Read Henretta, Chapter 14. Southern secession, while hardly surprising given the deterioration of sectional relations in the 1850s, was hardly the only thinkable sentiment for many southerners. Following Abraham Lincoln’s election to the presidency in 1860, people in the Upper South (Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kentucky) debated a course of action. Constitutional Union candidate John Bell won Virginia’s electoral votes in the election. Many Virginia counties clung to unionism (support of the United States government), however precariously. As a result, Lincoln’s decision to fortify Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina in April 1861–and his subsequent call for U.S. troops to retaliate after Confederate cannons fired on the fort–held tremendous implications for the president’s ability to hold on to Virginia. With these events in mind, read the following documents about sentiments toward southern secession in Augusta County, Virginia, in the Valley of the Shadow online exhibit: “God Save Our Union” and “A Southerner on Secession,” “Policy of the Border States,” and “Seventeenth Volume.” Augusta County is located near the Blue Ridge of the Appalachian Mountains and stood uneasily between the stronger unionism of the mountain region and the stronger secessionism of the Piedmont and Tidewater regions. In a comment to this blog post, write a paragraph in which you explain the views about secession that each author holds. What conclusions can you draw about the state of public opinion in Virginia in early 1861?
November 20: Secession, Unionism, & the Outbreak of Civil War
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#1 by Andrea Phillips on November 17th, 2009
The author of “God Save our Union” suggested completely different ideas than the author of ” A Southerner on Secession”. The author of “God Save our Union” was saying that the country needed to unite, and that the founding fathers fought for them to be one unified country. The man speaking in “A Southerner on Secession” believes that it would beneficial for Southerners to seperate from the south, and emphasizes how badly southerners wanted to suceede by telling about the young boys carrying around weapons. The “Policy of the Border States” authors wanted to make it clear that it would be easier for them to take sides with the south, and that they want to stay part of the Union because taking sides with the South doesn’t really benefit them. The begining of the “Seventeenth Volume” could’ve have been showing support for the Union , but as I read on I found it was the opposite. In this exhibit they claim that they want to seccede in order to for ther posterity to succed. They also claim that it is part of the govt.’s fault for the formation of the Confederacy, and that the Confederacy will be strong and the North will not bully them. I conclude that most of Virginia wanted the South to seccede, and supported the South.
#2 by Howard Wolsky on November 19th, 2009
In the group one articles the author’s feelings towards the Union are evident. They felt their ancestors struggled and sacrificed to turn previous wastelands into a strong nation that is the envy of the world. The author urges readers to see how much has been accomplished in a short period of time and to not lose it all without regard. In the second article the writers’ feelings are not as patriotic but rather appealing to the economic ramification of succession. He is trying to draw a picture of what life may look like after secession and telling the reader it will cost everyone financially. He paints a picture of rising tariffs to support a growing army, and bands of armed teenagers roaming the streets. In order to persuade thought away from voting for secession he paints a very grim picture of the future and predicts in 6 months the state would beg to be back in the Union.
The group 2 article does not make any attempts to be vague. The author points out to the readers that all the states in the Confederacy do not share the same future should war break out. He accurately foretells that the Border States would suffer catastrophic results should a war break out in protecting the rights of the Cotton States. The author goes on to say “we have interests in the Union that are paramount–interests that the Cotton States have not; and that therefore we should not rashly imperil them through any fancied identity of interest with the States that have left us for weal or for woe”. He clearly wants the reader to understand that the cost of civil war will be very high protecting states that may not have their best interest in mind.
In the Group 3 article we are now reading comments that fully support the cause of the Southern States. This Virginian stands in alliance with Southern States against what he calls the North’s aggressions, and “insulting sneer and taunting defiance”. In comparing their situation to oppression of George the Third, or fanaticism of the Spanish Inquisition he is attempting to rally the readers to associate their cause with noble uprisings of their ancestors in the past. This fight for rights and independence is wholly American and it’s the Patriotic duty of every Virginian to join the fight and die if necessary.
I would have to assume that the Border States had a widely varying opinion within the population of secession and civil war. I would guess that the border states of the south had a greater diversity of population than any other area within the US. Living together as proud Americans were industrialists, people who could trace their ancestors to original settlers, slave owners, yeoman farmers, free blacks etc. There was a lot to gain by a civil war and a lot to lose. It was a great test for democracy and while history reflects the wrong choice was probably made at least the democratic process was upheld.
