Staunch Patriotism

In establishing a spotless memory of Burnside, the dedication aimed to replace stories of failure with a portrayal of staunch, unwavering patriotism. Indeed, the dedication took place on the “glorious” anniversary of U.S. independence,[9] inextricably linking Burnside’s legacy to American nationalism. The dedication was preceded by an extravagant parade where “the most patriotic enthusiasm…prevailed,” according to the dedication’s introduction.[10] The parade consisted of prominent politicians, veterans, and soldiers actively serving.[11] American flags “floated proudly” in the park where the monument was unveiled.[12] Further, General William T. Sherman’s presence at the parade and the playing of “Marching Through Georgia,” a melody that celebrated Sherman’s victorious campaign at the end of the Civil War,[13] conjured up an acute feeling of Northern pride. The parade and subsequent dedication ceremony for Burnside, in other words, framed the monument as a symbol of ideal U.S. patriotism and self-sacrifice.

During the dedication ceremony, Rhode Island Governor John Davis delivered a brief speech before the unveiling to drum up nationalism. He contextualized the Burnside monument by repeatedly emphasizing the preservation of the U.S. as the culmination of American patriotism. Davis articulated that the service of all Union soldiers in the “great conflict of the States” was an act that should “silence all cavil of their patriotism,”[14] suggesting that Burnside’s service as a general in the Civil War was the ultimate display of self-sacrifice for one’s country. Horatio Rogers echoed this perspective on Burnside, asserting that “greater than Burnside, the soldier or statesman, was Burnside, the patriot.”[15] Interestingly, Rogers was prioritizing Burnside’s patriotism over any of the physical contributions he made to the military or the Rhode Island or U.S. political climate, purifying Rhode Island’s memory of Burnside.

While the monument was mainly undertaken by a General Committee and Building Committee consisting of officers, veterans, and politicians with high status, The Providence Journal extended the scope of the monument’s symbolism of patriotism by framing it on a more democratic level, depicting it as a statue for the masses. According to an article in the journal from July 3, 1887, the total cost of the statue, between $39,000 and $40,000, was funded significantly by private contributors, stressing the fact that the monument “represent[ed] the people of Rhode Island.”[16] Similarly, in their reports of the dedication-day parade, the newspaper described a patriotism enveloping the festivities that “had a peculiar local and State significance.”[17] In this way, the newspapers, politicians, and military leaders participating in the dedication of the monument elaborated on their definitions of patriotism by advocating for a sense of unity among Rhode Islanders.