The discussion regarding the Talbot Boys Monument brings to mind the Martin Luther quote, “Unity if possible, truth at all costs”. I applaud Councilmember Price’s proposal for a monument representing Talbot’s Confederate and Union soldiers at the courthouse, for men on both sides had good reason to take up arms. So, let there be unity with clear statements of truth.
Maryland, divided in sentiment at the onset of the Civil War, did not secede from the Union. Nonetheless, Lincoln took unprecedented executive actions which infringed upon the natural rights of Maryland’s citizens, including but not limited to: imprisonment of citizens without due process, search of homes without warrants, shutdown of the press and the assault of our Judge Carmichael. Are we surprised the Talbot Boys resisted? Some detractors want us to believe that these brave Talbot Countians fought for slavery, but it is clear the Talbot Boys were fighting against federal tyranny. The question of slavery was not even ‘on the table’ in Maryland; Lincoln made clear his only intent was to reunite the nation regardless of the issue of slavery, Lincoln actually promoted a constitutional amendment to forever protect slavery, and the Emancipation Proclamation exempted Maryland and other territories. So no, the Talbot Boys did not fight for slavery.
The taking of personal liberties and violation of laws during times of war and crisis is captured in the ancient legal maxim, “inter arma silent leges” (in times of war, the laws are silent). Illegal federal actions did not stop at the end of the Civil War, but were repeated during other times, including WWII (e.g., internment camps for American citizens of Japanese ancestry). Some may argue the Government’s actions were justified, but I think it is a fair question to ask how much of our liberty are we, as a people, willing to give-up to the Government in times of alleged crisis? Aren’t we currently experiencing the Covid-19 virus ‘crisis’ where we face more governmental edicts that in ‘normal’ times would be dismissed as blatantly illegal? Where do we draw the line?
For the Talbot Boys, the Federal Government had crossed the line. I am proud the monument stands at the courthouse as a potent reminder to our elected officials and bureaucrats that the power belongs to the People and Our rights shall not be infringed.
And yes, let’s add the Boys in Blue to hear their voices. Build-up, not tear-down, our monument.
Clive R. Ewing, P.E.
Easton
Carolyn Ewing says
Thank you for your excellent letter. We need reminders of what happens when government oversteps its Constitutional bounds. There could not be a more poignant reminder than a monument that embodies the strength and perseverance of a public that agred that their real strength was in unity, not division.
Paul Callahan says
Thank you Mr. Ewing for your well thought out letter based upon historical truth. If I may, I would like to add to the articulate words you have provided.
Shortly before the Maryland Legislature was arrested by Federal government troops, they published a Proclamation asking for peace. They believed letting the seven states leave peacefully would avoid a great and bloody war and would be the best course for future reconciliation. They quoted the Declaration of Independence:
“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.”
Not only did our citizens read these Petitions and Proclamations, but they also were living under the Federal government’s crushing of their civil rights as you stated.
The Federal government’s acts against free Maryland citizens included: unlawful arrest and imprisonment, unlawful search and seizure, executions without civil process, imprisonment of Baltimore’s government, the occupation of our State against her will, unlawful suspension of Habeas Corpus, the arrest of Maryland’s Congressman, cannons placed to threaten the citizens of Baltimore, the arrest of Francis Scott Key’s grandson, the suspension of the 1st and 2nd amendments, the arrest of the grandson of LtCol Tench Tilghman – Talbot’s revolutionary war hero, and last by not least – Federal troops surrounding Talbot’s courthouse, beating and dragging our judge from the same and imprisoning him because of his attempts to provide our citizens their Constitutional protections.
Our citizens at that time had an example to give them guidance – the Declaration of Independence. This document lists the grievances our Founding Fathers had against the crown. In comparison, the Federal government’s abuses against the free citizens of Maryland were exponentially worse than those listed as the reasons our Founding Fathers rose against the English crown.
It is time for the monument movers to face historical truth – and move on.
James Wilson says
I must truly be going stark raving mad. Is it true that with a movement to take down a statue honoring Confederate dead soldiers that someone is in favor of putting up a statue that honors … now this is incredible … a statue honoring Confederate dead soldiers. Someone please tell me this cannot be true! But if it is, I know how to fix it. Throw a black slave in cowering behind the Confederate soldier, or maybe have him being held down with the soldier resting his knee on his neck, and have another black ex-slave one standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Union soldier. There, that would be better, wouldn’t it? That would include a bit of modern history into it and work in what some people still believe today. Maybe we could vote on???
Anne Stalfort says
Yes!!!
Margot McConnel says
Well said!
Warren Davis says
We are approaching 500,000 deaths in this pandemic. Should we expect a new monument to those among us who refuse to wear a mask because it infringes on personal liberties? I think not. Move the monument!
Pattie Slagle says
Thank you Mr. Ewing for being a voice of reason! Your argument shows compassionate intelligent understanding of humanity going through horrible times. Nothing in our lives is ever black or white.
I obviously do not condone some of our neighbors who insist on re-fighting the Civil War with a tug-of-war on a statue; I absolutely believe it causes divisiveness and troublemaking within our community at best.
