Jefferson Davis on trying to avoid the Civil War

I tried all in my power to avert this war.  I saw it coming, for twelve years I worked night and day to prevent it, but I could not.  The North was mad and blind; it would not let us govern ourselves, and so the war came, and now it must go on unless you acknowledge our right to self government.  We are not fighting for slavery.  We are fighting for Independence.

~ Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, 1862-1865