After the Civil War, America Was Reunited

1913 - At the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, Union (left) and Confederate (right) veterans shake hands at a reunion in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Image: Public Domain

By Eddie Howell

There was, not so long ago, a time in America, when people thought the Civil War, that bloody and a horrible nation-wrenching struggle of brother-against-brother, was finally over and peace was restored. As difficult as it was for everyone who fought, or who waited back home for their loved ones to return, it was finally over, and a true healing process had begun.

The impact was lasting, since the war was fought in America and not some far-off continent, and feelings did not change overnight. By the 25^th anniversary of the end of the war, there were expressions of unity at Civil War reunions, although resentments still remained.

At the 50^th anniversary (1913) of the Battle of Gettysburg, Union and Confederate veterans of the war shook hands across the stone wall of Pickett’s Charge in what appeared to be a time of sincere unity and forgiveness all around. Slavery was over, and to many, it seemed that the animosity had given way to mutual respect, and acknowledgement that the issues were settled.

Eternal Light Peace Memorial, dedicated in 1938 by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt at Gettysburg. Photo by Gettysburg Daily.

At the 75^th anniversary (1938) of the Battle of Gettysburg, President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, recognizing the Blue and the Gray veterans in attendance and saying, “I accept this Memorial in the spirit of brotherhood and peace.” After all those years, there appeared to be some closure concerning the North-South struggle. America was well united again and only a few fanatics still wanted to continue the fight. There was respect for all who had fought, if not agreement on all the controversies. Families by then were reunited, and the American family could take some satisfaction in the fact of peace in our own country.

So what has happened in this age of snowflakes, victims, and troublemakers? Any reference to the Confederacy today is considered by some to be a trigger for traumatic upset. This is very unfortunate, for it threatens basic American and human values: Free expression, free inquiry, knowledge of the facts of history, and respect for others. There is no one alive today who owned slaves during that era. The war ended over 150 years ago. All this time, until very recently (before the leftists began stirring up their misguided efforts), people accepted the facts that there was a Civil War, slavery was abolished, and now it’s over, and occasionally we see reminders of it.

The Civil War statues and memorials, flags, and symbols represent historical people and events, and it is a miserable injustice to condemn those who fought for the South as if their only concern was to oppress people. The war is over. The South lost the war, suffering mightily, but what has happened to the spirit of Lincoln, who wanted, above all, to preserve and restore the Union, as though it had never been separated? Those who demand the destruction or removal of Confederate statues, flags, and relics, even if they think their motives are pure, do a great disservice to our country. All Americans, North and South, deserve better.