To my good neighbors and community open to civil discourse and intelligent conversation, I would like to respond to the Letter to Editor: Talbot’s Citizens Organize to Preserve Talbot History in the Spy on February 5, 2021
I start with the motto: “Truth Shall be the Beacon to which We All are Drawn.” It is a motto that I believe all good people in our community uphold. It is not a line of political, religious, economic, or racial divide. Yet the truth is indeed subjective.
If we look at the Cornerstone Address by Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens, he presents what he believes are the (truthful) reasons for what he termed was a “revolution.” This revolution resulted in the American Civil War. Stephens’s speech is remembered by many for its defense of slavery, its outlining of the perceived differences between the North and the South, and the racial rhetoric used to show the inferiority of African Americans. A few weeks after the speech, on April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, initiating the American Civil War.
Savannah, Georgia, March 21, 1861
By Alexander H. Stephens“…Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. This truth has been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in the various departments of science. It has been so even amongst us. Many who hear me, perhaps, can recollect well, that this truth was not generally admitted, even within their day. The errors of the past generation still clung to many as late as twenty years ago. Those at the North, who still cling to these errors, with a zeal above knowledge, we justly denominate fanatics. All fanaticism springs from an aberration of the mind from a defect in reasoning. It is a species of insanity. One of the most striking characteristics of insanity, in many instances, is forming correct conclusions from fancied or erroneous premises; so with the anti-slavery fanatics. Their conclusions are right if their premises were. They assume that the negro is equal, and hence conclude that he is entitled to equal privileges and rights with the white man. If their premises were correct, their conclusions would be logical and just but their premise being wrong, their whole argument fails. I recollect once of having heard a gentleman from one of the northern States, of great power and ability, announce in the House of Representatives, with imposing effect, that we of the South would be compelled, ultimately, to yield upon this subject of slavery, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics, as it was in physics or mechanics. That the principle would ultimately prevail. That we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with us, were warring against a principle, a principle founded in nature, the principle of the equality of men. The reply I made to him was, that upon his own grounds, we should, ultimately, succeed, and that he and his associates, in this crusade against our institutions, would ultimately fail. The truth announced, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics as it was in physics and mechanics, I admitted; but told him that it was he, and those acting with him, who were warring against a principle. They were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal…”
Another series of debunked “Truths” were laid out in the Lost Cause Campaign, which is “a campaign of misinformation and propaganda led by ex-Confederates that framed the South’s reasons for fighting in the Civil War as heroic and just while denying that slavery was central to the conflict. Changing the country’s memory of the Civil War allowed the South to maintain and reinforce a racial caste system that denied Black citizens equal liberties.”
The main points behind the revitalization of confederate statues were based on non-supported propaganda (non-Truths) as noted by David Graham, Professor of U.S. History at Snow University in his recent book, Loyalty on the Line: Civil War Maryland in American Memory:
- Slavery was not a cause of the war
- Secession was constitutional
- The North had overwhelming advantages
- Southern chivalry
- Slavery was a benign institution
Clearly “Truth” is best met with facts and data of which we have documents or supporting evidence.
Data we do have: There have been huge spikes in confederate statue construction twice during the 20th century: in the early 1900s, such as ours in Talbot County, and then again in the 1950s and 60s. Both were times of extreme civil rights tension.
The Talbot Boys was not erected shortly after the Civil War, to give honor to those fallen by their bereaved loved ones and immediate community. It was built during the early 1900’s when states were enacting Jim Crow laws to disenfranchise black Americans. It was built during a very dark time in American and Talbot County history when many blacks had been moving north to escape the boll weevil attack that had a far greater impact on black tenant farmers than whites. Such diaspora created a rise black urban communities, of expanded black education, a rise of black intelligentsia, and a building of middle class black communities (think Harlem Renaissance), which the white communities found threatening.
Regardless one could argue that the main push for the statues was directed from those supporting the symbol of a Confederate statue. The Union statue was far less of an issue or it too would have been pursued.
