The Uniter

New York Post ^ | 02/12/2004 | Ralph Peters

[Keith]

February 12, 2004 -- WHEN news of Robert E. Lee's surrender arrived in Washington, promising an end to our Civil War, the people of the city streamed to the White House. President Lincoln appeared on the porch to cheers and wild applause, and the leader of a military band asked the president to choose a song. Every man and woman in that crowd expected Lincoln to request "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," or "Rally 'Round the Flag," or, perhaps, "Marching Through Georgia."

[Keith]

I gotta say, I am really tired of the trashing of Abraham Lincoln that I see so often on this site. If we remember him for anything, I would like it to be for this trait...trying to reunite the nation after the war...

[NTegraT]

"Only a few days after Lincoln asked to hear "Dixie," a terrorist's bullet killed him. "

I find it strange here the choice of the word "terrorist" instead of assassin. Always it's been referred to as an assassination and an assassin's bullet. By substituting terrorist for other words of actions, the word terrorist and terrorism is being diluted. I'm sure it was terrorizing for the people there and the country was in upheavel just as when Kennedy was assassinated, but terrorism? Pleeeease.

[GreenLanternCorps]

I'll agree with you. To read some posts you would think that Lincoln is responsible for every bad thing in our country from the New Deal to tooth decay...

So in the interests of Equal time:


God Bless Father Abraham and the brave soldiers who saved our republic from the Southern tyrant Davis and the sins of susccesionist treason!!!

"Gonna hang Jeff Davis from a sour apple tree..."

That ought to get a rise out of them! :-)

[squarebarb]

Not out of me. Here's one southerner who thinks Abe Lincoln was the greatest America could produce. And he was a Virginia/Kentucky product. More able to lead because he indeed was not from one of those Philadelphia drawing room societies.

[zeugma]

...sins of susccesionist treason

Interesting choice of words. From what I read, most of the fellows who originally founded this country would have been suprised by the notion that a state that had freely entered the union could not also freely leave it.

While I don't believe that Lincoln is responsible for tooth decay, I do believe his war is directly responsible for the devloution of this Republic into that evil institution, democracy.

The final nail in the coffin was driven in 1913 with the direct election of senators.

[Eala]

ping?

[mac_truck]

While I don't believe that Lincoln GW Bush is responsible for tooth decay, I do believe his war is directly responsible for the devloution of this Republic into that evil institution, democracy blah, blah, blah.

Sound familiar?

[zeugma]

I'm not entirely sure what it is you were trying to say. Do you deny that this country has devolved into a democracy over the past 150 years? This process was kick-started by Lincoln's refusal to accept that states could freely leave a compact they'd freely joined, championing the supremacy of FedGov over the several states. Federalism was a delicate balancing act. One that was totally upset by Lincoln's war.

[TedsGarage]

Here's the test I always give to people who defend the Confedracy's right to secede. If California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas someday have Hispanic majorities, and decide to secede from the United States and re-unite with Mexico, will you support their right to do so? Or will you favor keeping them in the Union by force?

[zeugma]

Yes. Any state should be able to secede. Without that club to wield above the head of the allegedly federal government, there is no reason for FedGov to give a damn what the states think, or what burdens they labor under.

Unlimited federal power to dictate to the states is not conducive to liberty.

[Gianni]

Are you saying people are better off dead than Mexican?