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Another cherished Canadian myth centres on the Underground Railroad. Abolitionist sentiment among religious communities in Southern Ontario was indeed strong, and this is where the bulk of runaway slaves crossed into Canada. But the numbers were modest. Estimates place the figure at between 30,000 and 50,000. Support for runaway slaves tended to weaken as you moved east across Canada, with Montreal and Halifax being pronounced in their pro-Confederate sympathies. One thing is certain: had runaway slaves skyrocketed into the hundreds of thousands, Canada would have quickly closed its borders.

Another cherished Canadian myth centres on the Underground Railroad

The South’s decision to secede was certainly influenced by the institution of slavery, which was considered an important state right. In the North, where Lincoln put out a call for 75,000 volunteers to invade the South, slavery was not a priority. The key issues for Lincoln were preservation of the Union and the collection of revenue. Don’t take my word for it; just read Lincoln’s First Inaugural. He goes out of his way to state, “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery… where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.”

Even when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation he was careful to free only those slaves not under his control. Slaves in border states loyal to the Union were excluded.

The truth is the Civil War was as much about money as principles. By 1864, the Union war effort had become utterly corrupt with large banks, arms suppliers and food providers making money from all sides; Canada was the venue for much of this illicit activity and Canadian institutions gleefully participated.

Barry Sheehy is a Canadian author of, or contributing author to, seven books (three dealing with the Civil War) and multiple papers and articles. (See barrysheehy.com)