Were the Confederates traitors

[JackOfNoTrades]

Today, the political left considers the rebels who participated in the American Civil War—also known as the War Between the States—as traitors.

My opinion is that people think this way because they are not true Americans; they are imperialists. They believe in the right to rule and own other people.

Our country is different from most others in the world in that sovereignty does not rest in a king or a government, but in the people. In our country, the people are sovereign.

In the United States, the people are organized in two ways: by states and as a collection of states forming a nation. The nation itself is sovereign. The government of the United States is sovereign because it derives its sovereignty from the people.

Likewise, the people of each state are sovereign, and the state governments are sovereign because they also derive their authority from the people.

I believe—though I’m likely in the minority—that the treason clause in the Constitution refers to individuals, not states. After all, the Founders did the same thing with the Declaration of Independence, and I don't believe they saw themselves as traitors. For the Declaration to be accepted, it had to be ratified by a majority of the states—each a sovereign unit. States cannot commit treason because they are sovereign, and the Founders, acting as agents of those sovereign states, were not traitors. I don't think the Founders saw themselves as traitors.

Likewise, the individuals who voted for secession were not traitors, because as a collective—acting as sovereign states—they were exercising a sovereign right.

You can’t be a traitor against yourself.

Yes. Lincoln forgave them because he knew to demonize and prosecute them all would have been the end of any chance at a Republic.

But, they were traitors.

 

[Robert W]

Lincoln never had that intention or the power to do so. He just wanted to stop the expansion.

Lincoln invaded VA.

 

[rightwinger]

Lincoln invaded VA.

Rightfully so
Lincoln initially offered terms to reunite that included maintaining slavery to get them to come back.
But when the Confederates attacked Sumter, war was on and Lincoln made the war about ending slavery

 

[Unkotare]

Seriously? Have you never read the Souths founding documents?
Did Lincoln attack his own nation?

I have, and they all declare slavery as the reason for their treason. Lincoln attacked the traitors. He did not attack loyal Americans which were found in each of the states involved. Every so-called confederate state had armed contingents of Americans who resisted the traitorous rebellion.

 

[Unkotare]

Lincoln invaded VA.

No, he did not.

 

[Robert W]

Then the south overreacted and listened to the hotheads again and attacked Sumter

Inflammatory history

Abe overreacted by invading VA. Where? VA near, Manassas VA.

 

[Robert W]

No, he did not.

You really did not know about his invasion very near Manassas, VA?

 

[Unkotare]

You really did not know about his invasion very near Manassas, VA?
View attachment 1156967

"The rebel attack on Fort Sumter began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces bombarded the Union-held Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, initiating the American Civil War. "

 

[Zincwarrior]

Is the United States, who had slavery enshrined in their Constitution for almost 80 years?

We fixed that.

 

[rightwinger]

Inflammatory history

Abe overreacted by invading VA. Where? VA near, Manassas VA.

Your Google must be broken

Lincoln went to war after Sumter
Stupid on the part of the South

 

[Quantrill]

You don't know? You comment about a war where you don't know one of the key figures, yet it is your user name?

When one makes an accusation it usually follows that he give the basis of that accusation.

In other words, I could say the yankee government was a murderer.

Quantrill

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

When one makes an accusation it usually follows that he give the basis of that accusation.

In other words, I could say the yankee government was a murderer.

Quantrill

You apparently don't know or won't tell the source of your user name. Why is that?

 

[Quantrill]

Slavery was the sole reason the Southern States seceded and formed the Confederacy
If not for that act, the war never would have happend

Slavery as protected by the Constitution. And the North refused to offer the South it's right and protections under that Constitution.

That was the sole reason.

Quantrill

 

[Quantrill]

You apparently don't know or won't tell the source of your user name. Why is that?

I asked 'was he'? Which means I may not agree. So he needs to tell me since he made the accusation. But, since you're so interested, feel free to inform me.

Quantrill

 

[rightwinger]

Slavery as protected by the Constitution. And the North refused to offer the South it's right and protections under that Constitution.

That was the sole reason.

Quantrill

Show where slavery is protected in the Constitution

Slavery was delegated to the states

 

[Zincwarrior]

Lincoln was really all for war. And the proof is he invaded VA

After the traitors bombed a US base.

If the traitors win millions continue to be rape murdered. If the traitors lose, they don't.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I asked 'was he'? Which means I may not agree. So he needs to tell me since he made the accusation. But, since you're so interested, feel free to inform me.

Quantrill

You responded to my post. Who is this "he"?

I asked the source of your username, and you have refused to answer the question. Is something wrong with you mentally that you cannot understand the question? If not just say you refuse to answer and we will all put you on ignore for being an asshole!

 

[Quantrill]

Your Google must be broken

Lincoln went to war after Sumter
Stupid on the part of the South

Lincoln started the war at Sumter.

The first act of war was Anderson moving to Sumter from Moultrie, against the agreement made, while negotiations of the forts was taking place.

Then the next act of war, was the refusal to send Anderson back to Moultrie, when S. Carolina gave them the opportunity to avoid war.

Then the next act of war was to send the Star of the West to reinforce Sumter with troops, arms, and supplies.

Then later Lincoln took command and sent other ships to reinforce Sumter,

As far as the first 'shooting' act of the war, one could always point to John Browns invasion of Virginia.

Not stupid on the part of the South. You can't let the enemy remain in your country and reinforce it at will. Best to take care of him now while you can.

Quantrill

 

[Zincwarrior]

Lincoln started the war at Sumter.

A literal lie. Traitors started it. Americans finished it. As an American you should be happy.

 

[Quantrill]

You responded to my post. Who is this "he"?

I asked the source of your username, and you have refused to answer the question. Is something wrong with you mentally that you cannot understand the question? If not just say you refuse to answer and we will all put you on ignore for being an asshole!

You responded to a post of mine directed toward another. Consider that and you will understand the 'he'. It's not difficult.

See post #(196) and (248)

Quantrill