It can, because some people are ignorant and can’t take some opinions so they fight that its wrong.
With context: "Years ago I was in a small town and went into a cafe and ordered cake: that was the best cake I ever tasted." ->you have not tasted any cake better than that up to and including the time you spoke - it is still the best cake.
If he had not held a military or civil office in the confederacy
If he could prove that he had not voluntarily borne arms against the US
If he swore an oath of allegiance to the United States
A : the supernatural “they averred that the symbol was not mere Scarlet cloth tinged in an earthly dye pot, <u>but was red hot with infernal fire”.</u>
