When discussions or any actions about the "Civil War" or the War Between the States (WTBS) are held or taken one of the first causes of the war mentioned is the issue of slavery. But was slavery really a cause? Do you believe that you have absolute proof to prove the statement? I have proof the cause WAS NOT slavery. I will post the facts that cannot be disputed.

Usually there are only two "proofs" offered by those who believe the war was about slavery--

1. The secession documents. Yes Mississippi does say-- "Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery-- the greatest material interest of the world." But that is a far as most people get, they never read this-- It seeks not to elevate or to support the slave, but to destroy his present condition without providing a better. They never seem to read that far in the document.

At this time I would like to point out to everyone that the purpose of the secession documents is to list the causes or reasons for the first states leave the Union. Read them and you will understand history a lot better. The secession documents can be found at http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_missec.asp. Read them and if you can find any of these states declaring war, please post the state and the exact sentence.

Some documents that are rarely ever mentioned are the Ordinances Of Secession. They simply do not support the neo-Yankee agenda. These documents are more reasons why all of the Confederate States left the Union. You will be surprised to read these reasons. They can be read at http://www.civil-war.net/pages/ordinances_secession.asp.

2. The Cornerstone Speech. This speech was given by VP of the Confederate Alexander Stephens. Some say this is proof positive the war was about slavery. But is it? You can find many websites that post the speech in its entirety but they leave off some valuable information to the speech. Here is a website that gives a source for the speech and the endnotes--- http://civilwarcauses.org/corner.htm

Source:

The Cornerstone Speech was delivered extemporaneously by Vice President Alexander H. Stephens, and no official printed version exists. The text below was taken from a newspaper article in the Savannah Republican, as reprinted in Henry Cleveland, Alexander H. Stephens, in Public and Private: With Letters and Speeches, before, during, and since the War, Philadelphia, 1886, pp. 717-729.

Note:
[REPORTER'S NOTE. -- Your reporter begs to state that the above is not a perfect report, but only such a sketch of the address of Mr. Stephens as embraces, in his judgment, the most important points presented by the orator. -- G.]

Right there the reporters note shoots this speech down as a reliable source. On the other side of the equation we have Stephens "What I Really Said" response at http://www.flatfenders.com/SCV/Heritage%20Defense_files/Cornerstone.htm

Again those who promote the idea of slavery as the cause of the WBTS do not want you to read this because Stephens says--

My own opinion of slavery, as often expressed, was that if the institution was not the best, or could not be made the best, for both races, looking to the advancement and progress of both, physically and morally, it ought to be abolished. It was far from being what it might and ought to have been. Education was denied. This was wrong. I ever condemned the wrong. Marriage was not recognized. This was a wrong that I condemned. Many things connected with it did not meet my approval but excited my disgust, abhorrence, and detestation. The same I may say of things connected with the best institutions in the best communities in which my lot has been cast. Great improvements were, however, going on in the condition of blacks in the South. Their general physical condition not only as to necessaries but as to comforts was better in my own neighbourhood in 1860, than was that of the whites when I can first recollect, say 1820. Much greater would have been made, I verily believe, but for outside agitation. I have but small doubt that education would have been allowed long ago in Georgia, except for outside pressure which stopped internal reform.

These are the major pieces of evidence that ne0-Yankees promote as their proof. No amount of evidence will change their minds, they are made up. Tomorrow I will give you more information on this issue

George Purvis