What Motivated Southerners To Defend The Indefensible?

The Virginian-Pilot | 23 April 2002 | Rowland Nethaway

[one2many]

Just another stupid journalist. Yawn.

[Who is John Galt?]

It’s a simple question:

”Is the court supreme over the constitution, or the constitution supreme over the court?”

It appears to me that any answer you provide would tend to undermine your argument. That wouldn’t have anything to do with your repeated refusal to answer, now would it?

;>)

[Non-Sequitur]

I don't think my arguement undermines the Constituion at all.

[wasp69]

Another Black Nationalist who thinks that the war was about slavery and that Southerners are all racists, even today.

Hmmm, all Southerners are racists? Well let us see what two ex-slaves had to say on the subject since they were closer to the problem than you or I ever could be:


In many parts of New England a very erroneous impression prevails regarding the attitude of the white people; I mean the white people of the south toward the Negro.

The general idea seems to be that the average southern white man sallies forth every morning with a bowie knife between his teeth, and the first Negro he meets, proceeds to lay him open in the back, broil him on a bed of hot coals and thus whet his appetite for breakfast. I found too, that this impression is largely the result of the thoughtless and altogether unnecessary talk of many southerners visiting the North, who seem to feel it encumbent on them to disavow the very friendly relations that exist between these two races in many parts of the South, by expressions of indifference, and intolerance, that in many instances are never manifested at home.

As a matter of fact, the southern family was noted for the very humane manner in which they treated their slaves, and some of those servants as well as the descendents of others, are in the service of the family at this very day.

Somehow the impression has gotten abroad that the ordinary form used by the southern white people in addressing a Negro is "n****r." Now, it is well known that this term is never used by the better class, for, "Though I be a native here and to the manner born," I can truthfully say I have never, in a lifetime of fifty years, once had the term applied to me personality; and curiously enough, the only time I ever was offended by it happened in the North.

Sam Aleckson


I was persuaded that when I came North I would have the glories of the superior manners and the very quintessence of refinement shown to me; but instead of that, give me dear old Georgia people and "plantation manners" every time in preference. That is what I say.

My God! What will become of the negroes of Philadelphia, Pa. I have seen more wicked men to-night than I have ever seen in South, and may God have mercy upon my race of people. I fear that hell will be the home of thousands of them, after having an opportunity to become enlightened. It seems to me that they are destroying the benefits which they could have derived from their education, judging from their conduct to-night. I have seen and heard, with my own eyes and ears, every word that is written here.

I thought I would see better things by coming North, but it appears to be worse instead of better.

Robert Anderson


It would seem that not only did those who came before you actually live the problem but they also understood the necessity for putting their words on paper for their posterity and your education. All Southerners racist? Whoops!

[wasp69]

So, did you do anything special for Lee-Jackson Day, Rowtund Ne'erdowell?

Actually, yes, my family and I went to Lexington, VA, and visted General Lee's tomb at the Chapel in Washington-Lee University and did our own little historical tour of the area.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"tear the nation in two in defense of slavery"

Obviously a racist who hates whites. (Hey, if this moron can make such stupid statements, why can't I?)

[wasp69]

Obviously a racist who hates whites. (Hey, if this moron can make such stupid statements, why can't I?)

Forgive me, Patriotic American, if I took your post out of context. It has been a very trying couple of months.

[Ditter]

I am throughly a Texan, all branches of my family have been in Texas since the 1820's & 30's, long before the civil war. Members of my family owned slaves & fought for the CSA, both of those things were wrong. Texas should never have joined the confederacy. Sam Houston spoke against it & he was right. I view both sides as having behaved badly. It was a sad affair.