I was familiar with that article in the Atlantic before I wrote the post. I guess the point is, close scrutiny of almost any historical figure will reveal their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Biographies in early decades generally glossed over the faults but modern historians and biographies try to show these individuals in their true complexity.Hi Prothero.
By all accounts Robert E. Lee was an honorable man
Take a look at this article — Cavacava
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Indeed, but there was not a racial element to the ancients' slavery.There is the Acropolis in Greece and the Forum in Rome, both have been around a long time, statues and all. The Greeks and the Romans both had slaves, BTW — prothero
I guess so. In terms of a spectrum of acceptability, perhaps Lee is towards the more acceptable end - though "more" acceptable does not necessarily mean "acceptable" of course..I just think seeing any/all confederate monuments as just a symbol of slavery is historically incorrect — prothero
You know if it was put to a vote and the majority voted... — prothero
That's crap — Cavacava
"Racist or fraught figures." Now that's a very wide opening for dubious decisions. — Bitter Crank
I don't think you could disengage the enemy that easily and regroup like you could in more modern wars. — Chany
Indeed, but there was not a racial element to the ancients' slavery. — Jake Tarragon
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.