At worst they call it racism. This isn’t about racism or discrimination, it’s about the moral high ground and superiority that some people, in this time, decide to embrace to cause civil unrest.
Hopefully they can put their energy and focus on a project that embraces and enhances this amazing part of the world: our Easton and our Chesapeake Bay. There are no lack of causes to give your time and energy to that will make the entire community smile.
Warmest Regards.
Jim Richardson says
The injustice poor Maryland had to endure! It should be mentioned, although neither Mr. Ewing or Mr. Callahan (leaders of the Preserve Talbot’s History) conveniently leave out, that much of the Western Shore of Maryland remained loyal to the Union. It was only the Eastern Shore, where sympathies sided more with the Southern states, that the government found it necessary to take real actions. Even so, three years of “tyranny” suffered under President Lincoln hardly compares to three-hundred years of misery and death under the system of slavery. In fact, I would submit the Eastern Shore natives got off relatively easy. At least they weren’t carted off to internment camps for the duration of the war as we did with the Japanese Americans during WWII.
History aside, the real subject at hand is what the monument symbolizes now, not then. With recent events that included the murder of George Floyd and the awakening of our souls through Black Lives Matter, the symbolism of the Confederate battle flag also changed to now represent injustice, white supremacy, hate, and division. For that reason alone, the monument that displays the Confederate flag needs to be removed from the courthouse grounds.
Eva M. Smorzaniuk, M.D. says
Thank you Mr. Richardson for your rational and fact-based response. Yes, the truth is that the Eastern Shore was under martial law during the Civil War because they were not willing to be unquestionably on the side of the Union. And that fact has little to do with the Jim Crow culture that conceived the monument in 1914. I agree with Mr. Richardson that the Confederate flag has no place on courthouse grounds.
Paul Callahan says
Jim, As an outspoken member of the “Move the Monument” coalition you have been espousing a false narrative to the kind-hearted people of Talbot for a long time. The accusations have been proven false, yet you continue a false narrative which only reveals the extremists motivations underlying your words.
The remarks you made above show your total lack of understanding of Maryland and Talbot County history. In fact you espouse your approval of removing Constitutional rights of free citizens which further portrays your motivations.
Let me further reveal your “false narrative” that the violations of Constitutional rights was “only” an Eastern Shore experience which you espoused above.
In Frederick Maryland the citizens were shocked over the execution by Federal troops of Mr. William Richardson a local paper and map peddler. William was hung naked from a locust tree along the roadside about one mile outside of the town of Fredrick and his corpse was left to rot for nearly a week in the hot summer sun. The Union Commander had a note pined to William’s chest that stated “Anybody cutting down the body without orders will take his place”
It is time to stop the grossly negligent false narratives that have been publicly put forth to manipulate the citizens of Talbot to support your cause. The continuation of such, only causes a further loss of credibility of yourself, your coalition and the social justice movement.
Myself and the Spy readers would also like to know where your are from and when did you move to Talbot – assuming you actually live in Talbot. Please inform.
Michael Davis says
ARGG! Phil, you continue to diss peoples’ opinions who are not from here. Were you here in 1492? If not. you are a recent immigrant who should be quiet. The only people whose opinions should count are the indigenous people. Let’s ask them what they think of the statue.
And Phil, I don’t mean to single you out. I’m you are just one of many recent move-heres who think your time here gives you superior ethical judgment. I’m sure you are a nice fellow who is very well-read in history. You just write more about it so I use your name as an example of ad homenum reasoning. . Nothing personal. We should go somewhere for a beer.
Anne Stalfort says
This is getting absurd. The Civil War was fought to keep slavery. The president of the Confederacy said as much. The Talbot Boys statue was erected in 1916 at the time of rampant Jim Crow laws. Laws that were enacted to keep Black people in their place. Those of you who support the Unity Statue please explain to a fictional 3rd grade class who, on a field trip, explore the Courthouse and its grounds. First they learn about Frederick Douglass and his place in our history. Then little Suzie asks about The Talbot Boys. They are told its history and the plan for a Unity statue. Suzy asks: why is there a statue honoring people who wanted Billy’s ancestors as slaves. That’s mean and wrong. Billy says it hurts his heart to see that statue and the Confederate flag. Teacher says she can’t explain why the county won’t remove the statue. But there are people in the county that think it’s ok.Mary asks: don’t they care that this flag makes some of the people in our county feel sad and hurt that others don’t care about their feelings. Suzy and Billy say the class should write to the County Council. County Council: can you explain why you are so proud of what the Confederacy fought for and what that flag represents today, that you are fighting to keep that disgraced flag in front of the county courthouse? On 1/6/21 that flag was on full display as insurrectionists stormed the Capitol; injured police officers(including my friends son who had a heart attack after he was beaten), rifled through desks and destroyed property. So explain to me again why the Confederate flag deserves a place of honor in our county.
