XXVI. The Status of the Controversy Regarding Slavery at the Time Virginia Seceded from the Union 185
XXVII. The Status of the Controversy Regarding Slavery at the Time Virginia Seceded from the Union. Concluded 193
XXVIII. The Attitude of Certain Northern States 201
XXIX. The Attitude of Certain Northern States. Concluded 206
XXXII. The Abolitionists and Disunion. Concluded 225
XXXIII. The Emancipation Proclamations and the Virginia People 230
VIRGINIA DID NOT SECEDE FROM A WANTON DESIRE TO DESTROY THE UNION, OR FROM HOSTILITY TO THE IDEALS OF ITS FOUNDERS
XXXIV. Virginia's Part in the Revolution 237
XXXV. Virginia's Part in Making the Union under the Constitution 242
XXXVI. Virginia's Efforts to Promote Reconciliation and Union in 1861 248
XXXVII. The People of Virginia Declare for Union 255
THE ATTEMPT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COERCE THE COTTON STATES—THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF VIRGINIA'S SECESSION
XXXVIII. The Coercion of the Cotton States— Virginia's Position 263
XXXIX. The Contest in the Virginia Convention for and against Secession 269
XL. The Contest in the Virginia Convention for and against Secession. Concluded 277
XLI. The Attempted Reinforcement of Fort Sumter and its Significance 284
XLII. The Attempt to Coerce the Cotton States Impels Virginia to Secede 290
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VIRGINIA'S ATTITUDE TOWARD SLAVERY AND SECESSION DEFINED
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The story of the American Civil War presents a subject fraught with interest, not destined to die with the passing years. Even the finality of the verdict then rendered on the issues joined will not abate the desire of men to fix with precision the political and ethical questions involved and the motives which impelled the participants in that deplorable tragedy. The sword may determine the boundaries of empire or the political destinies of a people, but the great assize of the world's thought and conscience tries again and again the merits of controversies and brings victor and vanquished to the bar of its increasingly fair and discriminating judgment.
What was the character of the War? Though one of the greatest wars of modern times, having its rise and fall before the eyes of all the world, yet men are to-day in doubt as to the true term by which to describe it.