As the New York Times says – quoting Shelby Foote , who, I think, was quoting somebody else –  in an editorial, 150 years ago These United States became The United States. Lee had been badly mauled at Gettysburg and Vicksburg had finally fallen to General Ulysses S Grant giving control of the mighty Mississippi to the Union. It would be only a matter of time before the southern secessionists would be brought back into the Union and that the – in the words of President Abraham Lincoln – government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

It would still be another 100 to 150 years and more before people of all kinds – The People – could march in a 4th of July Parade, carrying the flag, with pride and a feeling of belonging, but that time is coming.