More Comments on the Civil War

The Union, it seems is somewhat of a romantic idea. The idea of unity is one that is cherished even today, (See Restoration Movement) at least in theory. Often it seems that while unity is praised as an idea, few are willing to do what it takes to create or preserve unity.

It is a delicate balance that must exist between State's rights and the preservation of the Union. As Bryan D. said it is indeed remarkable that the country was able to heal itself so quickly. This was, perhaps, possible because of the same ideals that caused the divide. That the men who chose to divide (for the most part) believed that they were doing something that was part of God's will, and that their defeat in the brutal conflict was once again part of God's will.

It seems to me that the United States at least belongs together. As for Chechnya and other places, I don't feel that I am well informed enough to comment on them, with the exception of Ireland. The events in Northern Ireland over the last (pick a time span) have truly been tragic. It is easy to say that it simply needs to end. Where does the responsibility fall? England? Catholics? Protestants? Mel Gibson? Dan Brown? It is my opinon that the situation there is near to being hopelessly convoluted. Perhaps if something is done now the conflict there will not carry on for the next 50 generations, and a small part of the world can heal. Suggestions as to how this might occur? I have none, perhaps more informed people can make suggestions. It seems to me that all of Ireland also belongs together, unless Northern Ireland wishes to remain part of England. Self-determination is an excellent idea I think. For many of us, Ireland is nothing other than a green place where they brew Guinness. Perhaps a more educated view is needed.

Where is the line that demarcates playing the hand you are dealt on one side and trying to end unjust treatment?

Somewhere in all of this we must decide where things like "taxation without representation" supercede Romans 13. Is revolution a Biblically responsible action? Is preserving the union a Biblically responsible action? Is there such a thing as a Biblically responsible action? If complete unity looks like the United Nations then I am no longer interested in unity.

Union/unity. A romantic idea.

My Fort Sumter

Those of you who know me perhaps know that I am from Kentucky. Those of you who did not know that now do. Rather than attempting to explain that I have had the option of wearing shoes all my life, I would like to discuss an issue that has been swirling in my brain the past couple of days about the American Civil War.

I have heard this war described as "The American Iliad." It is the source of this description that started the wheels turning on this particular issue. I have recently subjected myself to reading a series of novels by Newt Gingrich and Dr. William Forstchen that are centered around the Battle of Gettysburg and a big what if. What if Lee had not attacked the Union position on July 2 and instead marched fifty miles to the Union rear, seizing their supply depot and cutting them off from Washington, thus forcing the Union to attack on unfavorable ground. In essence what would have happened had Lee followed the advice of one of his corps commanders, General Longsreet? The book contains a lot of military "detail" and seems entirely believable. I know as I read the story I found my sense of history and my heart being pulled in different directions. We all know that the North won the Civil War, but the book dares to ask what if?

Well, What if?

Without getting mired in issues that have been debated ad nauseum, I will make the following comment about the stated position of the Confederacy: Slavery is wrong, and State's rights are important. Let's say that by some unusual, although not impossible, series of events the South had won the Civil War. The aforementioned authors believe that the rest of the continent would then be fordoomed to even more secession and war as sections declared independence and European powers were removed. This seems to have some weight in it until one realizes that the states that did secede were by no stretch of the imagination completely unified, yet for some reason they held together. The answer to this puzzle seems to be that the concept of preserving the union was important to everyone, one that was only superseded by State's rights in the mind of some, and only then as a last resort.

It seems to me that if the Confederacy wins the war, it might possibly retain its independence and unity until World War 1 or the Great Depression. It took a herculean effort for the whole country to get through those times, and one must wonder if the South would have been able to support itself through those times. Reunification would most likely occur within a generation or two because of the similarity that would have existed between the two countries. Much is made of both the differences (factories, railroads, Military leadership etc.) and similarities (Brothers fighting Brothers, same religion, same language etc.) by pointy headed historians, but i say that the similarities would bring the South full circle and result in the reunification of the nation.

Thus as a Kentuckian I am forced to look at this in a very different way because I am completely objective. I am forced to be a proponent of State's rights when I see federal judges legislating from the bench; declaring state laws, approved by the people of that state, unconstitutional. However I am also forced to recognize the inherent weakness of the Confederate position declaring that they were fighting for their freedom while at the same time holding other men in bondage. Whats a good Southerner to do?

1. I will continue to make fun of all northern accents because, let's face it, you either sound like Vikings or you sound like you have a mouth full of cotton balls.

2. I will fail to pronounce a whole consonant whenever I choose in my pesonal speech.

3. I will continue to vote for candidates, not parties in an effort to not be a hypocrite.

4. I will continue to be a card carrying member of the "vast right wing conspiracy" while I have the chance.