Raphael Semmes Bookmark

Front: Rear-Admiral, Confederate States Navy, September 27, 1809, August 30, 1877, Commander, CSS Sumter, First CS Ship of War, 4/18/1861 – 4/11/1862, Captain, CSS Alabama 5/2/1862 – 6/19/1864 Back: “If we succeed in preservin…

Front: Rear-Admiral, Confederate States Navy, September 27, 1809, August 30, 1877, Commander, CSS Sumter, First CS Ship of War, 4/18/1861 – 4/11/1862, Captain, CSS Alabama 5/2/1862 – 6/19/1864 Back: “If we succeed in preserving the principle of State sovereignty–the only principle which can save this whole country, North and South, from utter wreck and ruin–all will be well, whatever combination of particular States being made, from time to time. The States being free, liberty will be saved…But if this principle be overthrown, if the mad idea be carried out, that all the American people must be molded into a common mass, and form on consolidated government, under the rule of a majority–for no constitution will then restrain them–constitutional liberty will disappear, and no man can predict the future, except in so far, that it is impossible for the Puritan and the Cavalier to live together in peace.” ~ Raphael Semmes