Those who study and research the Civil War and see history as an end unto itself have nothing to apologize for. Such are true historians and researchers. Those who would use history to further an agenda -- regardless of whether that agenda is good or bad -- turn history into propaganda. Once an historian crosses that line, he forfeits the credibility he has spent a lifetime acquiring. His motives will be forever suspect; everything he writes will be scrutinized to discern whether his words are agenda-driven and biased.
Case in point -- there was a Civil War writer who passed away not too long ago, whose early books were models of research and critical analysis. He was a real comer in the field of Civil War history. Then he got mixed up with some League of the South whackos, and his subsequent books became unapologetic propaganda. Virtually everything he wrote for the rest of his life was agenda-driven. His credibility plummetted. Now, when his earlier works are cited, people question if they were written before or after he went crazy. His name no longer commands the respect and deference it once had. He had squandered his hard-earned credibility to further a socio-political agenda. Once a man loses his credibility, I don't know if it's possible to regain it.
So here's to the historians and researchers who labor purely for the love of history. They are sorely needed in these uncertain times.
Very good post, Bos.