did what they were told or what they thought was right

Ah- I see.... the Secesh were only following orders. And Slavery was 'ordained by God'. Well, that't all right then, innit?

Good, wise, and generous men at the North, is power and out of power, for whose good intentions and patriotism we must all have the highest respect, doubt the wisdom of observing this memorial day, and would have us forget and forgive, strew flowers alike and lovingly, on rebel and on loyal graves. This sentiment is noble and generous, worthy of all honor as such; but it is only a sentiment after all, and must submit to its own rational limitations. There was a right side and a wrong side in the late war, which no sentiment ought to cause us to forget, and while to-day we should have malice toward none, and charity toward all, it is no part of our duty to confound right with wrong, or loyalty with treason.

          -Frederick Douglass

The Whole Speech deserves reading, a good part of it is still as relevant - if not more so - than it was in 1878


One wonders why Greg F couldn't express an opinion

Because that opinion would be obvious to anyone who wasn't a racist, an apologist for treason, a supporter/defender of a war waged to protect and extend chattel slavery, or segregationist opponent of 1960's civil rights legislation?

wonder why Greg couldn't tell us that.

Because Greg assumes (perhaps incorrectly?) that y'all can read?