"We the victors must stamp on all history that we were right and they were wrong - that we beat them in Battle as well as in argument."
- William Tecumseh Sherman, Commanding General of the United States Army
36-40, F
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beckyromero · 36-40, F
@Bumbles
Yes.
Too many politicians were worried that because Jefferson Davis committed his treason (joining the Confederacy) while in Richmond that a civilian court (made up of Richmond citizens) would have acquitted him. They were worried that the Courts might recognize seccession by saying Davis was no longer a citizen. (Which is really a weak argument. It's like saying Benedict Arnold didn't commit treason because he switched sides.)
Nowhere in the U.S. Constutition does it say states may succeed. There is no provision in it for doing so. The Constitution does allow for amendments. That would have been the legal way to provide for seccession. But the South did not go that route. Instead, it self-proclaimed seccession and then launched an attack on the U.S. military.
One solution would have been trying Davis and others by military courts for war crimes.
Lee should have been held responsible for war crimes, principally the execution of prisoners of war.
President Johnson was the biggest problem. Had he let officers like Gen. Sheridan run the occupation it need not last anywhere near 50 years.
The US pulled its punches unfortunately
Yes.
Too many politicians were worried that because Jefferson Davis committed his treason (joining the Confederacy) while in Richmond that a civilian court (made up of Richmond citizens) would have acquitted him. They were worried that the Courts might recognize seccession by saying Davis was no longer a citizen. (Which is really a weak argument. It's like saying Benedict Arnold didn't commit treason because he switched sides.)
Nowhere in the U.S. Constutition does it say states may succeed. There is no provision in it for doing so. The Constitution does allow for amendments. That would have been the legal way to provide for seccession. But the South did not go that route. Instead, it self-proclaimed seccession and then launched an attack on the U.S. military.
One solution would have been trying Davis and others by military courts for war crimes.
Lee should have been held responsible for war crimes, principally the execution of prisoners of war.
President Johnson was the biggest problem. Had he let officers like Gen. Sheridan run the occupation it need not last anywhere near 50 years.
Bumbles · 51-55, M
@beckyromero Indeed. The spirit of “reconciliation” haunts the US to this day.
