It is amazing how the perspective of history changes when you look through the glass of time. I am 66 years old and have always hated slavery. But I admired all of those who gave their lives for what they believed in. I still do! To me Robert E. Lee was a fine Christian gentleman and U.S. Grant was a drunk. I still hold to those perceptions.
Now I realize that there are those who would erase our history attempting to make us forget the awful lessons of the past. I am not a professional historian but I still appreciate the past and the history that was written long ago. I still think that those who claim history as their own should not try to forget the memories of the past even though looking through the prism of the present causes us hurt.
A fine Christian gentleman? Lee was a brutal slave master who had his slaves beaten for even mild infractions. I can tolerate a drunk a lot easier than a brutal SOB.
ReplyDeleteNo one is trying to erase history. The purpose of getting rid of statues of Lee and others is to stop glorifying those who attempted to destroy this country. You say that you admire those who fought for what they believed in. Grant fought for what he believed in, so why don't you admire him? Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito fought for what they believed in, too, so why don't we erect huge statues of them in the National Mall? We should honor those who made positive contributions to this country, not those who tried to destroy it.
ReplyDeleteThese men who had statues made for them, and even those for all wounded and killed, were put up by Americans for Americans. Many of these man had found in prior wars for this nation and went on to serve this nation in public office, and honorably in other wars for this nation. They are also protected by Federal Act. Grant was good friend with General Lee before during and after the war.They respected each other. It was also perfectly legal for ANY state to remove from the Union of States. Even now.
ReplyDeleteLee was a smart man, even if he was on the wrong side of the Civil War. He did not want any statues erected after the war because he knew it would delay the healing process. He was right. For his funeral he directed that no one wear uniforms or carry flags for the same reason. His wishes were respected on this occasion. Even more than 150 years after the end of the war I can see plenty of the ignorance and bigotry that led to the war itself. Since you think that any state is free to secede from the Union, you are among the many who did not learn one damn thing from history.
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