The Lost Cause: Debunking the Myth and Refuting the Misconceptions

Recently, the topic of the Lost Cause has resurfaced, particularly with concerns regarding the voting rights of illegals and the alleged violations of the Constitution by some states. This article aims to address these concerns, challenge the prevailing narrative of the Lost Cause, and provide a more accurate historical context.

What Is the Lost Cause?

The Lost Cause is a term often used to describe a set of historical narratives that emerged in the years following the American Civil War, seeking to justify the Confederacy’s fight for independence and provide a sanitized version of the Southern cause. Critics argue that this narrative is a pack of lies, fundamentally undermining the truth about slavery as the main cause of the war, how slaves were treated, and the true motivations behind the conflict.

Challenging the Prejudiced Narrative

According to noted historian, Karl Burkhalter, 'the so-called “lost cause” is a prejorative created by post 60’s historians to discredit any defence of Southern history.' Burkhalter asserts that the term 'Lost Cause Myth' itself is driven by those who are more committed to ideology than to the actual facts of history.

President Jefferson Davis' Perspective

President Jefferson Davis himself provides a compelling counterpoint. He believed that the cause for which the South fought was not merely a regional issue but one of constitutional government, the supremacy of law, and the natural rights of man. In his farewell address to the Senate, Davis stated, '“When the cause was lost, what cause was it? Not that of the South only, but the cause of constitutional government, of the supremacy of law, and the rights of man.”'

The Real Lincoln and the Civil War

Understanding the true motivations of President Lincoln and the nature of the Civil War is crucial. The popular narrative often attributes the war to a struggle for the abolition of slavery. However, extensive historical documentation and analysis challenge this perspective.

Thomas DiLorenzo in 'The REAL LINCOLN' and 'LINCOLN UNMASKED' provides detailed evidence that Lincoln’s primary aim was to preserve the Union, not to end slavery. DiLorenzo’s work exposes the great lie of the Civil War, revealing that Lincoln’s actions were often far more complex than a simple desire to abolish slavery.

Kennedy Shotwell and Charles Mitcham Jr. in 'MYTHS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY' and 'IT WASN’T ABOUT SLAVERY' present evidence that Lincoln’s initial stance was not to interfere with slavery where it existed. Their research highlights the complexity of the issue and the competing reasons behind Lincoln’s policies.

Lochlainn Seabrooke in 'EVERYTHING YOU WERE TAUGHT ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR IS WRONG' further complicates this narrative by providing a comprehensive look at the various debates and documents that undermine the simplified view of the Civil War as a straightforward fight for freedom.

Historical Documentation and Evidence

Several key documents and sources provide invaluable insights into the true nature of the Civil War:

The Corwin Amendment, which promised the seceding states the protection of slavery in perpetuity if they ended the “secesion crisis” and returned to the Union, highlights the Confederacy’s primary objective.

The Crittenden-Johnson Declaration of July 1861 states clearly that Lincoln’s war was not being waged to end slavery, further reinforcing the idea that the Confederate cause was more about states’ rights and constitutional freedoms.

In the end, Lincoln’s famous “war measure,” the Emancipation Proclamation, was envisioned as a strategic move to gain support from England and France and to incite a slave rebellion. However, as history shows, the effort largely failed.

Conclusion

The Lost Cause narrative is based on a complex set of misunderstandings and misconceptions. By examining historical documents and the broader context of the Civil War, we can begin to challenge this narrative and understand the real causes and motivations behind the conflict. That is not to say that the issue of slavery was not a critical element in the war, but rather that the simplistic narrative often perpetuated does not fully capture the historical complexities.

Further resources for those interested in delving deeper include:

Lincoln’s debates and inaugural address, which clearly state his belief that the federal government did not have the power or the will to interfere with slavery where it existed.

President Davis’ inaugural addresses, which provide insight into his view of the Confederacy’s constitutional and moral defense.

The true historical documentation tells a more nuanced and profound story about the Civil War and the Lost Cause.