Why Southerners honor their Confederate Roots and Symbols

Why Southerners honor their Confederate Roots and Symbols – Commentary by Frank Gillispie

(April is Confederate History month in Georgia as proclaimed by Governor Perdue and hundreds of other state and local officials across the South.)

A battle is under way in the Southern states by those who would deny a region the right to honor its history and culture. Members of the National Association of Always Complaining People and their allies are trying to force Southern states to remove all symbols of the Confederacy, declaring that they represent slavery and racism. They are wrong.

Claims by anti-South bigots that the Southern states started War for Southern Independence (there was nothing "civil" about it) to preserve slavery are blatantly false. Yet, left-wing media, politicians and other pressure groups repeat this lie at every opportunity. Once the American public is made aware of the extensive historical documentation proving the statement false, these groups will lose all credibility and vanish back under the rocks from which they emerged.

A long list of differences between North and South can easily be found in the historical record. They describe differences of culture, of economics, of faith and political opinion. They describe a vastly unfair tax code that resulted in Southern states paying up to 75% of all federal taxes which were used to further the interest of Northern “robber barons.” All these differences are easily documented by the laws writings and speeches of from the past.

Let us consider just one of the historical documents available; Lincoln's first inaugural address:

In his remarks on Monday March 4, 1861, Lincoln attempted to prevent Southern states from seceding. He quoted his previous remarks about slavery:

"I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."

In addition, he quoted the Republican Party platform as saying that each state has the right to "order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment...."

Lincoln made it clear that, while he personally did not approve of slavery, he had no desire to fight a war to end it.

Later, in the same speech Lincoln issued a challenge that reveals his true reasons for invading the Confederacy. He expressed his beliefs this way "....we find the proposition that in legal contemplation the Union is perpetual confirmed by the history of the Union itself."

He continued:

"It follows from these views that no State upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the union: that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void....I therefore consider that in view of the Constitution and the laws the Union is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability, I shall take dare, as the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all the states."

Southern leaders did not accept the arguments of President Lincoln. They believed that the association of the States with the Union was voluntary, and any state has the right to leave the Union at any time. Historical documentation supporting the right of secession is extensive. It is based on the concept that governments are established by the people, and the people reserve the right to remove or change any government that moves away from the desires of its citizens. The massive economic, civil and military support given to the Confederacy clearly establishes its approval by Southern people.

While there were a number of disputes that led the Southern states to secede and form the Confederacy, and surely slavery was one of them, the war itself was fought over the single question of the right of states to leave the Union, and the right of the Union to use force in preventing such action. The North won, but most traditional Southerners still feel that the wrong side won.

The Confederate Battle Flag is a soldier's flag. It did not represent any political or social ideals. It represented the valor and bravery of Southern fighting men. Attacks on the battle flag are based on ignorance, intolerance and bigotry. A survey of historical evidence clearly justifies the desire of Southerners to fly that flag in honor of our Confederate veterans and the Southern way of life.

Frankly Speaking by Frank Gillispie, this item was published with permission of the author. Published April 27, 2005 in the Madison County Journal - www.mainstreetnews.com. His website can be accessed at frankgillispie.tripod.com/gillispie/.