Ranking of U.S. Presidents by historians

[Moeceefus]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

OK, let's start over. I already eliminated slavery as a primary motivation for the North's war against the South.

Have you read Jefferson Davis' own book, "The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government" ?

If only this line from The Declaration of Independence was followed to the letter to begin with, this wouldn't be an issue, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

Another good point. Davis was a lousy president. However, you may be interested in this quote from General Lee at a public meeting in Texas, spoken to a confidant: (abridged, I can't find the page)
"Had I known what those people (Lee's preferred term for Yanks) would do to our nation, I would have rather died with my men at Appamattox."

“Governor, if I had foreseen the use those people designed to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox Courthouse; no sir, not by me. Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in this right hand.”
General Robert E. Lee, August 1870 to Governor Stockdale of Texas.

Here are some other interesting Lee quotes.

"The war... was an unnecessary condition of affairs, and might have been avoided if forebearance and wisdom had been practiced on both sides."

"So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained. "

"They do not know what they say. If it came to a conflict of arms, the war will last at least four years. Northern politicians will not appreciate the determination and pluck of the South, and Southern politicians do not appreciate the numbers, resources, and patient perseverance of the North. Both sides forget that we are all Americans. I foresee that our country will pass through a terrible ordeal, a necessary expiation, perhaps, for our national sins."

"The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He can not only forgive; he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which imparts sufficient strength to let the past be put the past."