I changed the subect heading because all the Re: and Fw: and Re:Fw: was
giving me a headache.


Since we started off on the subject of what would happen if the south
seceded "peacefully," let me ponder on that a moment.  I understand that
changes in circumstances would lead to changing mores -- but how long
would that take?  The immediate circumstance of refugee African-Americans
coming into the US would create social and economic tensions that would
have to be resolved.  Would state governments undertake this? would the
federal government?  The constitutional point becomes all the more
germane -- was there support for extending full citizenship to a
burgeoning black population that would emerge?  I'm sure true liberals
like Thaddeus Stevens would have made the effort, but again, just how
long could it take?  And what of other forces that would have dictated
against it?  Even Lincoln was unsure about the possibilities of
integrating blacks and whites into the same society right up to the war
(I've always liked Lawanda Cox's idea that Lincoln underwent a
abolitionist conversion experience at that point).

David Kiracofe

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