Today we honor the life of a Patriot, Robert E. Lee, on the occasion of his date of birth. We do so by way of reflecting on the terrible price paid by our nation in a bloody war for states’ rights, a war ineradicably linked to the “peculiar institution,” slavery, but equally rooted in high tariffs and other divisive factors. Gen. Lee detested slavery and opposed secession, but, notably, in 1860 he declined Lincoln’s offer to command the Army of the Potomac for the War Between the States, saying that his first allegiance was, properly, to his home-state of Virginia. Of equal note regarding the assertion that slavery was the catalyst for the War, Lincoln did not emancipate slaves (in the South) until 1863, and did so only as a measure to ensure the Union would prevail. Gen. Lee understood federalism and states’ rights as defined by our Constitution, especially its Tenth Amendment. The War Between the States concluded in 1865, but the battle for states’ rights continues unabated.
from the Federalist Patriot
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Cao, I have a new post on which I would like your opinion.
Find it here.
Quite good–I’m going to send that out to my team. I would like to respond but my time is limited. I’ll probably get a chance over the weekend or Friday night.
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
Couple of noteworthy links regarding Lee, who I believe, was one of the greatest Americans who ever lived.
Here’s a link to a ltter written by Lee outlining his rather surprising views on slavery:
http://www.civilwarhome.com/leepierce.htm
And this is an op-ed that appeared in the Wa Times yesterday:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20050118-093611-2069r.htm
One of my very favorite “what ifs” or counterfactuals in history is this:
Suppose Lee, instead of telling his men to lay down their arms at Appomatox, had urged them to take to the hills and fight a guerilla war?
He thought very seriously of doing that and was urged by several of his subordinates to do so. If he had, the chances of the US being as unified as it is today would be nil. The Civil War would have raged on for decades, turning into a bloody and inconclusive occupation.
For this alone, Lee should remain one of America’s greats. The fact that he was an absolutely extraordinary General, beloved of his men, whose battles are to this day studied at West Point and in military academies around the world only adds luster to his reputation.