LEAGUE OF THE SOUTH POSITION PAPERS
The LS Position on Secession - Why we think it may be necessary.
Our General Worldview
The
goal of The League of the South is the cultural, social, economic, and political
independence and well-being of the Southern People. We affirm the proud legacy
of our predominantly Western Christendom civilization with no apology. We lay
proper claim to the political vision of America's Founders, to the heroic
struggle of our Confederate ancestors against "consolidated" government, and to
our underlying Christian heritage.
Since the War for Southern
Independence, the Republican system of government established by the Founders
has been steadily eroded. The principles of true federalism and state's rights
are no longer operative. The League of the South does NOT advocate the overthrow
of the United States government. We do, however, believe in the Jeffersonian
principle that free people may change their government if, over a long period of
time, it becomes destructive of life, liberty, and property. Consequently, we
reject the central government's continuing usurpation of state sovereignty and
support the restoration of self-government to the Southern people. If this means
secession and formation of a Southern nation, then so be it. Self-government, as
our forebears understood, is necessary for the preservation of
ordered liberty.
If the South were its own nation,
its GNP would rank it in the top five nations of the world. Its laws would
better reflect the natural conservatism and Christian roots of the Southern
people. We could enjoy low taxes, sound money, secure private property rights,
and a free-market economy. We could follow a foreign policy of armed neutrality,
leave the UN, and oppose the New World Order. We could once again reward merit
and abolish the Welfare State and Affirmative Action. We could severely limit
immigration. We could get government out of our children's education. We could
remove ourselves from the current judicial tyranny. In short, we could seize
control of our destiny as a distinct people.
The League of the South upholds the
right of free association. Peoples of different cultures should pursue their own
interests without interference from bureaucrats and social engineers who push
such enormities as global democracy and multiculturalism. While uncompromising
in our stand for Southern rights and identity, we disavow a spirit of malice.
Rather, we extend an offer of cooperation to all peoples and groups in America
and the world who share our love of liberty and our desire for self-rule.
We invite you to join our patriotic stand.
LEAGUE OF THE SOUTH POSITION
PAPERS
The League of the South Position - Our general worldview.
The League of the South's Position
on Secession

The
League of the South's goal is good government for the Southern people. We
believe secession is the best way to restore good government to the South. Since
1861 the republican system of government established by the Founders has been
steadily eroded. Today that government has become the cruel master rather than
the obedient servant of the citizens of the several states. We see no way of
reforming the corruption within the present system; therefore, The League of the
South shall seek to spread acceptance of the idea of secession among the people
of the South.
We
believe in the Jeffersonian principle that free people may change their
government if over a long period of time it refuses to protect their lives,
liberty, and property. As the present government of the United States has
violated the original compact of 1789 and no longer offers its citizens such
protection, we believe that the time has come for the Southern states to
consider the merits of secession. The League of the South does not advocate the
overthrow of the government of the United States; rather, we wish to leave
peaceably and form our own nation or nations, as the people of the South shall
freely decide.
Secession
is neither premature, impractical, nor illegal. The time is right for separation
and the establishment of local self-rule. Secession is already being seriously
debated in several western states and in Canada. The recent break-up of the
Soviet Empire has hastened such movements all across Eastern Europe. There is
even a serious national separatist movement in Scotland.
The
South is clearly lagging behind in the drive for self-determination, undoubtedly
because many Southerners believe secession is illegal because the Southern
States were forced to renounce and repeal their secession ordinances under the
duress of military occupation during the Reconstruction era. However, the right
of secession is nothing more than the right of sovereign states to recall the
powers they delegated to the federal government when they ratified the
constitution. This right cannot be renounced because the right to liberty and
self-determination is an inalienable right given by God. Therefore, secession is
not illegal or unconstitutional. Secession is still a practical alternative to
the further dissolution and chaos of a virtually ungovernable union. We must act
boldly and take advantage of a Providential cultural and political climate. If
we hesitate, we lose.
If
the thirteen states of the old Confederacy were a nation, its GNP would place it
among the top five or six nations of the world. Its laws would better reflect
the natural conservatism and Christian roots of the Southern people. Our laws on
gun control, abortion, school prayer, and immigration would without question be
different. We could establish a confederation of states and make the provisions
of the Tenth Amendment a reality. We could follow George Washington's sage
advice about "entangling alliances." We could leave the United Nations and
oppose the Bush-Clinton New World Order. We could stop foreign aid. We could
once again reward merit. We could get government out of our children's
education. In a word, we could again seize control of our own destiny.
In
order to make secession work, we must be tough-minded and willing to stand up to
the forces of tyranny that are loose in the land. We must not cast ourselves as
victims, for victims are perceived as helpless and thus dependent for their
salvation on the goodwill of others. Rather, we must build a strong organization
that is able to give form to our vision: the establishment of a Southern Nation
or nations grounded firmly in the hallowed traditions and virtuous principles of
our forebears. If you agree with our general position, we invite you to join us.