I may have mentioned the touching meetings in the early 1900s of Civil War soldiers from both the North and the South. I think it is instructive in regard to what our own feelings should be in this country in order to create a more perfect union. The rhetoric is over the top, and I know most people are as grieved about it as I am. Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad stuff going on beyond rhetoric.
There is an excerpt from Westmoreland County, Virginia: Parts I and II (published in 1912) that I’d like to share with you. Then I will link a couple of videos about the Civil War reunions. It would be interesting to find out if any West Virginians were in attendance. I may also link a couple of other videos.
From page 146:
In the great work of reconciliation and peace between the sections; in the union of the Blue and Gray in perpetuation of the era of good feeling and fellowship in the great work of general amnesty to rehabilitate a common country under a common flag and a common destiny, recently it has been the custom of the Camps and Army Posts of Northern veterans to invite the Southern Camps and Confederate Associations North to the banquet table of a common hospitality and God-given patriotism.
Recently one of these reunions took place at the North, and a sour, censorious, bitter old New England spinster became offended and inflamed, and sent in a vicious protest to the chairman of the Committee of Invitation — who was Commander of the Camp — against this mixing up and meeting of Southern veterans. The Commander read it and was stung and stirred by the tone and language used. He turned to his wife and said: "Wife, how shall I answer this?" The wife replied: "Husband, I reckon you know how to reply to it." So the next morning the Commander sent this reply: "Dear Miss, there are Confederate soldiers in Heaven. If you do not wish to meet them and want to avoid them, go to hell." These last words are not profane, and if the most fastidious think so, it can be truly said it is the least profane way in which they were ever used, and oh! the genuine satisfaction in uttering them. The true New England woman — gentlewoman — does not feel like this old bitter spinster.
First, some background:
The reunions:
Respect at Appomattox, April 9, 1865:
My thoughts:
It is my personal conviction that most wars are stirred up by powerful entities behind the scenes who stand to gain financially from pitting people and nations against each other. We should be committed to exposing them. I am often reminded of this Bible verse in I Timothy 6:10 (NKJV): “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Surely, those of us who know our great history and understand our founding documents hope to preserve this nation, along with our rights and freedoms, under the watchful eyes of honest, worthy officials. We all have to do our part, and that requires a search for the truth about everything that happens.
Battle Hymn:
Whether it suits you or not, our country was founded on Christian principles, but no one is compelled to be a Christian. All religions that promote “good” are respected. Anyone who tries to deny or discount the Christian influences in our early history is simply exposing his own ignorance. Grab a will book from the 18th or 19th century, and read what people wrote as they faced death. You’ll find some of the evidence there.
Agree 100%. Follow the money. History shows time and time again that greed is the culprit.