Apostles of Disunion

APOSTLES OF DISUNION

  • Title: Southern Secession Commissioners and the Causes of the Civil War

  • Author: Charles B. Dew

  • Publisher: University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville and London

  • Edition: Fifteenth Anniversary Edition

Introduction

  • The author identifies as a Southerner, with personal ties to the Confederacy

  • Growing up with a romanticized view of the Civil War and reverence for figures like Stonewall Jackson

  • Initially believed that the South seceded solely for states' rights, influenced by childhood readings

  • The writing of this book was both difficult and painful for the author, confronting themes of secession and racism

  • Early exposure to secession commissioners' rhetoric made the author reconsider his earlier beliefs about the war's causes

Purpose of the Book

  • Examines the messages that the secession commissioners conveyed in late 1860 and early 1861

  • Acknowledges the complexity of causes behind secession, supported by extensive scholarship on the topic

  • Recognizes the importance of understanding these messages for a deeper comprehension of American history and progress towards racial justice

Civil War's Origin and Controversy

  • Key Question: What important issue led to the Civil War?

    • Options: "Slavery or states' rights" according to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)

  • The choice of terms reflects ongoing ambivalence and division in American culture regarding this historical event

  • No consensus among the public or scholars about the war's causes despite clear sequential events leading to conflict

Timeline of Secession

  • Events Leading to Secession:

    • Seven southern states seceded following Lincoln's election in 1860:

      • South Carolina: December 20, 1860

      • Texas: February 1, 1861

  • Formation of the Confederate States of America through conventions in Montgomery, Alabama

  • Triggering incident: Attack on Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861, leading to further states joining the Confederacy

Causes of Secession

  • Core Inquiry: Why did southern states secede following Lincoln's election?

  • Historical context includes conflicts over slavery and states' rights as central themes

  • Cultural Factors: Influence of concepts like honor and perceptions of Northern aggression

  • Notable scholars (such as Michael F. Holt, J. Mills Thornton III) point to these complexities

Contemporary Reflections on Civil War

  • Public Memory and Interpretations:

    • Ongoing debates about Confederate symbols and their implications in modern society

    • Virginia and South Carolina controversies over monuments and historical recognition reflect tensions connected to the Civil War legacy

The Role of Secession Commissioners

  • Appointment and Task:

    • Five southern states appointed commissioners to promote secession

    • Aimed to persuade other slave states to join the cause

  • Characteristics of Commissioners:

    • Typically lesser-known figures rather than prominent politicians; included judges, lawyers, and community leaders

  • Impact of Their Messages:

    • Speeches and letters from these commissioners provide insight into the motivations behind secession

    • Their rhetoric was frank, raw, and targeted their fellow Southerners, revealing the sense of urgency among secessionists

  • Few historians have adequately analyzed these documents, despite their significance in understanding the secessionist mindset

  • These communications help answer the critical question about the Civil War's underlying issues

Conclusion

  • The speeches and letters of the secession commissioners illuminate the causes of disunion

  • An exploration of their words reflects the tension and emotions that motivated Southern states to pursue secession.