Quotes & Misc.
All the South has ever desired was that the union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved; and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth. General Robert E. Lee 1866, CSA
Surrender means that history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy; that our youth will be trained by Northern school teachers; will learn from Northern school books their version of the War; will be impressed by all the influences of history and to regard our gallant dead as traitors, and our maimed veterans as fit subjects for derision. General Pat Cleburne, CSA
I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black races – that I am nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race. I say upon this occasion I do not perceive that because the white man is to have the superior position the negro should be denied everything. The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume III, September 18, 1858 –Fourth Debate with Stephen A. Douglas in Charleston Illinois, pp. 145-146.
…My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union and is not, either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that…August 22, 1862 letter to Honorable Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune by Abraham Lincoln, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume V, p. 388.
President Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address
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.
“Things had gone from bad to worse until I felt that we had reached the end of our rope on the plan of operations we had been pursuing; That we had about played our last card, and must change our tactics or lose the game. I now determined upon the adoption of the emancipation policy.” – Abraham Lincoln, exposing how slavery didn’t become an issue until halfway through the Civil War.
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