[LambSlave]

Given that the entirety of CW sites has been forced by gov’t fiat to renovate their visitor centers to reflect how slavery was all everything was about (poor, poor blacks), it wouldn’t surprise me if they go on to glory in tearing down any monuments to southern men. Yes, that gigantic Gettysburg VC was built not long ago (to my shock last year, destroying the old VC with its electric map) on a huge swath of farmland complete with whoa-is-me apologies about slavery, the only possible reason for all the bloodshed! (It’s also happened at Bull Run and Sharpsburg.)

Saying the Civil War was fought about slavery is equivalent to saying the Revolutionary War was fought about tea; it discredits those who fought for both sides. Given the numerous letters from soldiers from both sides, it is clear that very few gave a damned about slavery or blacks in general... men go to war for honor, duty, to defend their kin and clan and for the right to shape their own destiny.

[easternsky]

Cannot disagree with that

[arrogantsob]

Unfortunately for your argument, the leaders of the Confederacy made it clear that the war was about slavery for them. For the United States it was about preserving the Union not ending slavery.

I was raised in the South and steeped in the history of the Lost Cause but now see it as a gigantic mistake on the part of the Southern states. BTAIM the monuments are ALL part of MY history whether I agreed with those being memorialized or not. I do not have to support slavery to appreciate the Confederate generals.

Some have spoken of the reconciliation of the opponents after the war and the mutual respect they have for their ex-opponents that has happened after WWII as well.

Were it not for a great Gen. Lee there would never have been a great Gen. Grant, without a great James Longstreet there would not have been a great Sherman.

Greater glory comes from struggle with a great opponent.

[manc]

Good point

[gleeaikin]

I don’t think anyone has tried to say that the Revolution was fought about tea. It was fought about having to pay duties and buy stamps on everything that was imported into the Colonies including tea, the fact that only British ships had rights to do the importing, that the Colonies were not allowed to produce many things, and we had no representation in the British parliament. “Taxation without representation,” remember. Kind of like the people in Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.