The Civil War was America ’s bloodiest war, yet when it began politicians on both sides claimed that victory was assured, the war would be some sort of grand adventure, and that it would be over in a short time. The public, North and South, were stunned when the politicians were wrong and the casualty lists mounted.
After the war, on what was originally called “Decoration Day,” bands played, veterans marched, and most importantly, the cost of the war was counted, and the graves of the Civil War dead were decorated with flags and flowers.
It is worth noting that back when the intended purpose of Memorial Day was fresh in the minds of the American people it was not considered a “celebration,” but a solemn reminder that settling the great issues behind the Civil War was a costly enterprise for which thousands of Americans gave their lives.
It is also worth noting that back when the original purpose of Memorial Day was fresh in the minds of Americans, it seems that politicians and elected officials were not nearly so quick to advocate the use of military force, and the notion that we Americans might engage in “nation building” in far off lands or spread western democracy at the point of a gun was a minority view at best.
In the 160 years since the Civil War ended, and Americans began taking a day in May to remember the Civil War’s fallen, many more American war dead have joined those of the Civil War in our Nation’s cemeteries.
What’s more, as the Civil War has receded into history, the idea of visiting cemeteries to honor the Nation’s war dead has taken on a quaintly Victorian air to many secular Americans, and as Memorial Day has diminished as a solemn reminder of the cost of war, the first to forget the day’s true purpose seem to be the politicians.
This year, as politicians in some quarters are beating the drums for a war with Iran, Americans might fairly remind each other that Memorial Day is not a celebration of war, but a caution against engaging in war and accepting its terrible cost for anything less than the survival of the Nation.
George Rasley is editor of Richard Viguerie's ConservativeHQ.com and is a veteran of over 300 political campaigns. A member of American MENSA, he served on the Indiana-Tennessee Civil War Commission, among his Civil War ancestors is Captain J.A.S. Mitchell of the 2nd Indiana Cavalry Regiment. Another ancestor, Congressman James DeFreese sponsored the bill to readmit Tennessee to the Union after the Civil War.
- Memorial Day
- Big Beautiful Bill
- Trump Agenda
- MAGA
- Tax cuts
- Border Security
- Decoration Day
- Civil war casualties
- military force
