Posts On SHNV-Terminology WBTS
 
From: jkingantiquearms@bellsouth.net
To: cliftonpalmermclendon@yahoo.com
 
Mr. McLendon,
 
Reference: Use of the term "War Between The States"

Thank you for your posts on SHNV and all you do for our Southern and Confederate heritage.
  
However I have a different perspective on the use of the term "War Between The States". I think it is correct because "states" is a synonym for "governments" and does not mean individual states as wrongly assumed by many. In this case states means governments just as when one uses the term "state sponsored religion" to refer to "government sponsored religion". In many other cases the word "state" is used as a synonym for government.
 
The so called Civil War was a war between two separate governments or states and thus "War Between The States" is correct terminology when based on this definition. It was not a civil war as normally defined in which two factions are fighting for control of one government. Since the war was between two groups that were formally part of the same country and government, I suppose Civil War could be considered correct terminology if viewed from this perspective.
 
Governor Letcher of Virginia used the term Civil War when he responded to Lincoln’s request for Virginia to fill a quota for troops to put down what he called a rebellion. On April 17th 1861, Governor Letcher of Virginia sent this message to Washington DC: "I have only to say that the militia of Virginia will not be furnished to the powers of Washington for any such use or purpose as they have in view. Your object is to subjugate the Southern states and the requisition made upon me for such a object-an object in my judgment not within the purview of the constitution or the act of 1795, will not be complied with. You have chosen to inaugurate civil war; having done so we will meet you in a spirit as determined as the administration has exhibited toward the South."
 
James W. King
Commander
Sons of Confederate Veterans  Camp 141
Lt. Col. Thomas M. Nelson
Albany Georgia
 
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From: pcharles_lunsford@yahoo.com
 
In reply to Mr. McLendon, the proper title for the war during the Southern national period is War for Southern Independence. It was the name given by Captain Samuel Ashe of North Carolina, national spokesman for the United Confederate Veterans and accepted by the veterans.
 
P. Charles Lunsford