“Historians are pretty united on the cause of the Civil War being slavery, and the kind of research that historians have undertaken, especially in the year since the centennial where there has been so much interest in this question of the role of race and slavery in the US.

In fact, let me just quote, this is the Harvard University president and historian. This was about upholding the economic system of slavery. There is nothing in the Constitution -īALDWIN: But, Bill, Bill, Bill, hang on, because, if you really want to talk about the history of this chapter of our country, the consensus among historians, and I've got one that we'll talk to in a second here, is that the Civil War wasn't about state rights and secession. They were fighting for the constitutional rights from the government at the consent of the governed. Those soldiers, based on 17 years of historic research that I've done, those soldiers were not fighting to perpetuate the institution of slavery. STARNES: I believe those statues represent the honor, the courage, and the bravery of the Confederate soldier. STARNES: Well, it's very simple, and I do want to make clear I'm not speaking for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, although I am a member. I understand you agree with the president that these statues represent history and culture. Bill, thank you so much for being with me.īILL STARNES: Yes ma'am, thank you for having me.īALDWIN: So, listen, I want to hear all perspectives of this this week, including from yourself. He is a commander of the Blue Ridge Brigade, his name is Bill Starnes. BROOKE BALDWIN (HOST): So joining me now, a member of the North Carolina chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Brooke baldwin about hiring veterans