Abbeville and Scottish Secession

Friends of the Abbeville Institute:

Scotland voted "No" to independence.  The media will have you believe this was a crushing victory.  After all, only 45 percent of the Scottish people voted for secession.  We should flip that on its head.  45 percent of the nearly 90 percent of eligible voters voted FOR self-determination.  The "No" vote barely won, and the aftermath is going to be dramatic.  Several European secession movements have used the publicity of the Scottish referendum to push their own cause. Among these are the Flemish in Belgium, Catalonia in Spain, the Veneto and Lombardy in Italy, Bavaria in Germany, and many more.

The time of the large "indivisible" unitary state is over. A new demand for self-government has emerged either in the form of political independence or for "quasi-independence" in the form of greater state or provincial autonomy. Quebec failed to secede in 1995 in a close vote of 51-49.  As a consequence, Quebec received sufficient autonomy so that, for the moment, there is little interest in secession.

Scotland will certainly gain in self-government because of this referendum. Indeed, they were promised a "devolution revolution" in exchange for a "no" vote. Whether that will satisfy the discontents that forced the referendum or whether the expanded exercise of self government will simply spark a greater desire for independence remains to be seen. Westminster gave Scotland its parliament in 1998. That was supposed to satisfy secessionist discontents. But this expanded exercise of self government only strengthened them.

The referendum was a peaceful assertion of the natural right of self-determination.  No bullets were fired.  No Molotov-cocktails were lobbed at police.  No teargas canisters or dogs were deployed. Independence lost, but it will be back, and not just in Scotland. British prime minister David Cameron should be commended for allowing the referendum. I should add that the Canadian supreme court has ruled that every Canadian province has the right to a referendum on secession at public expense whenever it pleases.

The Drudge Report recently ran an article from REUTERS which "shockingly" exposed increasing American acceptance of secession. Twenty-five percent of Americans, on both the Left and the Right, support the idea of secession for their State.  This is an important and growing trend.

State nullification and secession are fundamental principles in the Constitution as understood by the Jeffersonians who, more or less, dominated the Union from Jefferson's election in 1800 to South Carolina's secession December 20, 1861. Of the New England secession movements (1804-1814), Jefferson said in 1816: "If any state in the Union will declare that it prefers separation ... to a continuance in union ... I have no hesitation in saying, 'let us separate.'"

If anyone is an American,Jefferson is.That State secession from the first has been a vital part of the American tradition has been suppressed by mainline historians since 1865 as a "Southern heresy." It is true Southerners acted upon it, but there is nothing especially "Southern" or "Confederate" about it.

The right of secession is a timeless principle, memorably asserted in the Declaration of Independence, and is as applicable to an American state today as it is to Scotland, Catalonia, or the Veneto; or as it was to Norway which seceded from Sweden in 1905, or to Singapore which seceded from the Malaysian federation in 1967, or as it was to the 15 states that seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991. Whether it would be good for a State to secede is a practical question for the future. But the question can no longer be suppressed by the fiction that the American federation of States is "indivisible."

Though secession is not a Southern heresy, as presented by main stream scholars, it is true that the Southern tradition alone has preserved this Jeffersonian part of the American tradition. The Abbeville Institute is the keeper of the Jeffersonian tradition. If you value that tradition and wish to have a deeper intellectual grasp of it and its place in the broader American tradition, please lend your support to the Abbeville Institute.

Our goal is to explore what is true and valuable in the Southern tradition, including the Jeffersonian principle of secession. George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were secessionists.  Southerners were the last Americans to attempt independence.  A loss by force of arms does not invalidate the natural right of political self-government.  People all over the world are realizing this.

For as little as an annual gift of $50, you can help in our effort to gain a deeper understanding of the Southern tradition and what that tradition intimates for us today. All donations to the Abbeville Institute are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. They will be used to maintain our website and provide educational programs for college students, scholars in higher education, and the general public. Please go to www.abbevilleinstitute.org,click the link for donations and choose a sponsorship level. Or mail check to Abbeville Instittute, P.O.Box 10, McClellanville, SC 29458.

