Acton and Lee on Liberty

The text presents a historical analysis of correspondence between Lord Acton and General Robert E. Lee following the American Civil War. Their letters reveal a shared belief in the importance of states’ rights as a check on centralized power, although they differed on the ultimate outcome of the war. Acton saw secession as potentially redeeming democracy, while Lee emphasized the importance of preserving the Union while maintaining states’ rights. The article explores their views on liberty and the balance between federal and state authority, using their letters to illustrate their perspectives. The author provides the full text of their correspondence and notes the historical context of their exchange.