My name is Rich Merrill. My wife and I retired here to Easton 15 years ago from the Western Shore. Born a New England Yankee, I’ve been a Marylander for about 45 years, working as an engineer. (A long way from being an artist, or social worker, or politician.) Although we are not natives, I can assure you we love it here. What a great place!
In 2017 it became apparent to me that the Talbot Boys issue was not going to go away. Although the citizens of Talbot County had been peaceful, at that time I saw a bright red line down the middle of the County with everyone clearly positioned on one side of the other. Nobody was willing to step into the middle ground.
Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
I began looking for a middle ground that both sides could support, I was inspired by a couple statues I have seen over the years. One is a peace statue in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Another is a Maryland statue on the Gettysburg battlefield. These statues don’t glorify war and they don’t even speak to the reasons for the war. They are statues of peace and reconciliation. That should be our goal in Talbot County.
Gettysburg
I had several ideas and I partnered with a sculptor that I happened to know. Our idea is a companion statue paired to stand with the original Boy on a common base. The two Boys have arrived back home after the war ready to continue their lives. The Union Boy has an American Flag flowing full-out in the wind, around behind both Boys and finally embracing both of them together.
I predict the Reconciliation Statue could quickly show up on Town, County and Chamber of Commerce websites and letterhead. It would convert a touchy subject into a asset we can all be proud of.
I did a lot of research on the history of the Boys. I reviewed the County Council files including emails and petitions submitted to the Council from 2015 forward. I even found a Council hearing video where Richard Potter, of the Talbot NAACP, asked the County to replace the Talbot Boys with a Civil War monument that would recognize both Union and Confederate veterans. Our design does exactly that.
All through 2018 and 2019 I campaigned my idea to all of the movers and shakers I could find. At least those who would talk to me. As I recall, about 40 different people were willing to talk to me, but a lot of people blew me off or stood me up when it came time to meet. It was a “third rail” subject that many people, including some Council Members, did not want to discuss.
Towards the end of 2019, I gave up the project. It was mostly my own fault. I didn’t have the horsepower to make things happen and the political atmosphere was getting more and more polarized. Little did I know what was about to happen in 2020!
In the late spring of 2020 the issue came up again. Councilman Pack came up with a statue removal resolution. For some reason it was an immediate need for him and he railroaded a vote at the next meeting, disallowing any attempts to amend or hold a public hearing. The end result of the political move was that the statue remained and the bright red line got even brighter. Unfortunately, it set an ugly framework for the next election. When so many other issues need our attention the next election cycle will be consumed by the Statue.
In January, 2020 Councilwoman Price offered up a proposal to encourage the construction of a Unity Statue based on my ideas. I salute her for her courage. She has rallied some people to the middle ground but the Potter lawsuit has dampened the discussion that should be taking place.
Today, each side seems to know with certitude why the statue was built. Each side seems to know why the Boys “crossed the river” and volunteered to fight for the South. The reasons expressed by each side are totally opposite AND totally exclude the logic of the other side. That, my friends, is mind reading that reaches back 100 years, and even 150 years. Can’t we just stipulate that all of these reasons probably existed in Talbot County back then? The beginning of the 21st Century is a complex time with complex issues, but so was the middle of the 19th Century.
I feel we are all spending too much time arguing why things happened. Things that we have no power to change. Better still, couldn’t we spend our energy on going forward? We are all living with the consequences of what others have done but let’s not attribute those things to one another.
We can keep this statue up or take it down based on what we THINK THE PEOPLE THOUGHT when they put it up. OR we can FIX the statue. IF we can reconcile our differences WE’LL GET TO DECIDE what the statue represents FOR ALL OF US going forward. This may be the last Confederate statue on public ground in Maryland, but it could be the FIRST statue that gets fixed. Who’s ready for a Reconciliation?
In memory of the Talbot Boys who fought on both sides of the Civil War.
Their fight is long finished.
May their work at Peace and Reconciliation continue for all Talbot Countians.
Rich Merrill
Easton
Easton
Carolyn Ewing says
Excellent
Rich says
Thanks Carolyn
Henry Gnox says
The Potter lawsuit? There are multiple parties listed on the lawsuit. The lawsuit in part was brough forth because there were no discussions. The council refused to meet religious leaders and county leaders. The lawsuit did not dampen any talks, no discussions were taking place.
This shows again, how people try to find solutions without talking to the other side. Did the NAACP or religious leaders agree that this “compromise” would be helpful? Were they even consulted?
Finally, I agree that the discussion needs to be on moving forward, not skewing history. I’m not sure how one can claim PTH is also fact, when they have no proof. Let’s not pretend historians agree with their assertions. How can you arrive at a compromise when one is dealing in fiction?
