Alexander Stephens Vice-president of the Confederacy

Alexander Stephens Slavery and the Confederacy (1861) 1.With the Independence of the Confederate States of America, the South will no longer suffer from the oppressive tariffs of the United States’ federal government. (p. 62.) 2.The foundations of the Confederacy rest “upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race is his natural and moral condition.” (pp ) 3.“The negro by nature, or by the curse against Canaan, is fitted for that condition which he occupies in our system [(i.e. slavery)].” (p. 63.) 4.The truth of the Negro’s inferiority “has been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in the various departments of science.” (p. 63.) 5.Whites teach Blacks how to work, as well as how to feed and clothe themselves. (p. 63.) 6.“Our object is Peace, not only with the North, but with the world… The ideal of coercing us, or subjugating us, is utterly preposterous.” (p. 65.)

Reverend Benjamin Morgan Palmer

Slavery a Divine Trust: Duty of the South to Preserve and Perpetuate it 1.The South’s providential trust “is to conserve and to perpetuate the institution of slavery as now existing….” 2.The South needs slavery to support its material interests. 3.White slave owners act as guardians of their black slaves. Blacks are like helpless children who the slave owner protects. 4.“Freedom would be their doom.” 5.Slaves “form parts of our households, even as our children….” 6.The world should FEAR abolition. The world is more dependent on slavery for its wealth than ever, and if slavery ends, the world economy will totter. 7.The South defends the cause of God and religion, since the “Abolition spirit is undeniably atheistic….”

Rabbi Morris J. Raphall POINT 1: The Bible does not condemn slavery. However, it does condemn coveting another’s property, including another’s slaves. POINT 2: Abolitionists, such as Reverend Henry Ward Beecher, are inventing new sins when they claim that slavery is evil. By doing this they are insulting and exasperating “thousands of God-fearing, law- abiding citizens” and have pushed the country toward civil war.

Reverend Henry Ward Beecher POINT 1: “…The whole nation is guilty [regarding slavery]….” POINT 2: “Our civilization has not begotten humanity and respect for others’ rights, nor a spirit of protection to the weak….”