Had the Southern States tried to forcibly take over the United States Government the charge of treason might have some basis in truth, but this did not occur. The South voluntarily left the Union when they decided that the Union was not acting in their best interest. For four months after the secession of the Southern States the Confederate Government tried to negotiate an amicable settlement with the United States, concerning Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina and Fort Pinkney in Pensacola, Florida. The northern Government refused to meet with emissaries from these Southern States reasoning that by negotiating with representatives of the Confederate States of America they would be admitting that the CSA was a separate and lawful government. Understanding this predicament the Confederate States government instructed their emissaries to request an audience as representatives of their individual States. They were again rebuffed and Lincoln refused to meet with them. The Confederate States wished to avoid armed conflict at almost any cost. Being in the center of Charleston harbor, Fort Sumter was in a position to prevent trade in South Carolinas busiest port. Fortunately, only a small force occupied the Fort and could only do minimal damage to shipping. Knowing this, Lincoln bypassed Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, and mounted a naval force to reinforce Fort Sumter. Besides being an unconstitutional usurpation of the powers by the President, it was an act of war against the State of South Carolina or the Confederate States government, depending on how you look at it. If Jefferson Davis, the Commander in Chief of the Confederate Forces and President of the Confederate States of America could not be tried for Treason due to lack of evidence, then why are charges that the Confederates were traitors to their country still being used today? I dont know where he got this! Gary.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 22:55:27 +0000
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