Even if Ruffin's cannonball, that lodged into the walls of the Federal Fort Sumter was the official first shot, it was one of the many dominoes in a long line of tumbling bones that led back to the framing of our constitution. The Founding Fathers (or Brothers as author Joseph Ellis more aptly calls them), shamefully allowed for the protection of the institution of slavery as a compromise to three states that relied heavily on the slave trade for their economic system of aristocracy to flourish. Article 1, Section 9 pretty much assured that Congress would not be allowed to debate the fate of the slave trade until January 1st, 1808.That was the beginning of events that led to the blow that was landed upon the nation's chin April 11, 1864. The fight brewed and boiled for nearly eighty years until it was brought to it's four year violent crescendo.
It was like two boys in school. The talking was all done and the only way to resolve the thing was to meet on the playground after school.
- Shelby Foote
The ink from Robert E. Lee's pen on the exceptional surrender document written by U.S. Grant, brought the curtain down on a four year attempt by the Confederate States of America (CSA) to become a seperate and sovereign nation. But, the drying ink did not bring about immediate healing. Our nation struggled with reconstruction, bitterness, and to this day, the hatred of racism. The bloody four year struggle known as, The American Civil War, was merely the violent pinnacle of a battle that has raged throughout our history.
This battle is born of primal human fears of differences. We seem to fear that which is different.
The writings here, as well as responses to these writings, will not be restricted to the dates between April 11th 1861 and April 9th 1864, but will largely be about those events and landscapes between the two dates.
Please feel free to visit often, and pitch in. Educate me. Entertain me. I welcome it.
