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Old Virginia BlogAnyone who believes the war was fought only over money, the inhumanity of human bondage, or the complexities of state vs. federal rights, misses a crucial ingredient. Regardless of the causes of the war, the men who shouldered the burden of war did so, largely, for honor.
Honor strikes a primal chord in men's hearts and honor was such a defining element of the war that it continues to strike a primal chord in people around the world a century and a half later . . . We are confronted today with serious problems that seem overwhelming in their scope and complexity, but the solutions have already been written in the blood of our ancestors. We just need to look back to see them.
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Since honor is so lacking in our modern culture, it is often misunderstood and overlooked by professional historians. As I once heard James Robertson point out, "Robert E. Lee never existed [in the minds of some] because we don't have a Robert E. Lee today."
It is impossible to understand the WBTS without understanding the concept of honor. It is even less likely one will be able to understand the WBTS without an appreciation for the concept of honor.
The last battle flag given to the consolidated regiment of the 34th Mississippi Infantry had embroidered on it, "Honor Without A Stain". Under this banner they marched into the Carolinas in 1865. Honor is too sublime a word for this generation. Millenia ago, Thucydides recognized honor as one of the only three motivators of men besides self-interest and fear. True dat, cuz'.
ReplyDeleteThucydides recognized honor as one of the only three motivators of men besides self-interest and fear.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I hadn't heard that.