The Confederate
Soldier is taking Mr. Lincoln's hand, accepting his offer of friendship and
restoration. Mr. Lincoln his his left hand extended to a Union
soldier, and that soldier is grasping his hand as well. Seen in the
background is a black woman holding a small child, indicating Nast's vision
of the future United country had a place for not only pardoned Confederate
Soldiers, but emancipated slaves as well.
The Union Flag is seen
flying in the background, over a group of citizens united by Lincoln.
The image is captioned, "United We Stand". It presents Lincoln as both
the United and the Emancipator. It presents Nast's image of hope for a
future country that would once again stand united together.
The other images show
additional patriotic images. The upper left inset drawing presents
Columbia freeing slaves from chains. The image is captioned, "Thank
God for Maryland Freeing Her Slaves." The freed slaves include a small child
and a proud soldier carrying a gun.
The upper right image
shows Columbia weeping and praying over a flag. She is kneeling in prayer
over the flag, and the caption reads, "Thank God for Union Victories".
The Lower center image
continues the reverent theme, and shows General William T. Sherman, Butler,
and Grant, as well as two other Generals. This image is captioned,
"Blessed are the Peace-Makers.
This is a stunning image.
The theme of "United We Stand", which was first introduced in this patriotic
image has become a rallying cry for our united nation ever since. |