Sentiments we can understand - from 1876

[Fred]

    Back during the 1st Centennial, there were a lot of books published about the American Revolution (actually, the Rev War), one of which was this one:

The Boys of '76: A History of the Battles of the Revolution
By Charles Carleton Coffin
Published by Harper & brothers, 1876

     Here's the preface. I think you will like reading it...

PREFACE

     The story of the American Revolution -- what our fathers accomplished, their hardships, heroism, and self-denial, in securing the independence of the country and in advancing liberty and happiness throughout the world -- will have an interest and charm of its own so long as the desire for freedom exists in the hearts of men.

     In this volume an attempt has been made to give a concise, plain, and authentic narrative of the principal battles of the Revolution as witnessed by those who took part in them...

     One hundred years have passed since "the Boys of '76" shouldered their muskets and fought for their liberties. The sufferings, hardships, hatreds, and barbarities of that struggle, all have passed away, and Americans and Britons are brothers; but the story of the struggle -- the patriotism, self-denial, and devotion -- will never be forgotten. That a perusal of these pages may deepen the love of the boys of the present generation for their country, and quicken their love for liberty and the rights of man, is the earnest hope of C. C. G. [the author]


     Here's the crunch, from the modern Appleseed point-of-view: "The story of the American Revolution...will have an interest and charm of its own so long as the desire for freedom exists in the hearts of men."

     True. And the irony is maybe that we are using the story of the American Revolution - at least, that of the first day - to awaken "the desire for freedom exists in the hearts of men" - in other words, turning it around for (on) modern Americans...

     And the sad part, "the story of the struggle -- the patriotism, self-denial, and devotion -- will never be forgotten", may have been true in 1876, but is no longer true, and hasn't been true for more decades than I'd like to count.

     May this program succeed in making it remembered once again...

[LayloPro]

Fred,

I believe I speak for all of us here when I say a hearty "Amen" to those sentiments.....

Looks like another good book to add to the reading list, doesn't it, folks?

LLP

[Francis Marion]

    Back during the 1st Centennial, there were a lot of books published about the American Revolution (actually, the Rev War), one of which was this one:

The Boys of '76: A History of the Battles of the Revolution
By Charles Carleton Coffin
Published by Harper & brothers, 1876

    ...

Is that a modern reprint or a vintage book?

[Fred]

     Both. I just bought a 1918 copy on ABE (American Book Exchange) for $8.50. There's a modern reprint out, also.