Sincerely,

Donald W. Livingston
President, The Abbeville Institute
donlivingston45@gmail.com

CMDs McCallister & Walters along with Compatriot Freddy Walters Ride with the Hard Core Confederates for Charity

Tampa, Fl.  Saturday Sept 20, 2014

On a wet & overcast morning 3 Compatriots of the Judah P. Benjamin camp 2210 SCV joined ranks with fellow Southerners of  the 301 chapter Hard Core Confederates to raise money for a stricken family. While the Benjamin camp’s Bonnie Blue Vette was not able to venture out into threatening  weather, greatly disappointing CMD McCallister, the Capt Dickerson Gray Ghost Javelin with its Dixie horns a blazing carried the Benjamin members during the 75 mile round trip Poker Run event.

We visited a number of local “refreshment” stops during this Poker Run between east Tampa and Zephyrhills with 50/50 raffles, poker hands and drawings at each stop, offering a chance to win cash and prizes, with the cash winners donating their prizes back to the pot to benefit the recipient. As a camp, we donated 3 “gator tails,” strips of gator leather consisting of the end of the tagged tail,  a couple of finished alligator leather items and 8lbs of fresh Alabama gator meat (Mobile Bay gator), raising about $75 for the cause.

The recipient of the fundraising is Stephanie Swartz, a young lady of 21 who suffers from psychogenic seizures as a result of Epilepsy and other related maladies including autism. To add to her woes, her stepfather was recently diagnosed with cancer & is undergoing radiation treatment creating a financial strain upon the family, inducing the band of Brothers of the Hard Core Confederates to organize a day of fun and relief. Our best wishes goes out to the Swartz family and a thank you to J.D. Spivey and the Hard Core Confederates for organizing this mission.

Anyone wishing to donate to this worthy family may do so by visiting the Hard Core Confederates website at: http://hardcoreconfederates.com/page_1opening.html 

Capt. Phil Walters

GatorGuides.com

Dixie Gator Trappers

Sponsor: Capt. JJ Dickison (CS)  "Grey Ghost" 1971 AMC Javelin

1^st Lt Commander J.P. Benjamin camp 2210 SCV

National Rifle Association-Life member

Safari Club International-Life member

Sons of Confederate Veterans--Life member

Ole Miss and the New Bigots

By Ben Jones

The brilliant editor H.L. Mencken had a way of being succinct that sparkled with wit. "There is no idea so stupid that you can't find a professor who will believe it," he remarked.  Mencken would have a field day with the recent actions of the University of Mississippi. If you have ever wondered why academia is often the butt of ridicule and humor, you need only to read the report from Ole Miss President Dan Jones entitled, "Action Plan on Consultant Reports and Update on the Work of the Sensitivity and Respect Committee."

We are told that the Extended Sensitivity and Respect Committee has decided that the new Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion will work with the Institute for Racial Diversity and the new Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement.

Fellow compatriots, I am not making this up. This is not a satire, this is what the taxpayers of Mississippi are dishing out their hard-earned money to pay for.

President Jones further stated, "It is my hope that the steps outlined here reflecting the hard work of University committees and our consultants will prove valuable in making us a stronger and healthier university, bringing us closer to our goal of being a warm and welcoming place for every person, every day, regardless of race, religion, preference, country of origin, ability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or gender expression."

In my opinion, this is an as astounding a demonstration of politically correct, "feel-good", unadulterated hogwash as has ever been uttered by a man on the public payroll. And having spent four years in the United States Congress, I have heard some world-class hogwash in my day.

President Jones, sounding a lot like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, has listed every possible group that might be sensitive to not being "included" in this unlimited "diversity", even one I've never heard of: "gender expression." Well, whatever that means, I figure it is o.k. if one expresses their gender at Ole Miss.

There is one very large group that is not included, however. It is those of us whose ancestors fought for the Confederacy during the War Between the States. There are over 70 million of us, but it is as if we do not exist, or have deep feelings toward our forefathers.

In fact, without a straightforward explanation, the famous Oxford street named Confederate Drive is being renamed by these academics in the name of "inclusion". That intentional insult puts the lie to any pretense of "inclusion" or of respect or of diversity on the part of the University of Mississippi.

The Confederacy existed. Thousands of young Mississippians died for it. That conflict has been the crucible event of American history. Everything before led up to it. Everything after has been influenced by it.

