Stephens denounces the constitution of the United States, saying that it, “rested upon the assumption of the equality of races. This was an error… They were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal.”. He goes on to announce that the Confederate, “government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition”. According to Stephens, black inferiority is founded upon nature and the will of god. To not oppress the African-American population, therefore, would be going against the will of god. Additionally, by infusing the Confederate constitution with religious validation, Stephens makes violating it an act of heresy. Above all else, white southerner slave holders viewed liberty of African-Americans as a destabilizing force to southern society and economy, which is centered around slavery, and in violation of the laws of nature and the will of
Stephens denounces the constitution of the United States, saying that it, “rested upon the assumption of the equality of races. This was an error… They were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal.”. He goes on to announce that the Confederate, “government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition”. According to Stephens, black inferiority is founded upon nature and the will of god. To not oppress the African-American population, therefore, would be going against the will of god. Additionally, by infusing the Confederate constitution with religious validation, Stephens makes violating it an act of heresy. Above all else, white southerner slave holders viewed liberty of African-Americans as a destabilizing force to southern society and economy, which is centered around slavery, and in violation of the laws of nature and the will of