Hail the confederates
I am currently reading Grant's memoirs and there are a lot of great quotes. This one from his view on the Mexican war which he opposed, but thought that it should be fought to conclusion will all vigor and support once it had begun.
He is right. Today the confederates, despite fighting for the most dismal of causes, are hailed as brave heroes fighting for their country. Take Robert E. Lee for example. He should be considered the greatest traitor in American history. He took an oath to defend the constitution! And took up arms against his oath. Instead, today he is hailed, while the war opponents in the north are now despised and disgraced.
Experience proves that the man who obstructs a war in which his nation is engaged, no matter whether right or wrong, occupied no enviable place in life or history. Better for him, individually, to advocate 'war, pestilence, and famine,' than to act as obstructionist to a war already begun. The history of the defeated rebel will be honorable thereafter, compared with that of the Northern man who aided him by conspiring against his government while protected by it. The most favorable posthumous history the stay-at-home traitor can hope for is oblivion.
He is right. Today the confederates, despite fighting for the most dismal of causes, are hailed as brave heroes fighting for their country. Take Robert E. Lee for example. He should be considered the greatest traitor in American history. He took an oath to defend the constitution! And took up arms against his oath. Instead, today he is hailed, while the war opponents in the north are now despised and disgraced.
posted by Sloanasaurus | 2/16/2007 10:24:00 AM
Grant was a slaveholder who put politics above principle, fought a war to slake a bloodthirst, and had little regard for states' rights.
Does it sometimes seem that I argue just for the sake of arguing? Hmmm. That could be.
No, should we believe that you believe that Grant was a slave holder?
He was. To his credit, he eventually freed the slave.
I don't recall reading about his slaves in his memoirs. But, maybe he owned them in secret. Or just maybe.... he never owned slaves? Hmmm...
What kind of wager are you willing to proffer, Mr. Sloanasaurus?
Well, I guess Grant did live in Missouri for a while, so it is possible that he or his wife had some slaves. Therefore, its not worth a bet.
Damn you Scribbler!
We could just say that, if I'm right, you'll vote for Ron Paul. I'd meekly accept that. (Meek is my middle name.)
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