Wynski: a rebellion was attempted. It was defeated. And 156 years later, still can’t accept that. Amazing.

There is no constitutional basis that allows any state to secede: Texas v. White (1869)

So you can:
Ask the federal govt to allow you to secede (good luck!)
Amend the constitution (good luck!)
Go to war and WIN (good luck!)

Aqua, legally as in constitutional. Sherman’s soldiers also looted civilian homes, shot civilians, quartered soldiers in civilian homes, etc. None of it constitutional. The slaves fleeing has NOTHING to do with the proclamation. They fled (some of them) whenever they could during the war and headed to states that did NOT have slavery. I guarantee that they did NOT flee to Union slave states like Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri as they would have still be considered slaves escaped.

You are quite correct as to the cause of the conflict. Slavery was not a consideration to Lincoln attacking the CSA. The 10th Amendment had given secession powers to the States. Lincoln made a huge gamble by violating the constitution. He paid with his life for violating his Oath of Office.

Good one!

Wynski, very interesting points. You certainly know your American history. But here’s my confusion: if the Emancipation Proclamation did not free the slaves, why did so many of them run away shortly after it was announced if what you’re saying is that it didn’t LEGALLY free them? So the Yankees came, with Sherman and so forth, and the might of the Yankee army “freed” the slaves, correct? I should probably read up on this.

Also, no argument from me with regard to what was Lincoln’s true opinion regarding the issue of equality between blacks and whites. I believe his views on this were shared by the majority of Americans in both the North and the South at the time.

It seems to me that the Civil War was based not on the plight of the black slave and the injustices perpetrated on him but instead on economics with differing lofty ideals utilized on both sides as the catalysts to get people to aroused and willing to fight.

Katherine, in turn I thank you. I had assumed incorrectly that you had been in Scientology, on staff or in the SO. But you’re a Never In. What you’ve shared is amazing…”It just makes my blood boil to hear endless, heartbreaking stories”. I get it! Wow, do I get it. I’m the same way. I hate injustice. That said, I’m glad you’re with us, Katherine.

Straight up love what you wrote and so true , I learned long ago it’s easier to just tell the truth, to be a liar is exausting it’s like you’re so weighed down but for a psychopath it doesn’t bother them at all, this was all meant to come out , I’m glad Leah cared enough for a human to ask,my personal opinion with the temper D.M. has no control over he lost it and hurt her real bad,that’s some bad P.R. for Scientology, and they handle things from the inside so she’s been locked away somewhere or 6 feet under it’s sad

Friends: I am NOT taking sides in the Lincoln debate; that subject deserves a blog of its own. However, I do love your last line Wynski – “History is written by the victor…”

gtsix, 10th Amendment

Thanks for your reply Aqua. I understand. I really do. Sometimes it’s very difficult for someone like me who was never involved to not get really angry at what people have been put through by the cult. It just makes my blood boil to hear endless, heartbreaking stories.

I would never think you were out to hurt anyone. Your posts convey that. If you get benefits, that’s good. While it’s not something I’d ever practice, I have no issue with your perspective on the matter.

Lincoln did not “go to war” for any reason. The south attempted to rebel. He, as President of the nation, defended the Union and stopped the rebellion. He was clear in his papers that if he could have stopped the southern rebellion without freeing the slaves, he would have. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves only in those states that were in rebellion against the govt. Did he want a slave revolt? Certainly. Militarily, that would have been a good thing for the North, to have the South fighting a 2 front war.

Of course this war killed more “americans” than any other war: it was americans verse americans. The South started a war of rebellion, and the North won it. And that is why we are one nation, not two.

i find it best not to heroize any President. In regards to Lincoln, there is much in his presidency that can not be considered good, but he was a President in a time of rebellion – so he really has no peer on that stage, as no other President has had to deal with such an event.

The North was not guiltless in the slave trade and racism is not solely the province of the south. It is a horrid trait endemic in the whole of our nation.