My (modest) library includes the late Clarence Carson’s six volume A Basic History of The United States, which, by the way, I happily recommend to anyone interested in our country’s history, especially if you have school and university age children or grandchildren.

The third volume is titled, The Sections and The Civil War (1826-1877). Dr. Carson vividly describes a country whose divisions, culminating in a catastrophic war, “constituted a major break in the continuity of American history …. the memory and resentment lingered on … long after the desire for revenge or retribution, or the memory of the animosities had died out ….”

Dr. Carson goes on to demonstrate how the 20th Century wars and politics reflected many of the impulses manifested in the Civil War, but that is not the focus of this post.

My point is that after the war and the reconstruction which immediately followed, the wounds and resentments were very real and impossible to heal, apart from God’s grace.

One of the tools for healing was the publication in 1872 and 1874 of the two-volume Picturesque America. This massive work included 900 wood engravings and fifty steel engravings of scenes from Maine to Florida, from New York to California, and countless places between. About twenty years ago I found a two volume centennial edition which, although not as magnificent as the original, 19th Century editions, was nevertheless beautiful and, importantly, affordable. I purchased it for our children’s curriculum.

Picturesque America was edited by the poet, William Cullen Bryant and includes works of art and essays by numerous artists and authors. 

As I consider the very real anger and hatred towards our history and heritage, knowing that however irrational and ahistorical it is — and it is ahistorical — it is nevertheless very genuine … and dangerous. 

This is not a situation amenable to short-term correction.

However, a publication such as Picturesque America would surely be a balm on these angry waters for it illustrates that our land is truly beautiful with a lifetime of scenes and adventures to relish and experience, should one have the time and budget and discipline to do so. 

But even if one simply cannot personally visit any of these sites, he would certainly be able to read descriptions and histories or appreciate photos or paintings thereof. 

The intent of Picturesque America was to help heal the divisions and promote a unity among our country’s peoples. My personal opinion is that there was a growth of unity in the late 19th Century and into the 20th. However, this was due primarily to religious factors which we cannot discuss in this post. Nevertheless, those factors enabled an appreciation of the publication along with a love for the land and her people: in essence a love for one another.

May we see a like spirit in the days ahead, whether or not we are once again blessed with a similar publication.