Diary entry, December 24, 1860. Carter G. Woodson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (004.00.00)
The country seems to be bordering on a civil war all on account of slavery. I pray God to rule and overrule all to his own glory and the good of man.
This blog complements the Library of Congress exhibition, “The Civil War in America.” This series of posts chronicles the sacrifices and accomplishments of those—from both the North and South—whose lives were lost or affected by the events of 1861–1865. To learn more about the object featured in this blog entry, visit the online exhibition.
November 13, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Slavery was not an issue at the beginning. Lincoln actually
backed the Corwyn Ammendment to the Constitution, which would
have protected slavery in the South. The Harper’s Ferry terrorist attack of 1859 had convinced the South that northern abolitionists would use any method to end slavery and murder all southerners in their beds. Lincoln failed to distance himself from the abolitions in his party and when elected the South began the process of secession. Lincoln actually would have let the 7 orginal seceded states go except they would have to pay US tariff which made up 80 % of the budget. The Morrill Tariff greatly increased the tariff which only guaranteed the South would refuse to pay it. Lincoln would then lay plans to start a war he felt would be easily won so
he could get his tariff money. Slavery was added later only to fill
the ranks and to cause anarchy in the South.
November 19, 2012 at 10:25 am
While we and historians can argue the causes that led up to the Civil War, the personal opinions of those who were living at that time, such as Rev. Tanner, have the greatest authenticity and are most fascinating to me. While Old Irish Rebel’s revisionist comments contain some truth, I don’t think they are relevant to a diary entry. By its very nature, a diary represents how the person who wrote it viewed his world at that particular time and place – it only needs to be true for the writer.
November 25, 2012 at 7:14 am
I do not disagree with all that you have said; however, I do believe there may be some personal biases and opinions not supported by evidence. As I understand it, Lincoln neither supported nor rejected the Corwin Ammendment; in a last ditch effort to maintain the Union, and to support the Republican Party platform, he accepted the ammendment as a compromise. Lincoln personally did not support slavery but felt it was not within his power as president to interfere with this particular ‘state’ issue. He did oppose the expansion of slavery to other states.
November 25, 2012 at 9:25 am
Dear Old Irish Rebel,
I read your message several times. In your first sentence you said the war did not start due to slavery. Then in the vast majority of the rest of your message, you explain how slavery was indeed the cause.
I’m guessing that was not your intent. Turns out the truth just finds a way…
November 28, 2012 at 5:45 pm
For all who say that Slavery was NOT the cause of the war, I’m sorry, but you are wrong. Lincoln wanted the Union to stay in one piece at all costs, and he was willing to deal to make that happen, the war had already started in Kansas. Why? Because of the decision to make all these soon to be states, with slavery or not. Blood was already shed long before Harpers Ferry, and the compromise was history. You can talk about tarriffs all you want, but if you think for one second that the eventual confederacy was just going to roll over and say……..ok, all new states west of the Mississippi will be free states……your deluding yourself. A diary by a women named Merrick said it all when she said, “the biggest sugar plantation in La. with no slaves isn’t worth 2 cents”. I’m on my eighth diary which are being transposed by the University of NC. You don’t have to read many to learn the truth. In 8, I haven’t heard the word tarriff once. Start with Mary Chestnut.
November 28, 2012 at 11:35 pm
Dear Old Irish Rebel.
If the Irish had been slaves a doubt have such apologist’s View of Slavery.