Sunday, August 20th, 2017
Author: Alexander H. Stephens
Source: TeachingAmericanHistory.org
Publication Date: March 21, 1861
Link: “Corner Stone” Speech
Stephan: I have had several readers write to admonish me about supporting taking down confederate statues. The emails, like much I see in the Christofascist media, and the emetic babblings of Donald Trump, claim these statues honor the heroes of state rights which, it is claimed, was the reason for secession. Nothing to do with the "peculiar institution" of slavery. I have been hearing this crap since I was boy in Virginia; it is perhaps the central alt-fact (what a ghastly euphemism) of the Christofascists and White Supremacists.
So let's cut to the chase. I am posting two stories today. The first is a speech made on 21 March 1861 by Alexander H. Stephens, the man who would become the Vice President of the Confederacy, in which he explains in detail why the Southern states seceded.
Source: Henry Cleveland, Alexander H. Stephens, in Public and Private: With Letters and Speeches, Before, During, and Since the War (Philadelphia, 1886), pp. 717-729.
Alexander H. Stephens
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA — When perfect quiet is restored, I shall proceed. I cannot speak so long as there is any noise or confusion. I shall take my time I feel quite prepared to spend the night with you if necessary. I very much regret that everyone who desires cannot hear what I have to say. Not that I have any display to make, or anything very entertaining to present, but such views as I have to give, I wish all, not only in this city, but in this State, and throughout our Confederate Republic, could hear, who have a desire to hear them.
I was remarking that we are passing through one of the greatest revolutions in the annals of the world. Seven States have within the last three months thrown off an old government and formed a new. This revolution has been signally marked, up to this time, by the fact of its having been accomplished without the loss of a single drop of blood.
This new constitution. or form of government, constitutes […]