It is clear the council does not want to move forward. There have been no discussions. There has been no talk of compromise from the council in months. The move for dismissal on the county lawsuit is further proof of how this council refuses to listen to it’s constituents. Sadly, I think this will come down to the election. It’s worth noting the political atmosphere changing in Talbot. The statue will be moved soon.
Richard Merrill says
Thanks for your comments Henry. I also have had difficulty getting through to the Council and all sorts of other people around the County. The heightened political atmosphere created by all of us makes it difficult for any discussion to take place. Your response demonstrated that.
I answer to your question, yes I did talk to a number of Black leaders, at least I tried. I tried many times to connect with Harriette Lowrey. Never would respond and when I met her in person she would not talk. I did talk to Richard Potter on the phone and he was mildly receptive. I talked on the phone and met in person Tarence Bailey and he actually liked the idea.
Thanks again.
Henry Gnox says
Mr. Merrill, I read on a response that part of your plan would be to remove the bottom stone and allow these statues to be at eye level. Now we are talking about something I personally might agree with.
One of my largest issues is when talking others about their compromises is that they do not talk to the Black community. I’m very happy to hear you have consulted them and value their opinion.
Another one of my biggest complaints is that the council refuses to bring this issue up anymore. I see your plan of replacing the stone and adding the US soldier as a good idea. It sounds like something that the council could try to come to terms with. I don’t know why the council does not have workshop sessions to try to come up with a solution and hear from the public, including your idea, to find the best solution.
I’m sorry if I appeared abrasive before, too many times people (and other organizations) have not included those who the statue hurts in any discussions. I wish the council would at least consider this plan, along with others to find the best solution for the county.
Richard Merrill says
Thanks Henry, I appreciate your comments. From the beginning, I have said that this Reconciliation Statue idea would require input ($) from both sides and the black leaders were the first people that I attempted to reach out to. If we don’t get support from BOTH sides the Talbot Boy statue would never be physically or politically safe. In conversations with people from both sides I have a script. First if you want it gone l… “It may never come down, at least peacefully… how long are you willing to wait?” Second, if you want it to stay, be aware that a one vote flip on the Council could have it removed completely. Or it could come down less than peacefully. Then what have you got?.. nothing. Compromise is never easy but now is the time to consider a compromise that could save the statue and the reputation of Talbot County. Finally, not to denigrate the Build the Union Boy group, I think that a second statue in opposition to the Talbot Boy would just give people a place to stand on the courthouse lawn where they can yell at the other guys. Don’t need that. I’ll stop rambling here.
John Evan’s says
I believe many would agree, Mr. Gnox. This proposal, like the similar one from Councilman Divilio, is a ludicrous attempt to create a “compromise” that is neither unifying nor addresses the underlying issue.
Paul Callahan says
Mr. Merrell,
Agree 100%. We have vetted, researched and discussed everything about this monument in incredible detail. We now know more about the events surrounding why these men rose and the circumstances surrounding why this monument was erected than any past generation since it was constructed.
The accusations that these men fought, and that this monument was commissioned for an immoral purpose has no merit and all research reveals completely the opposite. The accusations made by the NAACP and the Move the Monument Coalition are based upon “guilt by association” in that some monuments throughout the South were built for a non-honorable purpose therefor this one must also be guilty of the same.
Just as an individual of any race, gender, orientation, religion, or poverty level should not be negatively judged based upon the group which others associate them with, so to must our ancestors be given equal respect of their human dignity. Our memorial to Talbot’s Confederate ancestors and the circumstances surrounding the memorial’s constructions has been fully evaluated and there is nothing that we as Americans should be ashamed of.
Though the accusation against our ancestors has no merit, the inappropriateness of displaying the Confederate flag at our courthouse does. Regardless of the history, the Confederate flag has become an offensive symbol in today’s society.
Your proposal removes the Confederate flag from public viewing and addresses that issue.
My personal discussion with a monument company reveals that our statue can be modified to change the flag to something more appropriate or the statue can be used as a caste to create an entirely identical statue without that flag. The cost of modification or re-casting would be a fraction of an entirely new statue.
Once the Confederate flag is removed the new memorial should include informative plaques to talk of Maryland and Talbot County history during the US Civil War and that over half of our Confederate veterans enlisted in just a few months’ time after Federal troops beat and imprisoned Talbot’s Judge.
The new memorial should honor all Talbot Countians who fought in the Civil War to include the nearly 700 Talbot Countians of African descent. The new memorial should be re-dedicated to these men and should be a reminder for future generations that ultimately the responsibility to obtain and to protect our liberties rests upon the shoulders of our citizens.
