VIEWSnThe Future of American Nationalismnby Clyde Wilsonn”All the evidence shows that differentiation which is not fragmentation is ansource of strength. But such differentiation is possible only if there is a centerntoward which the parts look for their meaning and validation.”n— Richard M. WeavernOne of the most interesting of many superb memoirs ofnthe American Civil War is that of the erudite ConfederatenGeneral Dick Taylor, called Destruction and Reconstruction.nDuring the closing days of the war, Taylor foundnhimself in command of the last remnants of organizednConfederate troops in the Gulf states. After the surrender ofnthe armies of Lee and Johnston and the capture of hisnbrother-in-law President Davis, Taylor saw nothing for it butnto open surrender negotiations with the nearest federalncommander.nHungry and shabby, he went to meet General EdwardnGanby under a flag of truce, and was received by thatnsplendidly accoutred Union officer with quiet courtesy andnrespect. Gonquered and conqueror sat down to a welcomenbreakfast. In his usual dry and understated way, Taylornremembered what happened next:nThere was, as ever, a skeleton at the feast, in thenperson of a general officer who had recently leftnGermany to become a citizen and soldier of thenUnited States. This person, with the strong accentnClyde Wilson is a professor of history at the University ofnSouth Carolina in Columbia and editor of The Papers ofnJohn C. Calhoun. He is also author of Carolina Cavalier:nThe Life and Mind of James Johnston Pettigrevv,nreviewed in the October issue.n16/CHRONICLESnnnand idioms of the Fathedand, comforted me bynassurances that we of the South would speedilynrecognize our ignorance and errors, especially aboutnslavery and the rights of the States, and rejoice innthe results of the war. In vain Ganby and Palmerntried to suppress him. … I apologized meekly fornmy ignorance, on the ground that my ancestors hadncome from England to Virginia in 1608, and, innthe short intervening period of two hundred andnfifty-odd years, had found no time to transmit tonme correct ideas of the duties of Americanncitizenship. Moreover, my grandfather,ncommanding the 9th Virginia regiment in ournRevolutionary army, had assisted in the defeat andncapture of the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton, andnI lamented that he had not, by association withnthese worthies, enlightened his understanding. Mynfriend smiled blandly, and assured me of hisnwillingness to instruct me.nTaylor was too much the gentleman to mention that thenperson to be instructed by the newcomer on the principlesnof Americanism was also the son of a President of thenUnited States.nThis small incident speaks volumes about the history andnnature of American nationalism. (Nationalism I will hereinnconsider to be a people’s idea of themselves, their more orn