Was the Confederacy simply ahead of it’s time and
would it have survived or at least had international endorsement had the states
seceded in the 21st century?
We know the cause of secession was an economic one caused by the
imposition of oppressive tariffs which disproportionately penalized the
agricultural trade of the Southern region, the proceeds of which were
disproportionately allocated to Northern regional infrastructure and industrial
projects. An eerily similar parallel can
be observed in the recent Ukrainian crisis.
The Ukrainian people toppled their president after he refused under Russian pressure to sign
a trade deal with Europe, which provided the pretext for Putin to send in
troops. Putin wants Russian control of
the Crimean Black Sea ports and of the region’s natural gas fields, to prevent
western control of these vast energy resources.
The international response? Secretary
of State John Kerry said, "It is not appropriate to invade a country, and
at the end of a barrel of a gun dictate what you are trying to achieve, so we
don’t see a nation unilaterally invade another nation," Kerry said. "You just don't, in the 21st century, behave in 19th century fashion
by invading another country on a completely trumped up pretext."
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation as a
war measure disguised as an adoption of the abolitionist position of alleged
moral superiority. Putin characterized Russia's actions as "humanitarian” protecting
the rights of the Crimean people, claiming they were fighting Nazis,
maintaining the student demonstrators and insurgents were using anti-Russian
and anti-Semitic slogans. US President
Obama responded, "Russia
has a historic relationship with Ukraine, including cultural and economic ties,
and a military facility in Crimea, but any violation of Ukraine's sovereignty
and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing.” Obama further said
the Ukrainian people are “a sovereign people, an independent people (and ought
to) be able to make decisions about their own lives.” The result, general international
condemnation and economic sanctions against the tyrannical Putin government and
invading Russian forces. Similarly, the
Confederate States of America were a sovereign state and the citizens and
government sought to be left alone, to make decisions about their own lives.
But Lincoln could not allow the Southern states to leave the Union and with
their departure the control of the natural resources and wealth of the South
and the countless trading ports (from where he ceased to collect the
aforementioned tariffs).
In
Libya, the brutal dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown by internal
factions and the United States response to this self-determination and the Arab
spring? US President Obama said, “The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and
freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator.” Obama demanded that the tyrant “relinquish
power once and for all” adding that the Transitional National Council was
recognized by the United States as the “legitimate governing authority in Libya.” Nation building international diplomacy. Regarding the crisis in Syria, Obama
encouraged the rebel insurgents, "It does not solve the broader political
situation. I would say to Mr. Assad, we need a political settlement so that
you're not slaughtering your own people.” Oh if the dictator Lincoln was so sternly
rebuked.
The
American public stands astoundingly ignorant of the parallels between the
recent international developments to the issues 150 years ago which led to the secession
and establishment of the Confederacy and interestingly showed narcissistic outrage
when the demonstrators who ousted the Russian-backed Ukrainian President flew
the Confederate Battle flag as a symbol of defiance to the Putin administration
tyranny. A news article observed, “Many
African-Americans in the United States are furious to see the symbol of
the Confederate States of America displayed in the capital city of
Ukraine. The flag of the Confederacy, nicknamed the "Stars and Bars"
is one of the most controversial symbols in the United States. <http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/03/07/353575/antirussians-display-controversial-us-confederate-flag-in-kiev/> Philosopher George Santayana foretold, “"Those
who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” With the stark sectional differences in the
United States today, a culture of entitlements, government overreach and
burdensome redistributive taxation and a progressive theology and moral
relativism, is the United States far removed?
April has been proclaimed Confederate History
and Heritage Month in Alabama by Governor Bentley. In this Sesquicentennial of the War for
Southern Independence, we have the opportunity to proclaim the truth and
perpetuity of the Cause and the relevance today of the Confederate soldier’s
brave struggle for freedom and sovereignty and states rights. There are many events planned for this month
to commemorate our Confederate ancestor’s heroic and legendary fight against
the tyrannical Northern aggressors including our enjoyable annual picnic and
the Living History at Confederate Memorial Park the first weekend of April thru
the Confederate Memorial Day programs at the state capitol and the Prattville
Dragoons Monument the final Monday. Hope
to see you at many of these events as we carry forth the Charge.
