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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Civil War Talk > The People of the Civil War > R.E. Lee and slavery |
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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Civil War Talk > The People of the Civil War > R.E. Lee and slavery |
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| R.E. Lee and slavery | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10th, 2008 12:40 am |
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1st Post |
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pamc153PA Member
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Hi folks. I've recently read an article in this month's Civil War Times about Lee and his feelings about slavery, written by Elizabeth Brown Pryor. In it, she not only tries to nail down how Lee truly felt about slavery, based on his writings and his treatment of his own slaves, but she seems bent on trying to prove that Lee was not the South's version of "The Great Emancipator." I thought it was a compelling article, but I was a little confused that it had to be proven that Lee was pro-slavery, if you will. I am not a Lee scholar, true, but I always considered that Lee was a product of his times and of his social and economic status--and his geography. I'll admit I am fascinated by Lee, and hold some admiration for him, for his religion, his adherence to his principles, and that. In this respect, I'll admit to wanting to place perhaps Northern anti-slavery ideals on him--"how could such an intelligent, moral, religious man feel that slavery was morally right?"--even knowing that they are MY views, and in the end, Lee is STILL a product of his time period. Still, I think that even this makes Lee more fascinating to me. Have I missed the basic thought in CW circles that Lee was NOT for slavery? I don't want to debate the right and wrong of slavery here, but is my premise that Lee almost HAD to be pro-slavery based on who he was, and his actions and words to that effect should not be a surprise wrong? Thoughts, please! Pam Last edited on Wed Dec 10th, 2008 12:40 am by pamc153PA |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10th, 2008 01:48 am |
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2nd Post |
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Crazy Delawares Member 
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Pam, assuming that the article was written with an open mind, it would appear RE Lee was a supporter of slavery. I read the article as well. That said, I would not doubt that there were others who were anti-slavery BUT, still maintained the racial prejudices of that day. One might even place our beloved President Lincoln in that category. I think I should like to see more than just one magazine article on Lee and his view(s) concerning African-Americans before I make up my mind concerning Lee. There is evidence that he had no problem mixing with the ex-slaves as well. Ex.-Taking communion next to a black man at his church's alter.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10th, 2008 02:28 am |
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3rd Post |
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ole Member 
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I'm convinced that Lee, personally, didn't much care for slavery as a moral right. But, like many others of his time, he worried that the black man was not ready for American Civilization. In other words, he was torn between what he considered to be a moral wrong and charitable concern for the sub-human for whom he bore a responsibility. He had owned slaves and got rid of them. Then he was given another batch in his father-in-law's will do free within five years -- after he had met the terms of the will paying off debts and passing on some monetary grants. It had to have been tough. He didn't quite get to complying exactly with the will, but he tried. So, in effect, Lee was a slaveowner, however reluctant. The debts to be paid were largely paid by renting out the slaves in his charge (Note: not owned; in his charge.) If he hadn't been so busy with the war, I figure he would have discharged his obligation and there would never again have been a slave on his property. Can we say he was a reluctant slaveowner? Kinda the same as Jefferson: lost the justification, but couldn't get past the "what to do." A quandary for many more than just them. Ole
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| Posted: Sat Jul 18th, 2009 01:24 pm |
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4th Post |
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Naim Peress Member
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So it is true that Lee freed his own slaves before the war? I had read that somewhere.
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