Our topic in this discussion between you and I has focused mainly on the treason, not slavery. Besides, Stonewall and Lee were not just “common soldiers”.
And I respect your father in law’s post-war outlook. That still doesn’t mean the government and the causes for which that government stood — and for which your father in law served — were worthy ones. Nor does it mean some of the wars Americans have fought were either.
But the issue was never the “common” soldier; it was generals and other Confederate leaders and their statues on government statehouse lawns. And that has nothing to do with whether or not I — or anyone else, for that matter — have “seen” war.
I have always respected your work and indeed find you to be intelligent and usually balanced person (which is why I continue to engage you). I may not always agree with you, but I think you have strong arguments on most topics. I guess this is just one of those topics we’ll have to agree to disagree on.