Paul Callahan says
Anne, You must have missed the Star Democrat article this Saturday concerning the motivation and theme of the Talbot Boys Statue. The accusation that “The statue was placed at the height of Jim Crow “only” to oppress people of color” has been proven false by the Preserve Talbot History coalition.
I believe school children visiting our courthouse should learn of its history, particularly about the 125 Federal troops surrounding it, beating our judge and dragging him off to prison. Then go to the Frederick Douglass statue and learn about this National hero along with how he stated that Mr. Lincoln would have gladly kept people of color enslaved to preserve the Union. Then after learning that they should go to the new Unity monument and learn that if not for the citizens of our nation willing to sacrifice their lives to stand against tyranny, the world would be a very evil place today.
Please set aside some time to review the documents at http://www.preservetalbothistory.org (downloaded from the State archives and other original sources) so you can be fully informed on the actual history of Maryland and Talbot county.
Thank you
Kara Miller says
While he did later sign the Emancipation Proclamation, President Lincoln’s main goal was to keep the union together.1862 President Lincoln stated, in a response to abolitionist Horace Greeley,
“If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” Although this sounded noncommittal, Lincoln closed by stating, “I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men everywhere could be free.”
While Lincoln does deserve credit for signing the Emancipation Proclamation, he was persuaded in part to do so when brave black men offered to fight with the Union and Lincoln saw the need for their help in winning the war.
The issue with the Talbot Boys statue is not it’s failure to honor the Union soldiers who fought, it is the presence of a Confederate monument to slavery on the steps of our courthouse in the year 2021. This is indefensible, and is bringing national disgrace upon our county. No unity statue can heal this grievous wrong. Move the statue now!
Kara M. Miller, Esq.
Easton, Md
Carl Tankersly says
Lincoln said he’d free the slaves or set them free to save the Union. I, personally don’t have a problem with jailing 15 or 20 seditious rebels to save the Union. I hope more than that many are jailed who tried to overturn a fair election on the 6th of January.
Henry Herr says
It is fascinating that people who want to keep the monument claim history is on their side and we need to move on. But historians, the NAACP, Historical Peservation societies, minorities, politicians, relatives of people on the monument, teachers, faith leaders, veterans, Talbot County citizens, and Maryland citizens all want the monument removed. Why are we to trust the interpretation of a small minority? The last vote for the monument, public comments and calls vastly weighed in favor of removal. Furthermore, it is plainly evident that those who call for the monument to stay include blatant racists. The remarks written during public comment that state: “the blacks have their monument and we have ours. Leave it alone or pay the price.” That’s the people the PTH group wants to associate with? We are to trust their opinions are for the good of the community?
Richard Marks says
Mr. Ewing,
I was pleased to read your demand that “Our rights shall not be infringed”. It tells me you are sensitive to the freedoms we enjoy that are protected by our Constitution. Sadly, however, the rights of all our people required bloodletting to insure and regardless of your assertion that the Talbot Boys did not fight to defend slavery, the flag being held on the monument speaks otherwise. For that reason alone, it’s placement is ill conceived and only reinforces the defiance of too many people unwilling to embrace a true democracy.
Beverly Harvey Booth says
Thank God, someone has finally said this out loud! Unity, and Truth at all costs!
Clive R. Ewing says
It is always a welcome sight to see the voluminous responses from the detractors on this matter, as the beast cries the loudest when it is struck at its heart! Sadly, with all the volume, these responses come up lacking in so many ways.
For months we have challenged the ‘move the monument’ coalition to offer a cogent argument and provide evidence to their position. In return, like we see above, is parroting of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s talking points, fables of imaginary 3rd graders, and the whining of the bleeding hearts! Indeed, the ‘move the monument’ coalition has been exposed for what they are, total frauds. They are mini emperors, pounding their drums down the street, while the rest of us giggle at their naked arguments.
Oh, Saul Alinsky must be rolling over in his grave, to see his disciples implement his ‘Rules for Radicals’ so poorly.
Clive R. Ewing, P.E.
Easton, Maryland
http://www.PreserveTalbotHistory.org
Howard Parks says
People of color do not see themselves in this vision of “unity” that you espouse. And to invoke Martin Luther King by quoting him? Pandering. In 2021 we should be talking about an inclusive vision of history, one that considers the experience of those who were actively being oppressed when the Talbot “boys” statue was erected, rather than patching over differences with some sort of whitewashed version.
Stephen Schaare says
Mr. Parks, Do you speak for all “people of color”? Is it necessary to see the racist term “whitewashed” once again in “The Spy”?
Richard Marks says
The French have a wonderful saying: “L’esprit d’escalier”, translated as “the spirit of the escalator”. Please , if you will, picture in your mind’s eye, two people, each on opposite sides of an escalator attempting to hold a conversation. If you have envisioned correctly, you will get the picture clearly; we are moving further apart, not closer together. Unity on this issue is not within reach. C’est la vie! I encourage my compatriots who favor moving the monument to another location to continue spending their time and energy building a stronger community with determination and eyes to the future. As the recent elections demonstrated, change CAN be achieved by exercising our rights at the ballot box.