( Note to MS – I was experimenting wih footnotes in MS Word with a few quotes in this post but all the formatting was lost when I copied it back to the blog)
#3 by Nick Anthony on November 19th, 2009
The first author of the poem seems to be in favor of the union staying together, as he even calls upon God to save the nation. This leads me to believe that the problem is that the author was not in favor of the succession and wanted the country to remain united. The second author of the paragraph does not believe that the people will act “rashly” which eventually ends up being incorrect, but he does see the possibility of a civil war inevitable, which he states in his first paragraph, as friendly talks over the slave parts of the country and the free parts were not likely. The final offer seems to believe that the election of President Abraham Lincoln contributed to the succession of the south. He believes both sides of the country are acting unreasonably and finds this to be as repulsive as the Spanish Inquisition.
#4 by Tom Jaracz on November 19th, 2009
In the first poem the author feels that secession is a bad thing and prays that “God save the noble Union” that “twas left us by our noble fathers”. In the second article, the author feels as though secession, due to raising prices in the south, is not necessarily a good thing but is in favor of it and says that “we will like secession the better as we become the better acquainted with it!”. After reading the “Policy of the Border States”, the author seems timid in giving his stance on whether the South should succeed but mentions that the North has left them to fend for themselves. He goes on to mention that it is not in the South’s interest to go with the North and so one can deduce that the author is in favor of succession despite his plea that people don’t act rashly to try and avoid catastrophe. In the final article, the author is all for secession from the Union and writes “Where Virginia leads there we will follow to victory or to death”. After reading all of the articles I can conclude that the vast majority of Virginia residents were for secession. Most people seemed very passionate about the South breaking off from the Union and they seemed to not feel as though the North cared about them and were only concerned about what benefited the North. All in all I would say only a handful of people were against succession of the North in early 1861.
#5 by Michelle Taylor on November 19th, 2009
The Group Two Articles made it very clear that the main interest of the border slave states was to maintain its relationship with the Free States. The Border States, in this article seemed interested in maintaining its relationship with the Union as well. There seems to be some concern with the cotton states suggesting that “a collision of arms would be unavoidable’ or that civil war is inevitable. The southern states stand firmly in the notion that remaining how they are would be the most beneficial. Group Three Articles suggest that the Northern States are ‘plotting the destruction of the most powerful system of government’ or in other words, going against the Union. It suggests that Nothern States would like to act independently, regulate their own systems. Both article suggest the idea of civil war. Group Three presents itself as an advocate for the government and states that anything, even bloodshed, will be endured to obtain the Democratic government that they support. Considering both articles suggest war, it is to be assumed that Virginia, being the state most involved, was preparing for such events to unfold.
#6 by Cassie Carnabuci on November 19th, 2009
“God Save Our Noble Union” states that the founding fathers are priceless worth and are the noblest of manhood. The author doesn’t want secession to happen, they want to save the Union. The flag “bore us so proudly through the wars,” and some people are willing to give that gift away for secession. In “A Southerner on Secession,” the more secession that happens, the more the people of the south will become acquainted with it as they had the free trade tariff. “Policy of the Border States” does not want the border slave states to rush into secession without thoroughly thinking it through. The Border States will serve as a “wall of defense against Northern aggression.” “Seventeenth Volume” wants secession from the Union. It states: “The South will be as one man in defense of her honor, her rights, her sovereignty and her equality…” And if there has to be a civil war, it will be destiny. In early 1861, the state of public opinion in Virginia was that it would be the leader; people will follow whether it is to victory or to death.
#7 by Bob Mastronicola on November 19th, 2009
The things I got out of the 3 articles is the people of Virginia and the South where steadfast in the belief that war was going to happen. Speaking of their destiny as if it was mean to be war and it was going to happen with honor. They talked about preserving the union as if the union would be fine having free and slave states. They talked a tough game and was almost egging the North to do it, invade the people of the south. There also seemed to be the thought that it would all just work itself out, life would continue as it always has the the powers to be would do the right thing.
#8 by Amy Hull on November 19th, 2009
Upon reviewing these documents, it clearly points out the emotional and political struggles the North and South had to face in the wake of the secession. In one respect, it discusses the brave and noble men who struggled and sacrificed their lives to fight the civil war and since they were filled with doubt and fear about the entire situation, they most certainly turned to God as a way to save the Union. Another view about secession points out that secession for the South would allow for them to be in control of their own laws that they had governed. Additionally, it points out that the Border States, Free States, and Slave States can only become civilized if they agree upon peace with the Union. Another view of secession in the South states that the result of the Presidential election caused defendants opposed to the election to plot and destroy the government. The action of men causes disaster, misery and failure to all current and future generations, human freedom, and affects the political and religious aspects as well! This is a major concern for all future generations, as many believe that the government has failed to accomplish its goals as a powerful institution. The South clearly states that they are not intimidated by the North and they will surely fight to the finish for defense of its honor, rights, sovereignty, and equality. In the pursuit of victory for Virginia and the South, they will uphold the flag of the National Democratic Party to rally the support of Virginia and the South to resist oppression.
