David, we have to admit some folks in here are undeniably passionate about believing in the righteousness of their cause. Mac's post goes straight to the very issues that caused the war and we have not ever settled on an agreement.

I believe the Confederate soldier, for the most part, viewed himself as defending the ideals of the Constitution. No invasion and take over of Washington was planned. Just a simple breaking away. However, it becomes clear that the northern states did not believe the Union could endure without the southern states and thus the idea of the CS soldier "destroying" the federal union a.k.a. federal government was born.

We will always be hobbled by passions in our efforts to understand and honor those who fought. Maybe someday passion will give way to reason and differences of opinions can be raised without one side or both attacking somebody.

Bryan Howerton and I were disagreeing about this pension idea I posted. We each did our best to make the other understand our position then shook hands and went on our friendly way. I wish we were all like Bryan, able to be analytical without being over emotional.