First, picture yourself a man from Massachusetts in 1861 such as several of my great great grandfathers were. You are told that people of color are being oppressed in southern states and feel that this just will not do. You want to make things better for these people. The question is put before you, "Will you fight to the death for this cause?" It is easy to imagine yourself saying, "Yes! Sign me up!" The cause is noble and right..... Only thing is, in reality, people in the north did not have anywhere the righteous indignation on the subject we like to imagine. There was arguably even more distaste for Blacks in the north.
Now, put yourself in the head of a man from a southern state at the time. You are asked, "Will you fight to the death to keep your slaves?" The likely answer would be, "What do I look like? I can barely afford seed for this years crop! I don't have slaves! Go ask a plantation owner!" How many people would ever fight such a bitter war to continue an immoral and unpopular practice?
The fact is, though the issue at the time was whether the Federal government could tell states that they had to change laws about slavery, that was just part of the issue. Most southerners not only didn't have slaves, they didn't believe slavery was moral. General Lee, the highest southern general, was greatly opposed to slavery. But the real reason the south fought was simple. They felt the Federal government infringe on the sovereign rights of states on many levels and issues for a long time. Presidents who were supposed to have little power usurped power from Congress time and time again. Southerners felt that the freedoms fought for in the Revolutionary War were dwindling
as Presidents assumed more power becoming the new monarchy. States, that were supposed to operate independently, felt the Federal government usurp more and more authority from them. Slavery was something most would never have fought for. Freedom from oppression was worth the fight.
The reality of the time, different from what is portrayed, is that most times, a slave would escape the terrible master who beat them and run to the north where they would then be captured, tortured and killed. Northern prejudice and ignorance is far deadlier that southern... because they smile at you as if they were your best friend while they do it.
I take issue with the distortion of this war for a few reasons. First, it is just plain not truthful and it slanders a whole people and labels them and the generations that followed. Second, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. We see that today as once again, Americans are reaching the breaking point as the federal government usurps authority from states and a power crazed president usurps more and more power from congress. This has been going on since the precedent set by Jackson, Lincoln, and others presidents since. Now, we are seeing a president approaching the appearance of a King and Americans are talking about rising up. Is this really a new idea? No, it is the very same reason the south rose in 1861. It happens because truth is hidden behind the hype in hopes that it will die. But, as we are seeing now, a government out of control will always breed rebellion. The old battle cry was that the "South will rise again!" But I am here to correct the record... it never fell. A terrible practice that most in the south at the time despised was banned. The rebellion against a government out of control continued in the hearts of Americans South and North, keeping check until the day our freedom is so threatened that AMERICA RISES AGAIN!
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