The Coming of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Coming of the Emancipation Proclamation
By PAUL FINKELMAN


Lincoln told Welles the issue was one of military necessity. “We must free the slaves” he said, “or be ourselves subdued.” Slaves, Lincoln argued “were undeniably an element of strength to those who had their service, and we must decide whether that element should be with us or against us.” Lincoln also rejected the idea that the Constitution still protected slavery in the Confederacy.The rebels,” he said, “could not at the same time throw off the Constitution and invoke its aid. Having made war on the Government, they were subject to the incidents and calamities of war.”

Lincoln had found a constitutional theory that would be acceptable to most Northerners. Regardless of how they felt about slavery or the constitutional power of the federal government, few were willing to come to the defense of the rebels. And in any case, the legal questions were largely moot: until the war ended with a Union victory, the South couldn’t very easily challenge the proclamation in court. After decades of political and constitutional stalemate over slavery, Lincoln had figured out a path toward freedom for millions of men and women in bondage.

Documenting the American South.

Documenting the American South

Documenting the American South (DocSouth) is a digital publishing initiative that provides Internet access to texts, images, and audio files related to southern history, literature, and culture. Currently DocSouth includes sixteen thematic collections of books, diaries, posters, artifacts, letters, oral history interviews, and songs.

The University Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sponsors Documenting the American South, and the texts and materials come primarily from its southern holdings. The UNC University Library is committed to the long-term availability of these collections and their online records. An editorial board guides development of this digital library.

What's up with Memphis Blues Again?

Copyright © 2012 Bob R Bogle

I've not posted here in a while.  That's not due to my lack of interest in this novel, but because of intrusive ebooks.

I recently published my first book, a literary biography called Frank Herbert:  The Works.  I'm presently in the process of rewriting two science fiction novels I wrote several years ago in order to publish them as well, at least as ebooks, and possibly also print on demand.  Their names are Cerberus and There the Weary be at Rest.

I'm also preparing for a trip to New Orleans, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas, which should very much jump-start Memphis Blues Again.

Until later, here's a NOLA picture I just came across online.