Richard Merrill says
Paul,
We don’t intend to remove the confederate flag, but you are correct it will be upstaged by the flying US flag. Our process would entail removing the Boy for 6 months or so while the Union Boy is being cast and final adjustments are made to keep them in scale with each other and mount them on a common bronze base. The Talbot Boy is actually copper and the joints are very neatly hammered. They appear to be in good shape but there may be some repairs in order. They will be stripped and cleaned then a new patina installed so they would like like they have been there together forever. My sculptor has a lot of experience doing full scale and heroic scale statues and working with foundries. Not everyone agrees with me, but I would remove the base stone with the names (I have some possible ideas for a relocation site) and I would replace it with a lower stone to bring the Reconciliation Boys down facing north and to eye level with Frederick Douglass and the new stone would only have the simple inscription from my letter. “In memory of…”
Thanks for your support and input.
Paul Callahan says
Personally I prefer to list the names of all Talbot countians that fought. Research has revealed that the predominant group that fought for the Union was Talbot’s blacks. Approximately twice as many black countians fought as whites – nearly 700. In my research into Talbot’s colored troops I recognized many family names of friends I grew up with. I doubt many even knew about their ancestors. List all of their names and annotate who were freemen and who earned freedom by their service to their country. That alone would be a powerful message about our history.
Lois P. Harrison says
Bravo to Rich Merrill. We are proud to know him and support the unity that he proposes. He is a true Patriot who loves our county and our country as do we.
Richard Merrill says
Always proud of my Eastern Shore friends.
Thanks
David Tull says
Interesting article, thanks
Charles Zvirman says
I believe the grander point here is the location of the CSA statue. You reference Gettysburg but that statue is on the battlefield giving it context. It’s not on the lawn of the state capital in Harrisburg nor the county seat. There is a clear distinction between a battlefield and the placement of such a statue on the courthouse lawn, the very courthouse that is intended to be a place for justice and to all. The statue most certainly has no place on the very lawn where human beings were auctioned off like chattel.
The sign that proudly marks my Easton home does not say ‘destroy the statue’, rather it states ‘Move the Confederate Statue’. A unity statue? Wonderful, where should I send the check? But as long as the CSA statue remains on the courthouse lawn, there can be no unity.
Michael Davis says
I could not disagree more. The fight is not over nor should it be.
It is not a waste of time fighting against racist symbols. Ask the people of Richmond. It has taken a hundred years and they are still fighting. Putting up a statue to Arthur Ashe on the same street as the statues to Confederate traitors did create peace or reconciliation for the descendants of enslaved people. Even the statue of Robert E. Lee is coming down.
Also, racism has not gone away. On the national stage, a Republican congressman recently held rallies with outspoke believers in White Supremacy. In every single statistic about life in America from birth to death, Blacks are at a significant disadvantage compared to White people. Actually, it starts before birth as Black women in the South do not get equal prenatal health care.
Why the monument was put up is pretty much irrelevant. I think it was set up to support Jim Crow laws. But even if were put up to honor the constitutional scholars who only joined the South because of unconstitutional barbaric treatment against White people, that does not change the fact the monument is racist. The Confederate flag is a symbol is racism (duh) “C.S.A”, also on the monument, was an organization trying to destroy the United States. Interested people should Google C.S.A. to see what they were all about.
Putting a statue of a generic Union soldier next to a generic statue of a Confederate soldier makes about as sense as the people who thought putting a statue of Arthur Ashe on Confederate Monument row in Richmond would instantly bring racial peace and harmony. Post-war Germany did not try to make peace with Nazis or reconcile with them in a Kumbaya mmoment. They banished them legally and morally.
Good people in Talbot County are working to get rid of that monument honoring people who fought to enslave people. I hope the fight will continue until that monstrosity is gone.
Anne C Stalfort says
No. The Confederate flag,nor a likeness of anyone who fought for the Confederacy, does not deserve a place of honor on the Courthouse lawn. These soldiers fought against their country. There is a right and a wrong here. Please stop trying to give both sides equal weight. Get any mention, any representation of the Confederacy, off the place where all of us deserve to be treated equally. This is getting exhausting. Why are so many of you fighting so hard to keep a monument to white supremacy? Once The Talbot Boys statue is gone, we don’t need any “ let’s be pals “ statue. The Civil War was fought over a hundred years ago. Our history books, countless scholarly works all cover the subject. Plant grass. A peaceful place that all can enjoy.
