It is written of Abel, the son of Adam, that though he is dead, he still speaks, Hebrews 11:4. By his example of faith and righteousness Abel still speaks to us today, although he has been dead for almost six millennia. "The spectacle of his trustful integrity, even in the face of violence, should inspire us to persevere and to overcome. by the same means." The purpose of my paper is to be a mouthpiece for Robert L. Dabney, so that he who is in the grave can still speak to us and inspire us to persevere and to overcome by our trustful integrity, even in the face of a violent, anti-Christian culture.

Another reason for letting Dabney speak for himself is not only so you can see the kind of men and viewpoint that was dominant in the Old South, but also so you can see that Dabney's character and viewpoint, although on a scholarly level, represented the character and worldview of the rank and file Southerner from all levels of society.