[Yorick]

Originally posted by John D Harris: quote: Originally posted by Djinn Raffo: quote: Originally posted by John D Harris: Yorick, I hate to brust the bubble (not really but it does sound nice )but slavery was not a reason for the South leaving the Union or the US Civil War. The south left the Union because they didn't like being told what they could and couldn't do by the Federal Gov't in Washington D.C. Slavery was an excuse, not a reason. The Union didn't even outlaw Slavery until several years into the war. The North claimed it was slavery was the reason for the war, but SINCE the South STARTED the war the South gets to be the one that says why they started it. 140 years have gone by time to forget the history the victors wrote.

Yep, didn't like being told what to do.. plus they could keep some slaves! Bonus! [/QUOTE]Several of the leaders of the south wanted to free the slaves before firing on Ft Sumpter. If anyone was to look at the words and deeds of the southern leaders they would find almost to the MAN they made the statements they would go in the direction their states went. Robert E. Lee was offered the comand of the entire Union Army of the Potomac but rejected it in favor of a second hand command in Charleston, before being reasigned to the Army of Northern Virginia after Johnston (IIRC) was wounded, because Virginia choose to secede. The same is true for Jackson, Longstreet, You name the leader and they left the Union Army infavor of serving their State. The Federalist party, who wanted a strong central Gov't didn't do well in the south. The south's Loyalty went in this order: God, Family, State, then the Union, Except for in Alabama it was: God, Alabama Crimson Tide , Family, State, then the Union. There were several regiments from Louisiana that were made up of Black citizens, free black citizens.
Slavery was the excuse, not the reason, there is a differance between a reason and an excuse. One is why you do something, the other is what you use to justify why you did it. [/QUOTE]Great post John. Thanks.