Just want to apologize to taking so long to acknowledge your kind reply. I've been traveling overseas and JUST now catching up with things. Also, I'm still a little rusty with substack. Have you cruised my own blog at kennethburchell.substack.com ?
I have always found the way statues are accepted or rejected absolutely fascinating. It really does go to show that a statue is not just an artifact of the past, but a statement of intent. I had the pleasure of seeing the Grant Statue as well when I visited the U.S. capitol several years ago. I hope to return there sometime soon.
I'm reading Caroline Janney's Remembering the Civil War at the moment. So, I wonder if the rejection of an unmartial Grant by the GAR in particular would also be connected to a rejection of a reconciliationist or Lost Cause reading of the war. "Peace, but not peace at the cost of forgetting what we fought for", would be the intended statement.
We live in South Portland, sorry we missed you! I hope you have a relaxing vacation. You’ve found one of our gems in the art museum, plus a great statue of US Grant!
I had the same thought when I first read the description. I suspect that the GAR thought it reflected too much sectional reconciliation at a time when many members remained antagonistic toward former Confederates.
The first one was superior in every way.
I agree.
Just want to apologize to taking so long to acknowledge your kind reply. I've been traveling overseas and JUST now catching up with things. Also, I'm still a little rusty with substack. Have you cruised my own blog at kennethburchell.substack.com ?
No worries. Thanks for sharing the link. Will definitely check it out.
I agree.
I have always found the way statues are accepted or rejected absolutely fascinating. It really does go to show that a statue is not just an artifact of the past, but a statement of intent. I had the pleasure of seeing the Grant Statue as well when I visited the U.S. capitol several years ago. I hope to return there sometime soon.
I'm reading Caroline Janney's Remembering the Civil War at the moment. So, I wonder if the rejection of an unmartial Grant by the GAR in particular would also be connected to a rejection of a reconciliationist or Lost Cause reading of the war. "Peace, but not peace at the cost of forgetting what we fought for", would be the intended statement.
Exactly. That is what I suggested below in response to Andy's comment. Thanks for the comment.
We live in South Portland, sorry we missed you! I hope you have a relaxing vacation. You’ve found one of our gems in the art museum, plus a great statue of US Grant!
We've had a great time and look forward to our next visit. You've got quite a food scene here in Portland.
Portland is quite a foodie city now.
What an appropriate serendipitous find on the General’s birthday!
“This projection of a stoic and peaceful Grant fell short of the group’s hope to showcase the General-turned-President in his military glory.”
I love it. If there was ever a general that cared less for cliched symbols of military glory, it was Grant. (Omar Bradley would be on that list, too.)
I had the same thought when I first read the description. I suspect that the GAR thought it reflected too much sectional reconciliation at a time when many members remained antagonistic toward former Confederates.
Exactly my thought. And that is a sentiment I can go along with in an anti-lost-cause sort of a way.