The idea for a unity monument to replace or accompany The Talbot Boys memorial on the courthouse lawn, being promoted by Laura Price and others, is wrong–headed and unacceptable on many levels. Most of all, it suggests an equivalency between the cause of the Union and that of the Confederacy in the Civil War—whereas the plain fact is that one side was morally right (for freedom) and the other was morally wrong (for slavery).
To commemorate and honor the Confederate flag and soldiers on public property is an insult and affront to our African American citizens, whose ancestors were stolen, sold, whipped, worked to death for no pay, murdered, raped, and denied basic human rights for hundreds of years right here in Talbot County.
This should be especially apparent in the aftermath of the events of 2020, and the resulting national impulse for greater racial understand and equity. And it must be brought home to all by the disgraceful exhibition at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, with the disgusting and unforgettable picture of a domestic terrorist carrying the Confederate flag through its halls.
When we see Confederate flags on display, whether at the riot in Washington or here on the Eastern Shore, they are rightly and universally understood as symbols of hatred and contempt for the black people of this country. There is simply no other explanation.
State and local governments nationwide–including in my own hometown of Helena, Montana–have removed statues and symbols such as The Talbot Boys during the past year. And the States of South Carolina and Mississippi have taken them from government flagpoles. It’s past time for Talbot County to get with the program and catch up with the rest of America.
Gerry Early is the former director of the Talbot County Arts Council. Prior to that appointment, he was a career officer in the U.S. Army.
David Montgomery says
This painting of the Battle of Spotsylvania is from the Library of Congress. Would any rational person object to it or feel persecuted because the Confederate flag is displayed? Should the Confederate side’s flag be painted over, or the painting moved off government property? We appreciate this art. But it depicts exactly what the proposed Unity Monument would: soldiers of both sides, identified by their flags, with the Confederate flag in a position subordinate to that of the victorious Union. The Confederate battle flag has no life of its own, its meaning in art comes from the intent of the artist. In the case of the Unity Monument, it is to remember men from both sides, identified by their colors and insignia, with a clear indication that the Confederates lost. Just like its use in this classic painting.
Carolyn Ewing says
Thank you, David. Your point is well taken and will, I hope, have some positive impact on those who object to reflecting an accurate portrayal of the complex history of Maryland during the Civil War.
Eva M. Smorzaniuk, M.D. says
Sadly it does not represent the complex history of the war, but, rather, the complex and repugnant history of the Jim Crow era. The base was dedicated in 1914, and the statue was added in 1916. Take a look at the composition of the committee to erect the monument – most were wealthy white landowners and previous slave owners.
Paul says
The continuation of the accusations only leads to more loss of credibility.
The false allegations that this monument’s “only” purpose was to oppress people of color has been proven false.
These false allegations were meant to inappropriately influence many well intended good hearted citizens of Talbot.
Just stop with it already – move on please
Penelope Dywer says
There is an enormous difference between such a piece of artwork in a museum or similar historic institution, i.e. Library of Congress, versus our Courthouse, which represents freedom and justice. A better similarity would be to offer a statue of fallen Third Riecht soldiers in front of a Synagogue in Germany.
Our courthouse is a place that citizens must enter in search of the very principles of equality and justice. The Talbot Boys represents neither equality nor justice for over half the population in 1914 in Maryland and slightly less today, and is an overbearing intimidating representation and reminder of land-owning, slave-owning whites and those who still represent that population. How can anyone of color enter out courthouse and not feel that.
Maryland was designated as a Union state tho many of our citizens chose to fight to defend their lands and way of life by joining the confederacy. During reconstruction, needless to say many hardships were born by those that supported the confederacy. There were untold hardships and I understand why the Preserve History committee wants never to forget.
But this monument belongs in a museum or confederate battle field, NOT in front of our Courthouse, so says many ancestors whose names are on the monument.
Robert Horvath says
I agree with Gerry Early 100% There is no justification for that statue to remain on the courthouse lawn, It is way past time to remove it.
Nina Wahl says
I suggest we stand back for a moment and consider what we would like to see in front of our Courthouse that represents Justice. I don’t believe anyone can possibly consider the Talbot Boys memorial symbolizes justice. It does not belong there and if it must be anywhere it seems it only belongs in the context of history.
Anne C Stalfort says
You made the case for removing The Talbot Boys and dismissing the proposed Unity statue much better than I have. Thank you.
John Noble says
You are right. This monument should be moved (perhaps to Springfield Cemetery?). It was not erected to honor those men who are named on it. The war had been over for some fifty years when the statue was built but even in our county the KKK and Jim Crow were very much alive. It seems clear to me that it was intended to project a racist message.
Rev Julie Hart says
I agree in part with ‘some’ of the points made, by Gerry Early. But I don’t understand a few.
