The Civil War News & Views Open Discussion Forum

Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System

Northerners like to quote Alexander Stephens a lot...but not these quotes-

"...The surest way to secure peace, is to show your ability to maintain your rights. The principles and position of the present administration of the United States—the republican party—present some puzzling questions. While it is a fixed principle with them never to allow the increase of a foot of slave territory, they seem to be equally determined not to part with an inch 'of the accursed soil.' Notwithstanding their clamor against the institution, they seemed to be equally opposed to getting more, or letting go what they have got. They were ready to fight on the accession of Texas, and are equally ready to fight now on her secession.

Why is this? How can this strange paradox be accounted for? There seems to be but one rational solution—and that is, notwithstanding their professions of humanity, they are disinclined to give up the benefits they derive from slave labor. Their philanthropy yields to their interest.The idea of enforcing the laws, has but one object, and that is a collection of the taxes, raised by slave labor to swell the fund necessary to meet their heavy appropriations. The spoils is what they are after—though they come from the labor of the slave…

Alexander Stephens, March 21, 1861

"I have not stated the wealth of the North, but it is not my purpose to detract from it. They were a people of wealth. Most of it, however, came from their connection and trade with us. They were an ingenious and manufacturing people. We are an agricultural people. Their interests and ours were blended together. Our prosperity enabled them to become prosperous, and their States grew up by our trade and commerce. Most of their wealth, when you come to estimate it, was nothing but profits derived from our trade. Cut off that trade....Close up the harbor; cut off manufactures. What does it consist in? Bricks and mortar--nothing else....It will disappear: for the bricks and mortar will be worth no more, unless there are tenants and the profits derived from labor, than the bricks and mortar in the arid plains of Babylon.

Sixty-one millions of New-England capital consisted alone in cotton manufactures and cotton spindles. These factories look to us for our raw materials. This capital is now literally paralyzed; it is dead capital; and will be as long as this war lasts....

...The North sold us some two hundred and fifty millions annually. This was their riches; hence came their wealth; hence grew their cities. Their wealth was but the accumulation deposited from our commerce....The riches, money and power of the North came in the same way. Our cotton was the source of it..."

Alexander Stephens, Augusta, Ga., July 11, 1861

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Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
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Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Re: Honoring Confederacy honors Cruel System
Its Time To End the Slavery Blame Game