America was their home...they wanted freedom and a chance for the American dream. Big change in his position from his earlier writings. (Check it out!)

Your ‘early 1861 were suing for peace’ is not realistic.

In the Butchers own words:

"On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came."

A. Lincoln.

YOUR: Oh yeah, he “evolved”. LOL!

Yup....look it up.

Can’t you sense the overall compassion and humanity of Lincoln in his 2nd Inaugural address? I see it there.

BUT - if you are filled with hate with someone who tried to preserve the Union and end slavery ....I guess you will believe what ever helps you justify your opposition to Lincoln and the ending of slavery.

I figured that out...his ‘ID’ on his page is “15th Va. Company C, Patrick Henry Rifles- Men from Hanover County”. This suggests he is really into defending the South ....and is clueless about the impact of slavery on people who were enslaved.

The 15th Va., Company C ...a Confederate Army group....I wonder if he is involved in re-enactments...etc. (If so - maybe he is taking this re-enactment too seriously.) But - out of southern sympathizers - the hatred of Abraham Lincoln is VERY strong - but they seldom have a bad word for the slave masters. It is as bad as leftists who are upset with America’s ‘many sins’ - yet they give Communist Russia and Communist China huge passes.

As I said - 700K dead is huge - but it becomes trivially small compared to the impact of slavery over the centuries before the formation of our country - and the 80+ years after.

I agree with CVA’s idea of not judging people in the 19th century with 21st century morality...but even in the 19th Century - there was a very strong anti-slavery movement as well as many writings on the issue. British Empire ended slavery with the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833....so to say keeping slaves was ‘normal’ in the 19th century is to ignore the societal pressures that were well underway to end this evil institution. And the southerners knew of the pressures to end slavery - and with the election of A.Lincoln, they felt that the nation would end slavery - so they withdrew to PRESERVE slavery.

Sir, name calling and smart ass comments like yours defines “ignorance” on FR. Many Freepers make that complaint all the time as did Jim Robinson only a few days ago. So, if you can’t make an intelligent comment, devoid of insults, please don’t bother to comment on any post of mine in the future and I will do the same for you.

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