Where Are You Heading? (Latin Phrase)

In the tumultuous times of the 1860s, Confederate General Robert E. Lee stood against secession, viewing it as a destructive act that threatened the unity intended by the founding fathers. Despite his loyalty to his home state, Virginia, Lee resigned from the U.S. Army rather than fight against it [1].

Lee's opposition to secession was grounded in his belief that it was akin to revolution, leading to civil war and political violence. He denounced the abolitionists for their efforts to interfere with Southern institutions, warning that such interference could only be accomplished through civil and servile war [2]. Lee saw violence as a tragic outcome of political breakdown rather than a legitimate means to resolve disputes.

Lee's stance was rooted in a complex loyalty to both constitutional order and regional identity, as contextualized by the Southern Essays of Richard M. Weaver [1][2]. He prioritized state allegiance over national unity, viewing secession as nothing but revolution and a dissolution of the Union as a greater calamity for the country than any other [2].

In today's divisive climate, many Americans find solace in Lee's words. The division of the country is terrifyingly real, and his reflections on the destructive consequences of political conflict resonate strongly.

Meanwhile, a different story unfolds across the globe. Reports suggest that an allegedly pro-Russian operative, Sergei Dubinin, was photographed with the QAnon Shaman at the Capitol building last Wednesday [3]. Dubinin, wanted by the Ukrainian Interior Ministry since April 2017 for his activities in Eastern Ukraine (Donbas), is believed to have been in Washington, D.C. last week [3].

The geopolitical landscape is further complicated by tensions between China and the U.S., with China aiming nuclear weapons at the U.S. and its military poised for war [4]. These developments serve as a stark reminder that the consequences of political conflict can extend far beyond national borders.

In the midst of these global challenges, Lee's hope for the future, expressed in a testament of faith found among his papers in 1887 by Colonel Charles Marshall, remains a beacon of optimism [5]. Despite the turmoil, perhaps there is still room for wisdom and patriotism to save the Union.

[1] https://www.history.com/news/robert-e-lee-secession [2] https://www.history.com/news/robert-e-lee-abolitionists [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/15/us/politics/capitol-riot-investigation.html [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/11/us/politics/china-us-relations.html [5] https://www.history.com/news/robert-e-lee-testament-of-faith

The philosophies of General Robert E. Lee, as presented in the Southern Essays by Richard M. Weaver, might provide insight in today's world marked by increasing political conflict and division, reminding us of his concern for freedom and unity, both on a national and regional level.
As the global stage is shaken by conflicts between powers like Russia and China, and the deployment of nuclear weapons by China, it becomes evident that the ramifications of political turmoil can transcend national boundaries, echoing Lee's warnings about the destructive nature of war-and-conflicts.
In comparison to the historical struggles of the 1860s, war-and-conflicts continue to plague the world today, shedding light on the necessity of wisdom and patriotism to navigate politics, ensuring peace and freedom across nations.
In this era of general-news dominated by reports of military tensions, political upheavals, and war-and-conflicts, the historical reflections of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on the consequences of civil war serve as an important reminder of the need for diplomacy and unity in the face of division.
While leaders pilot the course of countries like Russia and China into danger, the voice of a figure like Robert E. Lee, who valued freedom and unity above all else, through his writing and actions, continues to call forth the best in humanity, urging us to seek solutions beyond violence and tyranny that strength our democratic institutions and preserve our shared history.