I end with a conclusion of William and Mary Law Review’s research and a more current analysis: “…Regarding black people and Native Americans, leads to this conclusion: equality is a function of attitude formed by popular opinion, not the nation’s laws. Neither the laws nor the founding precepts of the Constitution or the Bill of Rights determines the level of equality that black people, women, members of religious minorities, or any other discreet group experience day to day in America. Equality is a byproduct of the popular opinion of the day; the way that the white majority-and even other blacks and minorities-treats a black person or any other minority is a consequence of stereotypes. The stereotypes produce attitudes that lead to human actions and laws that, history tells us, can justify the most horrendous oppression…”
I am old enough to remember the segregated schools and abuse I withstood by being the only white child on the black school bus. I remember the horrors withstood by the brave and studious only black child to attend my school before Talbot County was officially desegregated. I remember the segregated Avalon and a dark past with great sadness. I wish now not to remember that sadness but of the great kindness of many people and extraordinary and uniquely talented fellow Eastern Shore folk. I know a great many whose family names are on that statue who would agree.
Let us live in a community where the values of equal justice and equal opportunity are shared and have a county courthouse representing all that we promise our citizens. Let us find a solution in which the monument is moved safely elsewhere and we erect a statue befitting for our building representing “equality and justice for all.”
Penelope Cripps Dwyer
Easton
Jim Richardson says
Thank you Ms. Dwyer for such a thoughtful and well written letter.
All of us have a responsibility to educate ourselves on the matters of inequality and racism in our communities. Most of us learned about the Civil War and the years of Reconstruction from school text books that were in part influenced by the Lost Cause myth. Slavery, although mentioned, was treated as only one of the reasons for the war, certainly not the main reason. But even today I can read letters from Talbot County residents who still want to paint a picture of Maryland being unjustly punished by President Lincoln, the so-called “damsel in distress” theory. No wonder we have such divisions in our country today!
Paul says
Very well written but you are arguing why the South seceded and why some or many monuments were constructed throughout the Nation. The issue at hand is why Maryland men fought and this one individual monument.
The name of the Preserve Talbot History speaks for itself. That coalition does not represent anything other then Maryland history, nor do they speak of any other monument than the one which we have. This is about Talbot county and Maryland. Mr. Stephen’s, of which you quote, was from South Carolina, a totally different State with its own reasons for what they did.
It is totally impossible to resolve the entire civil war conflict and equally impossible to resolve the entire National debate over all the monuments, at our community level – it would be fruitless.
To assign blame to Talbot’s ancestors for what someone else said from another far away State is unjust to both our ancestors and the experience of Marylanders of that time.
It would be equally unjust to blame Talbot county citizens or our ancestors for the abhorrent policies and laws generated at the Federal level. As Ibram X Kendi states – don’t blame the people for bad government policies.
So to move forward, and per the advice of The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the recommendations of many, to include Dr. Graham in his recent presentation for the CBMM, we first must realize that all monuments are not the same or intended for the same purpose. The monuments must be evaluated individually and with the inclusion of ALL groups within the community.
Penelope Dwyer says
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your reply to my post. I welcome the feedback and opportunity to further the conversation. Please allow me to clarify my examples, if you will.
Using both Stevens’ Address, as well as the Lost Cause’ movement, as examples was to point out how many times the word “Truth” was used and yet proved not to be truths. It was to point out the concept that “Truth” is indeed subjective. This was of course in response to the original letter from the Preservation Committee, “Truth Shall be the Beacon to which We All are Drawn.”
I do, however, think the history of widespread building of Confederate monuments in the early 1900’s in Maryland and surrounding states is significant. Besides my early citings other historians note,“that the majority of Confederate monuments, of the type they define, were “commissioned by white women, in hope of preserving a positive vision of antebellum life.”
Regardless of the original inspiration, it is a statue to those who fought for slavery and therefore a statue that has for decades evoked discomfort if not pain to many people and is now rift amongst our community.
I would suggest forming a committee to design and build a memorial to ALL Talbot County residents who lost their lives in the Civil War, or to expand it and honor all those who have lost their lives in all the wars.
What would you suggest?
Respectfully,
pd
Paul says
Ms. Dwyer, I fully agree that all who fought in that conflict should be recognized. In fact if you go to http://www.preservetalbothistory.org and review the “Principles” section you will see that is a basic principle of the coalition. You can also review the special section about the enormous contributions the US Colored Troops (USCT) made during that conflict.
With the passage of time very few in our community actually know the history of our county and State in that conflict and it has become all to easy just to lump it all together with that of the deep Southern States. That is a purpose of the website, to allow our citizens to lean – if they choose to do such.
