It's been a long time since I've had a monument trivia question, in large part because I have been preoccupied with many things of late. But yesterday I had the chance to take a picture of a pretty grand Civil War monument. Once we get this settled I want to talk about the story of the war and also the peace afterwards that this monument tells. Also I want to talk a little bit about the person who donated money for the construction of this monument, But right now I have a simple question: where is this?
Civil War Monument Trivia
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A rare chance to be first on one of these, one that's easy for me, having visited it many times – its part of the Centennial Exposition Grounds in West Philly, part of the Fairmount Park System, not far from the zoo. A neat area – when I first moved to Philly, the area was a bit run down, but the main exposition hall has been (thankfully) revitalized. A very neat place. Lots that can be said about it.
I'm looking forward to reading about the story behind this monument…
You are, of course, right Matt. It's the Smith Memorial Arch in Fairmont Park, which was paid for by Philadelphia industrialist Richard Smith. He left money in his will for the memorial. Among the many interesting aspects of this is the tablet on the memorial, which focuses on the reunification of north and south in the wake of Civil War. There is no mention of slavery as a cause of the war, nor any reference to emancipation as a consequence. This is an excellent example of the northern narrative in the late 19th and early 20th century.
"There is no mention of slavery as a cause of the war, nor any reference to emancipation as a consequence.This is an excellent example of the northern narrative in the late 19th and early 20th century."
That's right, Al. With malice toward none and charity for all.
LEt's do everything we can to erase that spirit, shall we? By all means, let's reopen old wounds, divide up our people on the basis of race, and incite racial hatreds (ignoring the sacrifices and deaths of so many "whites" in the cause of racial unity)! Let's refuse to acknowledge any progress, and make the most of every set back!
That's "history" at its finest!
anon at 5:40,
The problem with your perspective is that several Attorney's General, like Nebraska's Doug Peterson and Sessions, are still litigating the Civil War. They are State's Rights extremists. Their rhetoric is alarming and disturbing, anti-federal everything. It was the same rhetoric used to justify Jim Crow.
"the memorial … focuses on the reunification of north and south in the wake of Civil War."
Isn't that just plain awful! Who could imagine such a thing!
Because of air conditioning, the South finally won the Civil War on January 20, 2017, 12:01 pm, EDT.