Suzan B Anthony
Richmond is the capital of Virginia, this year many visitors will come to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the publication of "Gone with the Wind" or the 150th year since the start of the Civil War. The once-neglected downtown finally feels fresh, lively and full of food—185 restaurants have opened in the last ten years.
Suzan B. Anthony was born in Richmond into a middle class southern white family. General Sheridan’s Cavalry destroyed the family home in 1863 the third year of the civil war, and her parents moved to Appomattox Court Courthouse, thirty-five miles west of Richmond, thinking it a safe haven and unlikely to attract any fighting. Their home is where General Lee surrendered to General U. S. Grant, in 1865 ending our civil war, and precisely the day the 14th amendment came into being. Abolition! It stated all Americans are created equal. There will be no more slavery regardless of skin color, race, origin of ancestors. We are all United States Americans.
It had been one hundred and forty seven years since the Declaration of Independence was written, as Abraham Lincoln stated in his famous Gettysburg Address. The Emancipation Proclamation.
To the Victors go the spoils. The right for anyone to receive the reward of their labors. The Federal Union now had the authority to: Conscript men into the armed forces, if need be, to protect its citizens both internally and externally. It could now levy an income tax did almost immediately so as to help maintain its authority. The Government exists to protect all of its States against any internal or external efforts to challenge its existence.
Suzan rode home from Richmond on her horse. She viewed the signing of the surrender. She was much welcomed by her father and mother of course.
Amazingly, in a little town called Appatomox, it was the last day of the civil war, the 4th of July 1865, the signing of the Unconditional Surrender between US Grant, and Robert E Lee, on a little table inside the family home, the Union Army and Staff General Phil Sheridan all at Parade Rest, family gathered about, Suzan home, safe and sound.
“Free at Last! Free at Last!”
KARL WALLACE
To read more Karl Wallace writings go to: karlwallaceblog.blogspot.com
