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I just read about a debate due to some people in southern states honoring fallen Confederate soldiers. Some people want to honor them while others essentially think it's wrong to honor those who fought to keep slavery alive: Honoring Those Who Died for Ole' DixieI thought I'd ask for opinions on this here. If you respond, it might be good to know which state you're from, if only to see if the sentiment differs based on where you live.
I've never really asked anyone here. But as we all know most southern soldeirs wernt fighting for slavery, they were fighting for thier homes. And as we all know the north as a whole wasnt figting to rid the country of slavery either.
… we all know most southern soldeirs wernt fighting for slavery, they were fighting for thier homes… we all know the north as a whole wasnt figting to rid the country of slavery either.
True on both counts; the revisionists though, want to assign the logic and values of today to that bygone time. When we judge historical events and persons in the light of today the past will always lose. We have to look at the time and what was going on and the values of the time before we can comment. It's called historical empathy.This upsets me like the flap over displaying the Enola Gay the revisionists said it promoted using nukes!If they fight tribute to the southern soldiers they need to not celebrate the Emancipation Proclaimation either… a grandstand play that had little real effect.Wally
True on both counts; the revisionists though, want to assign the logic and values of today to that bygone time. When we judge historical events and persons in the light of today the past will always lose. We have to look at the time and what was going on and the values of the time before we can comment. It's called historical empathy
You touched on something here which is all-too-common these days, and I've had an interest in uncovering it as it has become apparent to me. In fact we discussed this a bit in another thread about movies which project modern-day values on historical peoples…..and it can be quite annoying for me, the viewer, to watch it (see ). While I'm no Civil War expert, I'd wager that your common Confederate infantryman was not a slave owner and was not fighting for the “ideal” of owning slaves. While I can understand the anger with the basic philosophies of the South which defended slavery, anger at honoring specific individuals who didn't necessarily participate in the a defense of the pro-slavery mentality is another thing.
Wally nailed it !! They are using 21 st century values to judge 19th century actions. I feel it is OK to honor the men who fought(on both sides) and those who either lost their lives , were maimed for life or at the very least lost several youthful years of their lives. The average age was early twenties. These young men in both armies underwent terrible privations and the homefront, at least in the South was about as bad.I just attended a memorial service for 24 Confederate soldiers who died at Hood Hospital(located in Andrew College) in Cuthbert Ga. All of these 24 were far from home and family. Four are unknown. One just has to visit Andersonville(Camp Sumpter) to get an idea of the extent of the deaths. There were over 600,000 total deaths out of a population of 30 million in the country. Based on todays population of 300 million that would equal about six million deaths if it was today
Even the Union Army honored the fallen of the Confederacy when they occupied the field. Both sides respected each other even in the heat of battle. The Civil War was a national purification that purged away the bad things of the Republic and replaced it with a more vibrant and powerful foundation. The deaths of the Confederate veterans were not in vain as the nation their grandfathers helped build, is now the most powerful on earth. I think they would take solace in the fact that our nation is reunified and rebuilt from the ashes in which the best cultural institutions of the North and South continue to thrive. 😉
… Union Army honored the fallen of the Confederacy when they occupied the field. Both sides respected each other even in the heat of battle. The Civil War was a national purification….
All far too true, this was an age of gallantry and honor… most of the leaders of these troops were “brothers” at West Point and in the Mexican War. As for the average southern trooper, while he didn't own slaves he fought for his way of life that was based on the “peculiar institution” none-the-less. Given this the soldiers on both sides were common men but in that time there was a thread of civility (even among the lowly) that seems to be missing today. They hated the game, not hate player; yes… kill or be killed but that is war, always has been.Seems to me this went out after WWI. The common thread today is to de-humanize the enemy (starts with some of the WWI propaganda) and then any atrocity is fair game as they're somehow subhuman and it's okay.These men were all Americans… they served with honor and gave their all. 'nuff said.Time for another Scotch….Wally
