Stephens, Alexander
Please post your comments and suggestions for this article.
Comment by Rod on July 16th, 2022 at 9:37 pm
You say some things about Alexander Stephens that are not correct:
“He was also a staunch supporter of slavery and was dedicated to affirming white supremacy. Stephens was deeply convinced that blacks were inherently inferior to whites and would never be fitted for equality.”
Both of these claims are not true. He was not a “staunch supporter of slavery.” He said in a Texas speech in 1845, “I am no defender of slavery in the abstract —liberty always had charms for me, and I would prefer to see all the sons and daughters of Adam’s family in the full enjoyment of all the rights set forth in the Declaration of American Independence…”
And he was not “convinced that blacks were inherently inferior to whites and would never be fitted for equality.” In his so called “Cornerstone Speech” he said that blacks could be educated and assimilated into civilized Christian society, “We hear much of the civilization and Christianization of the barbarous tribes of Africa. In my judgment, those ends will never be attained, but by first teaching them the lesson taught to Adam, that ‘in the sweat of his brow he should eat his bread,’ and teaching them to work, and feed, and clothe themselves…”
It was Abraham Lincoln who believed blacks were inherently inferior and would never be able to exist on equal terms in white society:
“There is a physical difference between the white and black races, which I believe, will forever forbid the two races from living together on terms of social and political equality.”
Comment by Jennifer Tanabe on July 17th, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Thank you, Rod, for your comment.
It appears that you have a point that the statements in our article are somewhat misleading, and therefore they will be revised. On the other hand, your statements also do not give the whole picture. Your quote from the Texas speech in incomplete. The sentence continues “if a stern necessity, bearing the marks and impress of the Creator Himself, did not, in some cases, interpose and prevent.” In his “Cornerstone Speech” he notes “Not so with the negro. Subordination is his place. He, by nature, or by the curse against Canaan, is fitted for that condition which he occupies in our system.” Thus, the statement in our article “He began as a moderate defender of slavery, but later accepted all of the prevailing Southern rationales used to defend the institution” (including Biblical arguments) seems correct.
As already noted, I will review our article in greater detail with your comments in mind, and make revisions where appropriate.
Thank you again for taking the time to help make NWE a valuable information resource.
Comment by Rod on November 2nd, 2023 at 12:40 pm
I do not think the omitted portion of the Texas speech means the black race as a whole. Stephens was well aware that people of all races included some unable to exercise on their own the rights set forth in the Dec of Ind.
And you cannot ignore the plain fact that Stephens “subordination of the negro” is later qualified to be a temporary state of nature that could be elevated by “teaching them the lesson taught to Adam, that ‘in the sweat of his brow he should eat his bread,’ and teaching them to work, and feed, and clothe themselves…” Obviously Stephens disagreed with Lincoln that the inequality between the races was “permanent.”
Comment by Jennifer Tanabe on November 28th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Thank you for your comment.
The causes of the Civil War are complex, and Stephens’ speech is problematic.
Indeed, he did mention that education, as in “the lesson taught to Adam,” was in his opinion the only way to “civilize” the “barbarous” Africans.
The article will be reviewed and revised as appropriate.
Thank you again for taking the time to help make NWE a valuable information resource.
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