Let us begin by making something clear; slavery was not unique
to the Confederacy. I am not referring to the slave labor that
built New York City years before the war. I am referring to those
slave states remaining in the Union and maintaining their slaves
throughout the War for Southern Independence. In fact, slavery
existed in the Union until well after the war was concluded. The
last state to hold slaves was Delaware, a Union state, which refused
to ratify the 13 th Amendment freeing slaves. Delaware finally
signed it on February 12, 1901, though federal law forced them
to free their remaining slaves on December 31, 1865—approximately
8 months after the war’s end. Other Union states also maintained
their slaves, including West Virginia, which seceded from Virginia
in 1863 and entered the Union as a slave state.
On July 8, 1864, the Twenty-Sixth, a newspaper from New London,
CT wrote in an article entitled, _Why We Are Fighting_, “This
war is often spoken of as a ‘N- war.’ Those persons
who use this refined expression probably intend to say that this
civil war in which our nation is engaged, was opened and is prosecuted
for the sole purpose of improving the condition of the slaves.
A little reflection must convince any reasonable man that there
is no ground for such a charge.” The article goes on to say
they are fighting to protect their liberties because the Confederacy
wanted to reduce “ALL LABORERS to the condition of slaves.” (Emphasis
original to article).
Even a quick review of The Emancipation Proclamation reveals the
document does not do anything to help or free the slaves under
Lincoln’s control, but speaks only of those over which there
was no authority. It was a brilliant political move on his part,
but falls well short of fulfilling the myth of the Great Emancipator.
For those who enjoy perpetuating the myth of Yan- er- Northern
moral superiority, I have several questions:
- How can you wage a war against slavery in another country while
permitting it in your own? This would be like invading Mexico
because they allow people to drive over 40 miles per hour on
their highways.
- How can you claim moral superiority in waging a war to end
slavery while also practicing and perfecting genocide against
the Indians?
- Why would Delaware fight to end slavery and then refuse to
sign an amendment abolishing the practice?
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