On reading a letter to the Albany, New York newspaper, I grew incensed at a letter to the editor that raised concerns about the Confederate flag. The writer made some outlandish comments that needed a response. (PS- I received a call today 30 January from the Albany Times Union. They will be printing my response in an upcoming issue-JM).

I have enclosed my letter to the editor that I responded with:

It grieves me that he sees the Confederate flag in such a negative light. Just last year, in Austin, Texas at the 100th Anniversary of the Terry’s Texas Ranger Monument, homage was paid to those northerners and Southerners, blacks,whites and Hispanics who fought together in that cavalry regiment. New York, Ohio, Vermont and Illinois were honored as having sent representatives serving with the Rangers. It may surprise Mr. McCarthy to learn that many Northerners saw the issues at stake regarding taxes, Constitutional law and limits on Presidential freedoms that were part of the conflict. Those issues were never resolved, although men were willing to take a stand for them under the Confederate flag. Historic revisionism has used the war to alienate groups of people, when the reality of the 1860’s was that those who served were often driven by principles that were important to them.

There was no treason involved. The Confederacy wanted the government to abide by the rules laid out by the Constitution. When the government refused to abide by Supreme Court rulings, the Constitution and Legislation passed by Congress, there were few options left. The South, because they believed in the rule of law, rather than the rule of a ‘higher law’ were pushed into leaving the Union. Historically, Massachusetts took steps of secession several times before the war occurred, so to call the South treasonous because they took action rather than just talk and threats is being ill-informed.

Sadly, politicians and rabble rouser’s have muddled the issues of the 1860’s to the point that the meaning of the flag has been spun into something totally different that the historic reality.

I guess the reality that many New Yorkers served in the Confederacy is too much for Mr. McCarthy to accept. Recall that the largest riot ever to occur in New York City took place in reaction to the war and the policies of the Lincoln regime. In time, it is my hope that people will be able to openly discuss the issues and facts surrounding what happened.

Albany, Austin, Confederate flag, Congress, Culture, Current Affairs, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, New York City, Political Well Being, Terrys Texas Rangers, Texas, Times Union

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