Eva M. Smorzaniuk, MD says
I appreciate Mr. Merrill’s desire for reconciliation. However, reconciliation can only take place after recognition of the harsh reality of our history. I would argue that we really don’t have to guess or “mind read” the attitudes and thoughts of the Jim Crow era. The widespread societal attitudes resulted in laws and policies that restricted, disenfranchised, and demeaned people of color in every aspect of their lives the USA. These laws applied to indigenous as well as black people were not only ubiquitous in our country, but gained enough international attention to become the model for Nazi Gerany’s Nuremberg Laws. To ignore this fact, and the plethora of similar statues and monuments erected during that time in this country, is to turn a blind eye to the ugly truth. Reconciliation is the ultimate goal of all the people involved in this discussion, but recognition and repair must come first.
Anne Stalfort says
Well said, Eva. Thank you.
James Russell says
As a descendant of great great uncles- brothers who fought on opposing sides I think that this idea is well worth considering.
Linda Baker says
Mr. Russell, you do have the history with family fighting on both sides. What a remarkable story to pass down thru the generations.
Cathie Liebl says
Your examples do not include flags people fought for and with the confederate flag, what continue to be offensive because they are still used to emphasize a superiority over others. There is no place for a confederate flag in unity or reconciliation in 2021.
Linda Baker says
Where do you get the confederate flag represents superiority over someone? The confederate had their flag and the union had a different flag to represent them. Actually, the confederate had made the design of flag that the union had, but when the union came out with it first, the confederate army had to make a change and came up with the stars and bars design. When you make comments like this, that you evidently no nothing about, it gets others stirred up. Kind of reminds me of the biggest fear mongerers out there, the main stream media. This flag represents the confederate states, and even though we are now a union, many think of this as their heritage. Not superiority, not hate, just good ole southerner. Would you call the LGBTQ flag a flag of superiority? No, it just represents who they are.
MaryLou Armstrong-Peters says
Congratulations, Mr.Merrill.This is the best letter on the resolution of the Talbot Boys’ statue that I have read. It speaks to the heart of the issue – the past is past; the future is ahead for all of us. Let us have the courage and the humility to put aside our grievances, recognized or not, according to our personal experiences. We are now a unique and caring community with full acceptance for all of us. We could be an example to all the other places of grievance, on both sides of the divide, real or perceived, in our country. We can prove that the divide can be crossed by showing our countrymen – white, brown, black, Asian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, every national and sexual orientation that, even when there are grounds to disagree, we choose to work together to preserve the unity of our county and to give us a new point of pride – we, here in Talbot County, in 2021, COMPROMISED FOR THE GOOD OF US ALL, we would certainly be a sterling example to the members sitting now in governance, all over America but particularly in Washington, that compromise can and MUST happen. The current statue should go but all of those who fought and died in our divided country during the horrible years of our Civil War should be allowed to rest in peace. Their descendants should see the names of their dead recorded on a monument which shows we CAN love one another.
Stronger together! MaryLou Armstrong-Peters
Katherine Herbert says
I give this solution a big 👍’s up. Beautiful statue.
Thomas Malone says
Put the damn statue in a museum to preserve Talbot’s history. Think about all the black folks who have to walk by the statue every day.
Anne Stalfort says
👏👏👏
DANNA MURPHY MURDEN says
I think this is a wonderful idea with an extreme amount of thought put into it. A native of the county going back 9 generations and family members having fought in every war except for the last two with members fighting on both sides of the civil war and one from WWI who did not die God love him but spent the next forty years of his life in a hospital for what was done to him. I just want to bring a little fact to everyone’s attention. If you live in Talbot County today you most likely live on land that was lived on, worked and cleared with slave labor. It was a fact of life then. Thank God that is no longer and now we need to some how get rid of the race card that everyone keeps using and learn to love and work in harmony. Compromise is the word of the day, no you or me but US. Mr.Merrill has made a wonderful US and it is something that I think we should stop the demanding I want and think strongly about.
Anne Stalfort says
Is there another county or city in the country that took down a confederate monument and replaced it with a unity statue? I doubt it. Other communities decided to remove their statue because of what the statue represented. Ours is no different. The fact remains that said statue was erected in The Jim Crow Era along with many others across the country. It represents white supremacy just like the others. It’s embarrassing for it to still be in a place of honor. Move the Confederate Monument and move forward.
Linda Baker says
Mr. Merrill, I have seen so many people come here recently or from other areas and want to change us when they move here. When you began your letter that you moved here 15 years ago, I’m thinking here we go again! But as I read your letter, the thought and work that you put into trying to come up with a solution that would appease most, I have to say you did an excellent job! This statue has been here for over a hundred years and Frederick Douglass was built and placed directly across from it. They both tell history of lives many years ago. I believe adding the union soldier is a wonderful idea and a great compromise to this ongoing debate. Let’s not continue to hate! Let’s join together.