Free Republic

Ladies and Gentlemen, I accept the flowers as a memento of reconciliation between the white and colored races of the Southern states. I accept it more particularly as it comes from a colored lady, for if there is any one on God's earth who loves the ladies I believe it is myself. (Immense applause and laughter.) I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to elevate...

Political campaigns bear a striking resemblance to military campaigns. Both involve strategy, an awareness of the environment (a "grasp of the ground" in military parlance) and the concentration of forces and resources at the crucial point where the enemy is weak. Armies that are well led tend to win, while those who are poorly led tend to lose. Since we entered the sesquicentennial of the Civil War on April 12, 2011, I was reflecting on some of the peculiar abilities and gifts of the great military leaders of the American Civil War compared to those so far displayed by Governor...