There can be no reconciliation where there is no open warfare. There must be a battle, a brave boisterous battle, with pennants waving and cannon roaring, before there can be peaceful treaties and enthusiastic shaking of hands.

Summary

This quote suggests that true reconciliation and peace can only be achieved after a fierce and tumultuous conflict. It implies that before achieving harmony, there must be a definitive confrontation, symbolized by the imagery of warfare, where both sides fight with determination and vigor. Only after this battle occurs, with its intensity symbolized by the waving of pennants and the roaring of cannons, can peaceful agreements and sincere reconciliation take place, leading to the symbolically enthusiastic shaking of hands.

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