Hello and Greetings from Dixie!
I read a great article this morning by Dr. Thomas DiLorenzo on Lew Rockwell (July 24th, 2006) concerning Lincoln's Pro-Slavery record called The Lincoln Cults Latest Cover-Up.
DiLorenzo referenced a recently found letter written by Lincoln urging the passing of a constitutional amendment-- what has been come to be known as the Ghost or Corwin Amendment -- which would enshrine slavery in the United States FOREVER!
I find this issue both fascinating and troubling. Will this tarnish the image of the Great Emancipator?
I doubt it!
Unfortunately, the truth does not further the mythology of the righteous North who teach our children that the South was wicked and that the North was justified in their unconstitutional invasion because they freed the slaves.
It also does not help the image the modern Republicans wish to cultivate with those of African descent.
Just last week President Bush evoked the name of Lincoln in this "historic" speech before the NAACP. Bush said that, "I consider it a tragedy that the party of Abraham Lincoln let go of its historic ties with the African American community."
To what ties does the President refer? The Emancipation Proclamation?
This proclamation was really a war time gimmick which did nothing, except perhaps, make the North feel good about their cause.
In this proclamation, Lincoln "freed" all the slaves over which Lincoln had no control, i.e., those in the CSA which were not occupied by Federal troops, and none of the slaves over which he did have control, i.e., those in the USA and those in the CSA which were occupied by Federal Troops.
Don't believe me-- read it: The Emancipation Proclamation
(I am beginning to wonder if anyone has...)
It was our current 13th Amendment to the Constitution that really freed the slaves-- all of them--in these United States of America. This was a real act of Congress and the States (including the former Confederate States), that really changed the law and really abolished slavery.
This great task was not done, like the mythology goes, by Presidential fiat... Lincoln waved his hand and Whoosh! the slaves were free.
It makes for a nice story, but it is untrue.
This "amazing" find, this "lost letter," once again illustrates the myth, indeed the willful lie, about Lincoln and the "African American community."
Why is all this important?
Because it shows that Lincoln was perfectly willing to establish slavery forever, yet the South still did not wish to rejoin the Union after secession. Why? What other reason was there for them to desire to separate?
It also shows that Lincoln's motivation for the war was something other than the freedom of the slaves. If it was not to free the slaves, why did Lincoln refuse to let the Southern States go in peace?
But more amazing (and troubling) than these historical questions, it goes to show to what lengths some people are willing to go-- over 140 years after the fact-- preserve the myth of Lincoln.
Why? What happens if the idol is smashed? What happens if the myth is exposed? What is to be gained by willfully obscuring the facts regarding this man and the war fought to prevent Southern independence? Who wins? Who loses?
Until we are willing to honestly face the past, all of us-- black or white-- will remain in intellectual bondage, shacked to a lie, and will continue to believe the worst about one another.
Until next time, I remain yours
In the cause,
~ P. C.
"One of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the great struggle for independence. "
~Charles A. Beard
***Update 10/25/2006:
North Carolina State archives to display Lincoln's slavery amendment
Alternative News Sources:
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2006/10/24/news/doc453ecf55acac2765821378.txt
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_4545829
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/15831999.htm
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/502467.html
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