"Then as now, whatever disagreements over policies existed among Americans - and there were many such bitter policy disputes - the purposes and goals for which Americans fought were clearly understood"

This quote by Allen Weinstein talks to the concept that, even in times of difference, Americans have actually constantly been unified in their shared goals and purposes. In spite of the reality that there have been many bitter policy disagreements throughout American history, the underlying factors for why Americans battle have actually remained the exact same. This quote acts as a reminder that, even when we disagree, we can still come together to combat for the very same causes. It is a pointer that, even in times of argument, we can still discover common ground and interact to attain our shared objectives.