I am a Program Coordinator with the smithsonian associates. I would like to welcome you all to a stimulating program on the myth of the lost cause. It is always a pleasure to welcome ed own cap her back to the smithsonian. Through the years, he has presented many outstanding programs to us on the civil war topics. This is his 10th appearance. He is the book review editor of civile editor. He was an adjunct professor at Muhlenberg College degrees from Old Dominion University and Muhlenberg College as well as a law degree from jail. Theerved as a lawyer with federal government for more than 34 years. As a retired commander in the u. S. Coast guard reserve as well. He is the author of six books on Civil War History including, the myths of the lost cause why the south fought the civil war and why the north won. Which was published last fall and on which tonights program is based. His book will be available in the museum shops outside at the end of tonights program. He will be happy to sign
The british. On the other side unionists will say George Washington in his farewell address said the price the union of any allegiance. Actually robert e. Lee is reading a biography of George Washington in the months before the civil war and he is hearing these arguments and he concludes that he basically agrees with the unionist position. He believes George Washington would have opposed secession. So what else does lee say to Francis Blair . He says he would would gladly washes hands of slavery. He would gladly get rid of all slavery if it would avoid war rate but then he says how can i raise my sword against my native state . Here the blair family position says lee hesitated that is lee told the story he gave the answer once, no biggie turned down the command though he did not turn his commission to the army surfer more than three decades. He returns to arlington house. He soon learns that virginia in fact has voted to secede from the union and there on april 20 the writes a letter r
Assistant to president george bush graduate of yale university. [applause] thank you so much for that love and lovely introduction judy. As you mention i used to work as a president ial speechwriter before i started writing this book so you can imagine my shock when i learned that the subject of my new book didnt much care for my old occupation. In fact robert e. Lee was so offended when he heard George Washington might have used a ghostwriter to pen his famous farewell address that he refused to believe it. He said anyone who says George Washington used a ghostwriter was quote injudicious. So if ive learned nothing else from writing his biography its that i should say a little bit less about my own biography. Im so pleased to be at this Beautiful House and im so grateful to the Historical Society for inviting me today. I had a chance to go over to see the Historical Society earlier today and it is such a wonderful facility and im so happy to see it expanding. Thats a great thing for p
Jonathan has appeared as a commentator on msnbc and bbc radio. Is writing has appeared in the new york times, the Weekly Standard and other outlets. During his time at the white house johnson served as a speechwriter and special assistant to president george bush, a graduate of yale university, and we welcome him to Filson Historical Society. [applause] thank you so much for the lovely introduction, judy. As was mentioned used to work as a president ial speechwriter before start writing this book, so you can imagine my shock when i learned that the subject of my new book didnt much care for my old occupation. In fact, robert e. Lee was so offended when he heard George Washington might accused a ghostwriter to pin his famous farewell address that he refused to believe it. He said that anyone who said George Washington is a ghostwriter was quote injudicious. So if ive learned nothing else from writing this biography, its that i should say a little bit less about my own biography. Im so p
Next Jonathan Horn recounts robert e. Lees decision to join the Confederate Army after being sought by the north and the south. From louisville kentucky, its about an hour. Its my pleasure to introduce dr. Horn. He is an author and former white house president ial speechmaker who spent years researching and writing his robert e. Lee biography the man who would not be washington published in january of this year. Jonathan has appeared as a commentator on msnbc and nbc radio. His writing has appeared in the New York Times the Weekly Standard and other outlets. During his time the white house jonathan served as a speechwriter and special assistant to president george bush and as a graduate of io university and we welcome him to louisville university. [applause] thank you so much for that lovely introduction judy. As was mentioned i used to work as a president ial speechwriter before i started writing this book. So you can imagine my shock when i learned that the subject of my new book did