Few people today defend justifications for slavery

Slavery is so disreputable in the modern age that loyal Southerners, including friends and family from Arkansas, find it impossible to dwell on the fact that slavery was the chief economic engine of the South and that southern leaders risked what became a civil war in order to protect it. But no one doubted this during the secession crisis of 1860-1861. Original documents published in every state, Arkansas included, at the time of secession made this abundantly clear. Here is a sample from a few states, in the words of those who took their states into the Confederacy:

Georgia: “For the last ten years we have had numerous and serious causes of complaint against our non-slave-holding confederate States with reference to the subject of African slavery. They have endeavored to weaken our security … and persistently refused to comply with their express constitutional obligations to us in reference to that property.”

Mississippi: “Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery — the greatest material interest of the world. Its labor supplies the product which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth.”

South Carolina: “A geographical line has been drawn across the Union, and all the States north of that line have united in the election of a man to the high office of President of the United States, whose opinions and purposes are hostile to slavery.”

Texas: “She was received as a commonwealth holding, maintaining and protecting the institution known as negro slavery — the servitude of the African to the white race … the servitude of the African race … is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified … and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations …”

There were many good people who believed these things in 1860. Fortunately, in 2019, few now defend these sentiments.

JOE NEAL Fayetteville