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I inadvertently discovered “Lanterns on the Levee” while searching for a history of the South that described the economics of slavery, provided evidence of the economic stagnation it caused, and discussed its cultural impact. The book I sought was Hinton Helper’s “The Impending Crisis of the South: How to Meet It” published in 1857 which used data from the 1850 census to describe the lack of innovation, investment and equitable economic growth of the Antebellum South. Needless to say, Helper’s book was banned in the South prior to the Civil War.

 

After the war a historical narrative was put forward that the economic and political leaders, the “planter class” had been the aristocratic nobility that had fought against the degradation of Southern culture and values. Their efforts were like those of the nobility of medieval times to care for and protect the peasants (poor and middle-class whites) and the slaves (blacks and mulattos). I first saw this theme in Erik Larson’s history of the start of the Civil War, “Demon of Unrest” in which the concept of chivalry promoted in Sir Walter Scott’s Waverly novels was central to manhood and honor in the South. An affront or insult to one’s honor could not be accepted, and acceptance of compromise was seen as a weakness.

 

Economics played a central role in this “honor system,” with slavery being the most valuable commodity and its protection and expansion necessary for the survival of the South. The Civil War ensued with the loss of over 600,000 lives, the destruction of the South, and freedom for the slaves. After reading this book, I thought, “How did that work out for you.”

 

My next thought was, "Am I different?" At the end of the day, we all, all of us born and raised in Mississippi, are her sons. For good or bad, we need to confront our past and seek God’s redemption, for we truly are his sons.