The entire student body of the University of Mississippi enlisted in the Confederate Army and those young men suffered 100% casualties. That war is an historical reality and we do not flinch from that reality and its consequences. Those men and their descendants built the University and kept it going through good times and bad, and through the social changes of the past 150 years.

That street was named for those brave young students. The University, in its narrow-minded rush to be politically correct, has banished that little bit of respect by renaming Confederate Drive. In their sanctimonious zeal, they have demeaned the honor and reputation of our ancestors.

In the last fifty years or so we have witnessed a truly remarkable revolution in race relations in the South. Where once there was Jim Crow and strict segregation, there is now a multi-cultural society that has the fastest growing economy in the United States. Men and women of good hearts have come together in brotherhood and cooperation to enjoy racial relations that are an exemplar for other regions. This "bridge-building" has been built on an acceptance of the past and the promise of a shared future, not the divisive finger-pointing of the academics and the politicians.

These politically correct crusaders are practicing a new kind of bigotry. It is a movement that demonizes the Confederacy and lays the sins of America entirely upon the South. If they continue to have their way, they would eradicate every vestige of our cultural history. They ask for respect but give none.

Once again, we must make our voices heard in every way possible. We must demand the respect that our families deserve. We are the last line of defense for the dignity that our ancestors earned.

SCV Telegraph

Christmas in Fayetteville, 1864 – A Sesquicentennial Observance

The North Carolina War Between the States Sesquicentennial Commission Presents:

“Christmas in Fayetteville, 1864 – A Sesquicentennial Observance”

Saturday, 13 December 2014 – Heritage Square

225 Dick Street, Fayetteville

1PM-4:30PM; 6:30PM-9PM

General Admission $5 at the door

Special Evening Candlelight tours - $10; Children $5

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Enjoy a special day of north carolina-focused living history displays and exhibits!

north carolina infantry and artillery reenactors/interpreters in static display 1864 mayor archibald mclean of Fayetteville will preside over the occasion antebellum north carolina christmas traditions interpreted by reenactor kelly hinson the war on the home front interpreted by acclaimed north carolina author brenda mckean wartime hospital exhibit and medical treatment interpreters period north Carolina civilian & military attire encouraged hot cider, eggnog and warm cornbread

unique narrated evening candlelight tours of heritage square historic buildings!

Our two-hour supper break will enable all to enjoy the hay street restaurants!

Corporate sponsorships of the event are still available – contact e.kennebeck@aol.com

For more information – bernhard1848@gmail.com

Former Congressman Ben "Cooter" Jones Defends Southern Heritage Against Political Correctness

WASHINGTON, Va., Sept. 4, 2014 -- AN OPEN LETTER TO HERO DOGS, INC. OF BROOKEVILLE, MARYLAND

Dear Desma J. Wade and Jennifer Lund,

Recently, members of our organization, Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV), made a contribution to your organization in the amount of $482.91, to assist in your work of finding companion and service dogs for American military veterans who need such assistance. A number of our members in Maryland helped to raise that modest contribution and gave of their time and money in doing so. Today that cashier's check was returned to us at our National Headquarters in Columbia, Tennessee with a brief note which says that your Board of Directors and members of your development committee had made a decision to "respectfully decline" being one of our "beneficiaries." Your signatures were beneath.

There was no reason given for turning down this heartfelt gift, We, who have so many military veterans in our organization, cannot understand why you have done this. Without even the courtesy of an explanation, we do not feel that you have "respectfully" declined our gift, but indeed you have "disrespectfully" declined it. To us, this is an unconscionable insult to our historic and honorable heritage organization, and an insult to those whom you represent yourselves as serving, our wounded veterans. Your "decision" was gratuitous and terribly uninformed.

Sons of Confederate Veterans is one of our nation's oldest and largest heritage and genealogical groups. We were founded in 1896 and represent male direct descendants of those who fought in the American War Between The States. Our sole purpose is to commemorate and honor our ancestors. Currently there are 30,000 members throughout the United States and abroad.

