Why is it that an extended olive branch often turns to a clinched fist of hatred?

Why is it that an extended olive branch often turns to a clinched fist of hatred?

Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.

Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.

Nothing unites the English like war. Nothing divides them like Picasso.

Nothing unites the English like war. Nothing divides them like Picasso.

I never use the word "nation" in speaking of the United States.
I always use the word "Union" or read more

I never use the word "nation" in speaking of the United States.
I always use the word "Union" or "Confederacy." We are not a
nation but a union, a confederacy of equal and sovereign States.

United we stand, divided we fall.

United we stand, divided we fall.

Our Union is river, lake, ocean, and sky:
Man breaks not the medal, when God cuts the die!
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Our Union is river, lake, ocean, and sky:
Man breaks not the medal, when God cuts the die!
Though darkened with sulphur, though cloven with steel,
The blue arch will brighten, the waters will heal!

Their meetings made December June.
Their every parting was to die.

Their meetings made December June.
Their every parting was to die.

Then join in hand, brave Americans all!
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.

Then join in hand, brave Americans all!
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.

The plastic virtues: purity, unity, and truth, keep nature in subjection.

The plastic virtues: purity, unity, and truth, keep nature in subjection.