Seems to me that many of the philosophical issues that led to the Civil
War continue today. What is the relationship to be between states and
the federal government; is the federal government going to provide some
sort of guaranteed minimum standard of treatment of a state's citizens
(i.e. outlawing slavery, discrimination, etc.). In this sense, the Civil War
continues, indeed with the southernization of the Republican party, these
issues are newly current, and the "southern" side newly insistent.
As for ancestors: I proud of my grandfather's service in Europe in the
1940's; of two great grandfather's service in France (WWI) and
Manila(S/A war), and a ggfather's (William H. Carpenter) service, on the
Union side, in the Civil war, and of some 2 dozen ancestors' service in
the Revolution. I can and do care that they were on what I am happy to
call my side in each struggle. As for WHC, believed in the cause, and
even re-enlisted after having been discharged for wounds he got at
Malvern Hill.
As for getting on with it, I can understand a southerner having that view,
and have always found it curious that so many southerners cling so
strongly to their lost -- and, in my opinion, somewhat immoral -- cause,
what with flying the Confederate flag over capitols, plastering it
everywhere, worshiping R.E. Lee, etc.
Charley C.
An Unapologetic Yankee
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