Overview
"Decisively refuting all the old slanders, the authors give us back the real Davis-a patriotic soldier, a reluctant secessionist, the model of a Christian gentleman, and an inspiration to all Americans, North and South."-Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture
"Was Jefferson Davis Right? is more than a biography of the Confederate president. It is a primer for the trial of the century that never was. The Kennedy brothers have done it again, giving us in one place the huge volume of facts a jury would have weighed if Davis had been given the day in court he so desperately wanted. The words that begin as a murmur swell to a shout by the end of Chapter 14: 'Not Guilty!'"
-Southern Partisan
"Well researched and thought out . . . the authors have presented a convincing argument."
-Confederate Veteran
"The Kennedy brothers provide an unassailable defense of the principles on which Jefferson Davis took his stand."
-Dr. Michael Hill, president, The League of the South
James Ronald Kennedy and Walter Donald Kennedy, descendants of Civil War soldiers, hold posts with the Sons of Confederate Veterans. As staunch supporters of individual freedom, the brothers are actively involved in a number of organizations that promote their beliefs. James is on the board of directors for the Louisiana Southern League and serves as the director of risk management for an insurance company. Walter is a registered respiratory therapist and a certified registered nurse anesthetist. They are the authors of Pelican's best-selling books The South Was Right! and Why Not Freedom! America's Revolt Against Big Government as well as Nullifying Tyranny: Creating Moral Communities in an Immoral Society. James resides in Mandeville, Louisiana, and Walter lives in Downsville, Louisiana.
Cover portrait by Aubrey Hayden
Synopsis
After the War for Southern Independence, Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America, was charged with the following crimes: 1) conspiracy and culpability in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln: 2) conspiracy to cause the deaths of Northern P.O.W.s at Andersonville, Georgia, prisoner of war camp: 3) participating in and attempting to assist in the growth of the system of slavery; and 4) treason against the United States of America. Despite the seriousness of the charges levied against him, Jefferson Davis never got his day in court.
Until now.
Here, the authors present their case, as Davis's defenders, that their client was innocent of all of the heinous allegations made against him. The readers, addressed as members of the jury, will be asked to cast their votes on the authors' web site.
Was the president of the Confederacy a traitor or a patriot? Was he guilty or innocent? Was Jefferson Davis right? You be the judge.
Descendants of Civil War veterans, twin brothers James Ronald (Ron) Kennedy and Walter Donald (Don) Kennedy have held posts with the Sons of Confederate Veterans for several years. Both also are founding members of The League of the South. In their spare time the brothers enjoy participating in reenactments of Civil War battles. Was Jefferson Davis Right? is their third book for Pelican.
Forum News
This is a very interesting, informative, and significant publication dealing with thte ideal of Jeffersonian democracy and how Jefferson Davis, the Confederacy's sole president stood for and struggled on behalf of the principles of democacry."