Toly Wrote Sandy I think you hit the crux of the problem. From the very first of the countries existence two factions emerged. The Hamaltonians and the Jeffersonians (republicans of that time). The Hamiltonians prevailed in much of early politics. They were for strong central government and high tariffs. They and their supporters many from the Mass. area made great fortunes by buying soldiers pay bonds. Discounted as much as 75% and redeemed by the government at face value (After Washington became president). Some of this money served the country well but it created such power that it is still a factor today. The moneys started the industrial revolution in this country with the profits going out to multilayer industry in such a way that the north east controlled the country. The railroads were built in this manner with right always almost as large as states along their routs as grants from government. The central government was always broke and had no source of income except the tariff and other small taxes except in time of war. So bring on the war of 1812 (second revolution) from this the central government got the right to tax the people. The south got low tariffs and no interference in the slave issue. The central government still did not have all of the power it wanted. So the scene was set for the CW. The north industrialists did not like the low tariff that allowed the south to buy from Europe cheaper and sell their cotton direct. There was little kneed for the ships even stopping in Mass. anymore as they had full cargos in cotton from the south. The slavery issue inflamed the do-gooders. So we got the CW. States rights were pretty much lost and the south was brought into line. The constitution could not be passed , only the 9 small states signed. NC, VA, NY, and MS, where most of the people lived, would not sign until we got the bill of rights ( the first 10 amendments). These were signed or promised to allow the constitution to exist. So the constitution and the bill of rights are one and the same. We now have continual attacks on the ten amendments. Should any of these fall we have lost our constitution and it is on to anarchy and socialism, communism or fascism. The two fascists of governments (Hamiltonians and Jefersonians) are as strong a force as they were during the CW. Will we be led astray and loose the rest of our freedoms? The republicans of late have not demonstrated the tenacity to fight the democrats. The democrats are quite willing to take the power. Is the docile republicans capable of dealing with the rapidly moving events of the modern world? I do not know but ,protect the constitution and the ten amendments we must ,do as the politicians have sworn to do before they got the job. Will we go for strike three, swinging, foul ball, or hit a home run? Please excuse brevity, I hope this makes sense. You can only condense so much. Toly [email protected] wrote: > Another contributing factor to the the War Between the States was States > Rights. The federal government was trying to dictate to the southern states > on matters that should have been state issues and not federal issues. > I am not real well versed on all of the factors leading up to the War but I > do know that it was not just exclusively about slavery. > Sandy >