Because of this lack of understanding, the Talbot Boys is taken out of context. Whether right or wrong that context is a problem and should be addressed. This is why the Preserve Talbot History group supports a “Unity” monument to represent all who fought on either side, blacks and whites. However it should not be left with that, additional narrative markers would be appropriate to inform viewers of the unique Maryland experience which includes the division between our family members and our black freemen who served their country and blacks who earned freedom by their service. It should also convey how we in Talbot of all races contributed to making a better future in Talbot.
With this concept and Mr. Douglass’s at the courthouse this would tie into building up the history of Unionville and the Hill and other important history we jointly discover. This then ties in with the Harriet Tubman museum in Dorchester and the Douglass park on the Tuckahoe.
The history that the Preserve coalition is uncovering fully reveals that this is far more accurate narrative then the deep Southern State narrative portrayed by the MtM group. Though my personal intent is based in military history, it also seems to tie into and support the social justice movement in Talbot where we move forward together to create a better future.
I think this is a grand idea which we can all work towards. It is building up instead of tearing down. It is about working with, instead of against each other.
Henry Herr says
Mr. Callahan, let’s take a look at a Confederate soldier from a Maryland newspaper then, shall we? “If a tithe of the money squandered by this Abolition Congress and Administration in clothing, feeding and teaching the hordes of greasy, lazy and idle negroes, stolen from their masters, was appropriated to the purpose of compensating the people of our county for losses incurred, many a deserted farm and house would be restore to its wanted cheerfulness. But what cares this Abolition Congress or Administration for “loyal Maryland” if it can “free the n*****” and spend thousands upon thousands of dollars in providing clothing, schools and rations for the ‘intelligent contraband.'” Let’s not pretend Maryland is an exception to racism.
Paul says
Henry, nobody is….
Please review Chapter 8 of Ibram X Kendi’s book “ “How to be an Antiracists”. From that you will come to understand that he states it is a racist concept to judge an entire group by the actions or behavior of an individual. He state that the opposite also applies.
Henry Herr says
You claim that Maryland’s Confederate history is different than it’s Deep South counterparts. You state your opinion on historical events that happened within Maryland. You claim therefore that it is different. But, your claims have 0 proof that any of those soldiers were fighting for the reasons you claim. Show me a primary source from a Confederate soldier stating what he is fighting for. Otherwise, you have 0 proof of your claim. Again, those who want the monument removed have provided example after example of the reasons Confederate Marylanders fought, from primary sources. It was not just because of Lincoln as you claim. Furthermore, again as you continue to quote Dr. Kendi, he is against Confederate statues.
Bob Parker says
Well stated, Ms Dwyer. One must consider the context in the erection of a statue/monument as only then can the true meaning of its intent be clear. In the case of the Talbot Boys monument, it’s erection during the propagation of Jim Crow laws speaks volumes. Any justification that it represent Talbot history is, at best, minimal and at most disengenuous. Any decision regarding it’s future must take this into account.
Michael Davis says
Thanks, Ms. Dwyer for writing this article.
The lost cause view of the Civil War was an extremely successful public relations campaign. It went to the very top with President Wilson hosting the racist movie, “Birth of a Nation,” in the White House. One of America’s favorite films remains “Gone with the Wind.” Among other things, the romance of the lost cause story was that it enabled Jim Crow laws.
Few thought of the horrible inhumane brutalization of enslaved people. A hundred and fifty-plus and it is finally being recognized. And meanwhile, Talbot County has a very public symbol of the damaging lie of the lost cause.
The long quote offered by Ms. Dwyer is a necessary reminder that the war attracting the Talbot Boys was to keep people enslaved. At best, the boys were pawns in a game – to paraphrase Bob Dylan. . A terrible society unworthy of a statue.
Gayle Scroggs says
As Ms. Dwyer makes clear, the Confederacy initiated the Civil War to perpetuate slavery and white supremacy. The Talbot Boy statue was erected decades afterthe Confederate’ defeat in an effort to revive and reinforce white supremacy. It was placed on the lawn of the institution of Justice to drive the point home that blacks should not expect fair and equal treatment. It remains a horrifying monument to violence and inequality. Germans do not memorialize Nazis and notions of Aryan supremacy with statues in or near the halls of justicd. How can any Talbot County citizen who believes in equality and freedom justify this continuing public celebration of white supremacy? How shameful! Put it in a history museum and start celebrating our real shared values.
Mary Hunt-Miller says
Excellent letter, Ms. Dwyer.
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says
Thank you for this excellent essay, and both the heart and scholarship in it.