Civil War Soldier and Lady Liberty
This is an original 1865 print by Thomas Nast, one of the most popular artists of the 1800's. It is one of the most touching and dramatic of all Civil War Art of Negro Soldiers, and one of my personal favorites. The print shows a Union Buffalo Soldier who lost his leg in the Civil War. He is standing in his Union uniform, and is supported by crutches. He has lost his leg well above his knee. Lady Liberty stands by the soldier, with her hand tenderly placed upon his shoulder. She is looking out of the picture and pointing to him with her other hand, as if to ask, "what shall we do with this man".
One of the striking lessons I learned in college is how comprehensive were the reforms we intended during Reconstruction. There's a distinct possibility that the race-based injustices and strife we suffered well into the 20th century, that we're still dealing with today, could have been avoided if we had stayed with Reconstruction until its conclusion rather than cut it off for short-term expedient political reasons.
In my opinion, if Reconstruction had succeeded as intended, we would have been a better and stronger nation.
There are lessons in our own post-Civil War failures I think we can apply to our various Reconstruction-type projects in the War on Terror.
Posted by: Eric Chen | July 05, 2008 at 09:20 AM
From what I've learned of that era, I agree. It seems to me and to many others, real liberty for *all* black Americans is only four decades long. This is due to the facts as you stated them, culminating in Plessy v. Ferguson. Its reversal--Brown v. Topeka Board--was the legal beginning of the end.
Posted by: baldilocks | July 05, 2008 at 09:57 AM
What shall we do with this man?
The answer seems to have been, what ever you do, don't let him vote. Lynch him while we look the other way. Complain that we aren't "ready" for a black president.
Posted by: Sister Mary Martha | July 05, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Not following your logic, Sister.
Posted by: baldilocks | July 05, 2008 at 03:48 PM
The caption at the bottom reads:
FRANCHISE
And not this man?
Obviously advocating for the vote for blacks, back in 1865! Hurrah Nast!
Posted by: justsalt | July 10, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Not sure I'd call him a "Buffalo Soldier". That was an Indian term, IMO it applies to black soldiers involved in the Indian wars, not the Civil War.
Sister Mary,
This white guy is ready for a black president. There is a black woman, last name Rice, that I'd vote for. I'll pass on any leftist candidate, regardless of color . . .
Posted by: Don | July 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM