Minority Rule

[Ellsworth avenger]

Which State ,in opinion,has more evidence of circumventing the majority in it's decision on secession.
Forgot how to do this, so someone may reenter properly if there is an interest.
A. Missouri
B. Kentucky
C. Georgia
D. Maryland
E. North Carolina
F. Tennessee
G Virginia

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

Which State ,in opinion,has more evidence of circumventing the majority in it's decision on secession.
Forgot how to do this, so someone may reenter properly if there is an interest.
A. Missouri
B. Kentucky
C. Georgia
D. Maryland
E. North Carolina
F. Tennessee
G Virginia

H New Jersey

 

[Bob Owen]

Kentucky without a doubt. My opinion of course!

 

[brass napoleon]

C. Georgia

The majority of Georgia voters voted against immediate secessionist delegates to the secession convention. Yet when the convention met, the delegates voted overwhelmingly for... immediate secession. The Georgia voters were never given the opportunity to ratify the delegates' decision via a popular referendum.

 

[ole]

C. Georgia

The majority of Georgia voters voted against immediate secessionist delegates to the secession convention. Yet when the convention met, the delegates voted overwhelmingly for... immediate secession. The Georgia voters were never given the opportunity to ratify the delegates' decision via a popular referendum.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that Virginia was the only state that ran a popular referendum after the secession convention. May 28th sounds about right.

 

[brass napoleon]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that Virginia was the only state that ran a popular referendum after the secession convention. May 28th sounds about right.

Actually, Tennessee held a referendum also, on June 8, 1861. And Texas was the only Cotton 7 state to hold a popular referendum.

 

[Robtweb1]

Actually, Tennessee held a referendum also, on June 8, 1861. And Texas was the only Cotton 7 state to hold a popular referendum.

Tennessee had two referendums. The first was when the original seven Southern states seceded and the people voted not to secede, but authorised the governor to activate the state militia. The second was held after Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the "rebellion". The people then voted to secede.

So far is the poll is concerned, Maryland is my choice. The pro-secession members of the legislature were incarcerated so they could not be present for the vote.

 

[Carronade]

We can certainly make a case that something as profound as secession ought to be decided by referendum, but it's not strictly speaking necessary. In representative government, most decisions are made by the peoples' elected representatives; that's not non-democratic.

 

[brass napoleon]

We can certainly make a case that something as profound as secession ought to be decided by referendum, but it's not strictly speaking necessary. In representative government, most decisions are made by the peoples' elected representatives; that's not non-democratic.

If you want to demonstrate to the United States, and to the world, that secession is the will of the people, the way to do it is through a popular referendum. Especially in the case of Georgia, where there was a lot of suspicion about the delegate vote, to the point that Governor Brown refused to publicize the results. When he finally was forced to, it is widely recognized now that he cooked the books.

There was no reason not to have a popular referendum - other than fear that the vote wouldn't go their way.

Note - you can find details here:
http://civilwartalk.com/forums/showthread.php?164592-Was-Georgia-Hijacked

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

I. Virginia
The fact that Virginia almost 2-1 voted against immediate secession and the the fact she became two States,thus losing the most power,gives her a right to be included here.

 

[jumpmastereast]

I. Virginia

 

[brass napoleon]

I'm not understanding the reasoning of the people voting Virginia. Virginians voted overwhelmingly against "immediate secession" delegates to the secession convention on Febuary 4th. On April 4th, those delegates voted overwhelmingly against immediate secession. On April 15th, Lincoln called for volunteers, which was very unpopular in Virginia. On April 17th, the delegates reversed themselves and voted overwhelmingly in favor of secession. On May 23rd, Virginia voters overwhelmingly ratified the decision of the delegates.

It seems to me the delegates pretty much reflected the changing mood of the public. Contrast that to Georgia, where the voters voted against immediate secession delegates, and the delegates turned right around and voted overwhelmingly in favor of immediate secession, without any change in public sentiment, and without giving the public a chance to ratify their decision.

I can see issues with the western counties which in time would become West Virginia, but they were definitely not the "majority".

 

[Ellsworth avenger]

I'm not understanding the reasoning of the people voting Virginia. Virginians voted overwhelmingly against "immediate secession" delegates to the secession convention on Febuary 4th. On April 4th, those delegates voted overwhelmingly against immediate secession. On April 15th, Lincoln called for volunteers, which was very unpopular in Virginia. On April 17th, the delegates reversed themselves and voted overwhelmingly in favor of secession. On May 23rd, Virginia voters overwhelmingly ratified the decision of the delegates.

It seems to me the delegates pretty much reflected the changing mood of the public. Contrast that to Georgia, where the voters voted against immediate secession delegates, and the delegates turned right around and voted overwhelmingly in favor of immediate secession, without any change in public sentiment, and without giving the public a chance to ratify their decision.

I can see issues with the western counties which in time would become West Virginia, but they were definitely not the "majority".

Sorry for the misconception,if Virginia's being added to the poll brought it about . The very fact, of being passionately opinionated about secesstion, on either side of the issue had to be gut-retching ,especially when in the minority of one's own family.I seem to be searching for the ultimate affront here,as far as minority rule,and believe Georgia to be a very good choice. I haven't cast a final vote in deference to valued opinions, I may receive here.

 

[BillO]

I also have a problem with the people voting for Virginia. The question isn't who lost the most but which state circumvented the will of their electorate. Virginians were againist leaving the union until they were forced by changing circumstances to make a decision.