There are more than 65 million American descendants of the armed forces of the Confederacy. We have served our nation in many ways. In every conflict in our nation's history we have sacrificed all to protect and defend our great nation.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans deplores the use of our forefathers' symbols by racist and "hate groups." We find these actions to be a desecration. These bigoted displays dishonor our ancestors.

Your insulting refusal to accept our caring generosity also dishonors our ancestors. But perhaps worse, you have withheld badly needed assistance from American veterans because of someone's apparent fixation with "political correctness." This is sickeningly wrong-headed.

You will find no more patriotic Americans than the members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. And we always stand willing to help America's veterans in every way. Given your decision, it remains to be seen if you share that same willingness.

Ben L. Jones
Chief of Heritage Operations
Sons of Confederate Veterans

Ben Jones' great grandfathers Isaac Lane and Harley Jenrette fought with the Army of Northern Virginia. Jones served two terms in the United States Congress, where he was a member of the Veteran's Committee. There he was instrumental in getting compensation for veterans who suffered from the effects of Agent Orange. A writer, businessman, and entertainer, Jones is well known for his portrayal of "Cooter" the mechanic on the ever-popular "Dukes of Hazzard."

THE REASON FOR NASCAR'S DEMISE

(Atlanta - September 4, 2014) It's no secret that NASCAR attendance is dropping across the country, including here in Atlanta. Perhaps there's a reason.

Early in 2013, NASCAR announced that it would no longer be publicly divulging attendance estimates of its races. In Atlanta, we know that the size of crowds has been progressively getting smaller and smaller in recent years; and now it appears likely that NASCAR will cut back to a single major race in Atlanta each year, effectively ending the tradition of a major Labor Day race in Atlanta. But the trend is not just in Atlanta, as races are being cut from other venues; and some venues are reportedly cutting out huge portions of their grandstand capacity for the remaining races.

NASCAR, and car racing in general, has long been a primarily Southern sport gone national. The popularity of racing spread nationally over the last 20 years after existing for multiple generations mainly at Southern tracks with rural Southern blue-collar fans in Southern states. In fact, just a few short years ago, NASCAR racing appeared poised to become one of the largest national sports in America, even boasting the largest average attendance of any sport. So what has happened within a single decade to effectively end that chase for popularity and, instead, turn into a situation where major racing venues, especially across the South, are having trouble even filling their stands where once it was literally standing room only?

In 2012, NASCAR made the decision to ban the appearance of the "General Lee" Dodge Charger from the former television series "Dukes of Hazzard," citing as their reason, "The image of the Confederate flag is not something that should play an official role in our sport as we continue to reach out to new fans and make NASCAR more inclusive," according to NASCAR spokesman David Higdon. Ben Jones who played "Cooter" on the former television show -- and who now serves as the national Chief of Heritage Operations for the Sons of Confederate Veterans -- said this about the decision back in 2012, "At a time when tens of millions of Americans are honoring their Union and Confederate ancestors during this Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, NASCAR has chosen to dishonor those Southerners who fought and died in that terrible conflict by caving to 'political correctness' and the uninformed concerns of corporate sponsors."

But NASCAR made the decision to abandon its Southern roots right after the turn of the new century. Echoing the sentiments of NASCAR spokesmen and executives, Dale Earnhardt, Jr said as far back as 2003 in an interview with Complex Magazine about the Confederate flag, "Anybody who is trying to show that flag is probably too ignorant to know what the hell he's doing."

More and more over the last decade, NASCAR has become dependent upon television deals to make up for the declining attendance of actual people at their races -- the rank and file rural Southerners who have been the traditional fan base of racing since the first moonshiners raced out of the hills with their cargo and defiance of what they viewed as tyrannical and intrusive federal authorities.

Back in 2010, NASCAR spokesman Steve Phelps reportedly stated in an interview, "We don't condone that type of display and putting the flags out, the Confederate flags. That is not something that we think is good for the sport, candidly. So it's something that we see, candidly, we see fewer and fewer of them as you go to races and you know, ultimately it'll be something that'll die away completely." Ironically, NASCAR's continued attack upon the Confederate battle flag and Southern heritage symbols appears to be having unintended consequences, not the least of which is that it appears that it is NASCAR racing, itself, that seems to be dying away.

Georgia Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Press Release