Overview
The "Corner Stone Speech," delivered by Alexander H. Stephens in 1861, outlines the ideological foundation of the Confederate States, explicitly declaring that their government is based on the belief in white supremacy and the justification of African slavery.
Background and Purpose of the Speech
- Stephens addressed a large audience in Savannah, Georgia, after the formation of the Confederate States.
- He stated the Confederate constitution retained core principles from the U.S. Constitution but made significant improvements.
- The main focus was to defend and explain the new Confederate government's ideological foundations.
Key Ideological Foundations
- The Confederacy was explicitly founded to secure and perpetuate slavery and white supremacy.
- Stephens argued the old U.S. Constitution was based on the mistaken belief in the equality of races.
- He claimed the new government reversed this by asserting black people are not equal to white people and that slavery is their natural condition.
- He justified this stance by referencing both “science” and Biblical scripture.
Critique of Founders’ Beliefs and Embrace of Slavery
- Stephens acknowledged that the Founders, including Jefferson, thought slavery would fade and considered it morally wrong.
- He argued that this was an error due to their belief in racial equality.
- The Confederate “cornerstone” is the principle of racial inequality, which Stephens says aligns with nature and divine law.
Role of Religion and Science
- Stephens used religious references and pseudo-scientific arguments to justify slavery and the supposed inferiority of black people.
- He cited the “curse of Canaan” and compared social hierarchy to natural laws observed in science.
Views on Society and the Future
- He claimed all white people, regardless of status, are equal under Confederate law, but not black people.
- Stephens believed the world would eventually accept the Confederate principle of racial hierarchy.
- He dismissed concerns about worldwide opposition, arguing that truth would ultimately prevail.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Corner Stone Speech — Address by Alexander H. Stephens defining the foundation of the Confederacy as white supremacy and slavery.
- Peculiar Institution — Euphemism for slavery in the southern United States.
- Curse of Canaan — Biblical justification used historically to defend the enslavement of Africans.
- Scientific Racism — Pseudo-scientific belief in the inherent inequality of races, used to justify slavery.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the full text for examples of how Stephens used religion and science to justify slavery.
- Compare Stephens’s views with Abraham Lincoln’s positions on race and slavery for class discussion.
- Prepare to discuss the implications of the speech for understanding the causes of the Civil War.