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Ambrose Bierce - The Confederate Flags
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Tut-tut! give back the flags — how can you care,
   You veterans and heroes?
Why should you at a kind intention swear
   Like twenty Neros?
   
Suppose the act was not so overwise —
   Suppose it was illegal;
Is`t well on such a question to arise
   And punch the Eagle?
   
Nay, let`s economize his breath to scold
   And terrify the alien
Who tackles him, as Hercules of old
   The bird Stymphalian.
   
Among the rebels when we made a breach
   Was it to get the banners?
That was but incidental — `twas to teach
   Them better manners.
   
They know the lessons well enough to-day;
   Now, let us try to show them
That we`re not only stronger far than they,
   (How we did mow them!)
   
But more magnanimous. My lads, `tis plain
   `Twas an uncommon riot;
The warlike tribes of Europe fight for gain;
   We fought for quiet.
   
If we were victors, then we all must live
   With the same flag above us;
`Twas all in vain unless we now forgive
   And make them love us.
   
Let kings keep trophies to display above
   Their doors like any savage;
The freeman`s trophy is the foeman`s love,
   Despite war`s ravage.
   
"Make treason odious?" My friends, you`ll find
   You can`t, in right and reason,
While "Washington" and "treason" are combined —
   "Hugo" and "treason."
   
All human governments must take the chance
   And hazard of sedition.
O wretch! to pledge your manhood in advance
   To blind submission.
   
It may be wrong, it may be right, to rise
   In warlike insurrection:
The loyalty that fools so dearly prize
   May mean subjection.
   
Be loyal to your country, yes — but how
   If tyrants hold dominion?
The South believed they did; can`t you allow
   For that opinion?
   
He who will never rise though rulers plot,
   His liberties despising —
He is he manlier than the sans-culottes
   Who`s always rising?
   
Give back the foolish flags whose bearers fell,
   Too valiant to forsake them.
Is it presumptuous, this counsel? Well,
   I helped to take them.
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