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Virginia did not fight to maintain slavery.
There is, however, one popular misconception to which I would direct your attention.
While the institution of slavery and the rise of the abolition party were undoubtedly among the causes which precipitated the war, yet the statement is false either that
Virginia seceded in order to maintain the institution of slavery, or that the authorities of the
Federal Government inaugurated the war to emancipate the slaves.
What had been
Virginia's position with reference to this institution, and what historically speaking, was the cause for which the
Federal Government drew its sword?
Slavery was introduced into
Virginia in 1619—a period of the world's history when the slave trade and the ownership of slaves was everywhere legalized by law. Between the date of the introduction of the first slave in 1619 and 1776, when
Virginia declared her independence of
Great Britain, petition after petition was addressed by her people and her Assembly, imploring the
British crown to interdict the importation of slaves.
Not only were petitions presented, but between the dates mentioned numerous Acts of Assembly were passed, the object and purpose of which was to stop the traffic.
All of these acts were vetoed by the
King, and, despite the declared opposition of the colonists, for over a century and a half the traffic continued, with each importation adding more and more to the difficulties and dangers of emancipation.
