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Story
July 2, 1867
The Western Democrat
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Raphael Semmes, ex-Confederate admiral, presented Union colors to the steamer Commercial in Memphis and gave a speech calling for Southerners to heal Civil War wounds, forget the conflict, and embrace the flag as a symbol of their common country.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
VIEWS OF A WELL KNOWN CONFEDERATE.—Raphael Semmes, ex-Confederate admiral, presented a set of Union colors to the steamer Commercial, at Memphis, last week, and made a speech, winding up as follows:
"We were beaten in the war, and the flag of the conqueror became our flag.
Take, then, these colors, captain; they are the colors of our common country, whatever may be their present signification. We can all feel an honest pride in their more ancient history, as I trust we shall be enabled to do in their future history. With regard to what I may call their especial history—that is the history which covers the four years of our internecine war—it is our duty both as Christians and brethren, to forget it.
That war has left many and ghastly wounds.
Let us of the South, do our part by closing them with a tender and gentle hand, so that no scars may remain to remind us of the conflict.—And let us endeavor also to convert this new flag into the old flag again, that we may love it as of yore."
"We were beaten in the war, and the flag of the conqueror became our flag.
Take, then, these colors, captain; they are the colors of our common country, whatever may be their present signification. We can all feel an honest pride in their more ancient history, as I trust we shall be enabled to do in their future history. With regard to what I may call their especial history—that is the history which covers the four years of our internecine war—it is our duty both as Christians and brethren, to forget it.
That war has left many and ghastly wounds.
Let us of the South, do our part by closing them with a tender and gentle hand, so that no scars may remain to remind us of the conflict.—And let us endeavor also to convert this new flag into the old flag again, that we may love it as of yore."
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Recovery
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Confederate Admiral
Union Colors
Civil War Reconciliation
Memphis Speech
Flag Presentation
What entities or persons were involved?
Raphael Semmes
Where did it happen?
Memphis
Story Details
Key Persons
Raphael Semmes
Location
Memphis
Event Date
Last Week
Story Details
Ex-Confederate admiral Raphael Semmes presents Union colors to the steamer Commercial's captain in Memphis, delivering a speech on forgetting the Civil War's wounds, healing as brethren, and restoring pride in the shared flag.