The Civil War, which some people still call the “Northern War of Aggression,” is in the news because this week marks the 150th anniversary of Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, which effectively ended the fighting between armies. Columnist Leonard Pitts wrote of that event,
“… as beaten rebels surrendered their weapons to the Union Army[,] Union General Joshua Chamberlain remarked to Southern counterpart Henry Wise that perhaps now ‘brave men may become good friends.’ Wise’s reply was bitter as smoke. ‘You’re mistaken, sir,’ he said. ‘You may forgive us, but we won’t be forgiven. There is a rancor in our hearts which you little dream of. We hate you, sir.’“
A century-and-a-half on, some things have changed and others haven’t. Yes, the South is different.
Photo: Henry A. Wise, lawyer, politician, and Confederate general