#9 by Erin Thomas on November 20th, 2009
After reading the three articles, I’ve concluded the following opinion. The first article, in which I enjoyed reading and was moved by, came from the author through a passionate spirit. Well spoken, it talks about what we came from, and all the bloodshed, struggle, and sacrifice we came from. It gives light to the fact that the founders unlocked the ‘wasted nature’ and made it flourish into a beautiful country of industrial life. This was far too substantial to watch parish. The second article, was more straightforward and was basically, “look if the southern states and the free states touch each other, chaos and bloodshed are bound to happen”. I kind of felt like it was a plea not to be ridiculous. The third article was similar to the second but I felt it was more direct and stern in telling what should and should not happen. In 1861, I believe the common vote of Virginia was against slavery when it was originally the home of american slavery.
#10 by Britny Snodgrass on November 20th, 2009
The first poem shows that the author is against succession. In the second article the author seems to favor succession due to rising prices in the south. The author of “The Policy of Border States” seems uneasy about what the south should do concerning succession. He however does mention that fact that the north has abandoned the south. After reading the Policy of Border States I concluded that the author was probably in favor of succession. The final article was “where Virginia leads there will follow to victory or to death” The author of that final piece was for succession of all states. I have concluded that most Virginia residents were for succession. They also believed that the north had no concern for them. Most were against succession of the north too.
#11 by Chris Spann on November 20th, 2009
From reading these articles it seem that the people of Virginia at the time are attempting to remain are not optimistic. In “God Save Our Noble Union” the author is recalling what had made the United State great. Also at the end of each line he repeats “god save our noble union”, really the author is calling for something to help stop the up coming event, In the second article talking about the boreder states, the quote is really, asking that they remain with the confederacy, to be a buffer between the union and the souther states. It seems that the writer of this article wants Virginia to succeed from the union and remain with the south. Finallly in the the third article, it seem that the author is telling the people that the South is right in wanting to suceed from the Union, and it almost seems that the author is justifying the South’s cause in its actions. Through these three articles, it is possible to see that while soem wanted to preserve the Union others were completely agianst it and wanted nothing more that to be seperated from the North.
#12 by Lindsey Gloekler on November 20th, 2009
In God save the our noble union the author is trying to talk about how the union was formed. He also talkes about the rivers and the trees. they also talk about how the country its understory. “The bravest hearts among us
Are filled with doubt and fear” In the second article is talking about what might happen if the all the states turn into free states. The only way for this to be peacful is to have a settlement. In the third and final article the author is talking about the election. The author thinks that the presidential election results were because of the the “human agencies”. Causeing the Government to dissolve. The Government was beliving that they were the only ones that were right, while everyone else was wrong. The government was failing to to do the things that their four fathers were doing in the past.
#13 by msouther on November 20th, 2009
[For Bill Donelon] Each of these writings has a different view about secession in 1861. “God Save Our Noble Union” praises the United States and its foundations set forth by those that fought for freedom. The author speaks of secession as a tragedy against everything that our Founding Fathers fought for and calls for God to save our noble Union. “A Southerner on Secession” calls for secession from the North and claims that if the South seceded, then all of the problems would be fixed. The author describes how the North has been against them and how northern states have dictated how southern states were to be run. The author implies that with secession comes prosperity. “Policy of the Border States” calls for Virginia to secede because war was seen as unavoidable. The author pictures the North as the aggressor and states that the border-states need to be the first line of defense for the South. The “Seventeenth Volume” calls for Virginia’s secession from the Union. The author portrays the South as being strong supporters of a perfect Union, but states that the leaders have failed to maintain the important values set forth by the Founding Fathers. The author states that equality no longer exists and that no state independence exists. The author also displays the North as being the “bully” and calls for Virginia to lead the way toward war and secession. The North is also displayed as putting forth such oppression that it was comparable to that of George the Third.
#14 by msouther on November 20th, 2009
[For Mike Santora] All the articles express a different view point for either why the south should secede or why they should not. “God Save Our Union” talks about how God destined the United States to be and therefore it should continue. “A Southerner on Secession” provides facts to support southern secession. It says that because taxes are being raised the south is getting the short end of the deal, and they need to break away. “Policy of the Border States” testifies if the south were to break away from the union, it would cause more problems and skirmishes for both the north and the south in the future than it would fix in the present. The final article, “Seventeenth Volume,” tells that the United States government is not what the founding fathers intended it to be and therefore the south needs to secede. After reading all the articles it is clear that Virginian opinion on secesion was widely varied not only on whether or not they should secede but also the reason why they should or should not secede.