The battle of the Plains of Abraham

A battle to remember –Star editorial Sept 10th.




There is a difference in re-enacting the battle of the Plains of Abraham and a historical documentary about the same battle. It did happened, and it is history.
Re-enactment is akin to the Orange parade held annually to commemorate William, Prince of Orange’s humiliation of the Irish. It’s like waving a red flag before the bull, and serves no good purpose.

A factual rendition of the Plains of Abraham battle in a documentary is another matter. You don’t have to watch it if you don't like it. While it is true that the Americans are planning to “celebrate” the battle of Gettysburg, there is a difference: Theirs was a civil war, not a foreign nation against another. It ultimately led to uniting the states; and it did not perpetuate their difference by giving the South their own language and religion. Even so, there is still a social/emotional difference between the North and the South; even after all these years.

We should be mindful of Quebecker’s sensitivities and not unnecessarily "kick sand in their eyes”. Desmond Morris has put a positive spin on the conflict. The willingness of the British to grant the defeated their own language, religion and civil law is a positive that should be stressed; but not by enacting the defeat of Quebeckers –now our countrymen, in their own home.