Before we continue, we need to define exactly what a “nation” is. Let’s start by looking at an example. The Cherokee Nation is a group of people living within the borders of the united States of America, yet they are known as a “nation”, and are recognized as such by law. So what makes them a nation? Is it a geographical area with clearly defined borders? No. Did they win through military victory? No, they were conquered militarily just as The South was. Is it international recognition? No, they have no ambassadors and conduct no foreign policy. No, it is none of these. What makes the Cherokee Nation a nation is that they are a homogeneous group of people sharing a similar background with a generally common ancestry.
Let’s look at how the word “Nation” was defined in the earliest published dictionary – Websters American Dictionary of The English Language published in 1828:
1. A body of people inhabiting the same country, or united under the same sovereign or government; as in the English nation; the French nation. It often happens that many nations are subject to one government; in which case,the word nation usually denotes a body of people speaking the same language, or a body that has formerly been under a distinct government, but has been conquered, or incorporated with a larger nation. Thus the empire of Russia comprehends many nations, as did formerly the Roman and Persian empires. Nation, as its etymology imports, originally denoted a family or race of men descended from a common progenitor, like tribe, but by emigration, conquest and intermixture of men of different families, this distinction is in most countries lost.Can anyone reasonably claim that those of us who recognize The South as our homeland are any less of a nation than the Indian tribes? Not anyone who has given the matter any thought. There are, of course, those who will scoff at the notion of The South currently existing as a nation. Their reasoning however, is little more than a churlish, “You lost – get over it”. The South may no longer have a political structure and an agreed-upon name, such as the Confederate States of America, but we are still a unique people who fit the definition of “nation”. Just as many of the Cherokee people have spread out from the reservations and others now live among them, they are still here. The Southern people have lost the high concentration of a homogeneous people that we once had, but we are still here.
Once we understand that we are a nation and not just a scattering of people whose ancestors shared the dream of a new and politically independent nation, then the symbols of our heritage become not just dusty relics of history, but the national symbols of a distinct people. They become a national symbol every bit as much as the eagle is the symbol of the united States of America.
What then becomes the point of actually being a nation? In today’s world, not very much. In tomorrow’s world, perhaps something very different. In the mean time, we need to understand that the Confederate flag and other symbols of our Southern nation should be treated with the same respect and honor that the flag of the united States or any other nation is given.
It is true that, although the Confederate armed forces formally surrendered, the government never surrendered, never formally disbanded, and was never dissolved. It just faded into the mist. Does that mean that “The South Will Rise Again” as a reconstituted Confederate States of America? No, probably not – at least not as a political entity. The spirit of The South is another matter though.
As long as the Southern nation lives in the hearts of those who cherish the honor and the chivalry and the beauty of Southern culture, then The South has indeed risen.
The Confederate Colonel
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"As long as the Southern nation lives in the hearts of those who cherish the honor and the chivalry and the beauty of Southern culture, then The South has indeed risen."
"Truth crushed to the earth is truth still and like a seed will rise again"--Jefferson Davis
The US Empire is moribund. The cultural differences between red and blue states has never been sharper. The post 1865 "Nation" has overextended militarily and economically.
I hope and work for Southern Independence from the United States of America.
In my mind, the constitutionally legal secessions in 1860-1861 were done by sovereign entities, which reconstituted into a new confederation out of expedient military necessity, as well as cultural kinship. These independent States were, like the Indian nations afterwards, conquered by the United States government.
Moreover, there was never a repeat State convention in a seceded state to re-ratify the US Constitution. As stated, the Davis administration and Confederate States Army disintegrated, but never capitulated politically to the United States.
Therefore, whether or not anyone acknowledges it politically, the Confederate States of America exists today, de jure. This has never been put to a legal test, and is unlikely to get an impartial hearing by any US federal court today.
Demographically, I worry for the future of an independent South based on the Confederate States government. Culturally Southern people are numerous, but at a disadvantage of declining birth rate. Infiltration of non-Southern cultural groups from North and South of their traditional border further dilute cultural Southerners within their borders. A relentless campaign at de-legitimization of Southern culture is on going, through the mainstream media, public schools, and entertainment companies towing the politically correct line. This is an effort to make Southern kids think of their heritage with disgust, and it works, sad to say.
As I have posted previously, it is important for the Southern independence movement to broaden its target audience to include all Southern born ethnic groups, at least those more than two generations settled in the South, where the culture has had time to blend with the non-native cultural elements. The third generation hispanic or transplanted northerner now thinks of the South as "home," or will recognize kinship with native culturally Southrons when the similarities are explained.
The left and right wing Southerners can be attracted in one way only, however: libertarianism. If they know that their new government will not be legislating an official religion, or specific issues like abortion, or other ideas that will polarize the population, they will recognize the inherent Freedom in such a system. Local and State laws can be passed that protect individuals, born and unborn, and private property rights, as the people in those locales see fit. This is the essence of de-Centralized government, and I believe, our best hope at attracting the largest following to our Cause. It is the breath of fresh air most non-Yankee Americans have been yearning to breathe.
As the economic situation deteriorates, our opportunity to make inroads in recruiting the newer Southerners, and convince culturally poisoned native Southerners that their interests lie locally, and not with the remote corporatist oligarchy in Washington that has destroyed their chance at prosperity.
Deo Vindice.
Did the South ever really fall? Or did they simply lay down their arms to keep from having more of their families, their loved ones, killed, burned out of their homes, or run off their own land? Sherman showed what Lincoln and the Federal government were willing to do if the South continued to resist. I certainly cannot blame Lee for conceding defeat in order to save what was left.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, had he known what the South would suffer during the "Reconstruction" (anything like a "Transformation"? Like "Hope and Change"?), he might have been willing to fight on. I respect some of the small units that did.