What about,”any rational person.” I’m not sure what that means or intends. Does that mean a caucasian person? An educated person? Or one that simply agrees with my point of view? What does the painting say to black and brown persons? Art is meant to be interpreted. Often it is far from the intended meaning of the artist. But art has a life of it’s own.
What does the Confederate flag say to various races of people? I, myself, do believe that The Confederate flag has a life of it’s own; and speaks. It is a symbol. The Confederate Battle flag points to a reality in which it participates (to this day). That is a definition of a symbol.
Symbols are filled with meaning; and vary in interpretation, and intent. It is good to be aware of, sensitive to, and open to others’ interpretation. What does this statue say today? What does this symbol say today? What does this statue– this symbol say by where it is placed? I’m sure none of us would intentionally insult or harm our black and brown neighbors. What is their understanding or interpretation of The Talbot Boys statue? Do we care to ask? Do we care to listen?
Rev Julie Hart
Paul says
The statue says the war is over and we are reunited to build a better future together – which they did.
It is also to give respect to all those in Talbot who had the guts to stand for the principles which Talbot countians fought – Hence the flag in a position of respect for the Union men. The Talbot confederates were responsible for designing and the theme of this monument. The inscription “To the Talbot Boys” is believed to be an outward statement to all the men from Talbot who fought – blue and gray.
Does that answer your questions?
Time to abide by their example and move on to better endeavors.
Jim Richardson says
Thank you Mr. Early for you thoughtful letter.
I would like to comment on Mr. Montgomery’s reply. however. I agree with him that a Confederate flag depicted in a painting and displayed in an art museum is totally appropriate. And furthermore, I would have no problem being able to view the Talbot Boys Monument in the same museum setting where it can be given the context that makes it meaningful. Most of us who support the statue’s removal, in fact, have advocated for exactly that. What I disagree with you is where the statue is located NOW. Because of the PRESENT symbolism of the Confederate flag and specifically its relationship with white supremacy and slavery, the entire monument needs to be moved off the courthouse grounds. Unfortunately for all of us, no one so far seems to want it – no museum, no art gallery, no cemetery. It’s really not that complicated. The monument needs to be moved. A compromise is totally unacceptable and until that step is taken, we cannot begin to heal.
Jim Richardson says
Thank you Mr. Early for you thoughtful letter.
I would like to comment on Mr. Montgomery’s reply, however. I agree with him that a Confederate flag depicted in a painting and displayed in an art museum is totally appropriate. And furthermore, I would have no problem being able to view the Talbot Boys Monument in the same museum setting where it can be given the context that makes it meaningful. Most of us who support the statue’s removal, in fact, have advocated for exactly that. What I disagree with you is where the statue is located NOW. Because of the PRESENT symbolism of the Confederate flag and specifically its relationship with white supremacy and slavery, the entire monument needs to be moved off the courthouse grounds. Unfortunately for all of us, no one so far seems to want it – no museum, no art gallery, no cemetery. It’s really not that complicated. The monument needs to be moved. A compromise is totally unacceptable and until that step is taken, we cannot begin to heal.
Michael Davis says
The painting is not in front of a government office where everyone should expect fair treatment. The comparison with the Talbot statue is not relevant. The statue is an offensive symbol where everyone has to walk to do business with Talbot county.
A unity statue would suffer from the equivalence issue already well addressed in other’s comments. We celebrate the victory over the Confederacy. A peace movement to let the Confederacy co-exist with the Union was soundly defeated by the election of 1864. That was the end of unity on this issue.
The statue is racist. Apparently only Talbot County in all of Maryland wants to retain racist symbols on public land. That is a subject worthy of debate, not whether the statue is racist.
Vernon Jones says
For months, many perspectives have been published in the Spy. Let us recognize that the purpose of the County’s properties, the Courthouse in this case, is not to showcase sides of an argument base on a majority vote with a monument being the result. The purpose of the County is public services. Budgets are always tight. Monuments always cost taxpayers even when initially paid with private funds. Here is I think a very different solution. (1) Make no changes to existing monuments until 2022; (2) Establish a moratorium on any new monuments of any kind on County properties with an exception for museums for two decades, the moratorium to be re-visited in 2040; and (3) All existing monuments and statues be removed from County properties as quickly as possible but no later than four years from now. After a reasonable transition, the County and its governing bodies will not be favoring proposals unless dictated by the State of Maryland. Some will say this is too extreme. To be clear, my motivation is to keep County officials focused on their core mission which is providing essential services and real progress that can benefit each and every citizen. Monuments are not essential; history will exist regardless.
Dick Deerin says
The confederate monument and statue have to go.
Marilyn Nace says
David,
According to their website, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution, and it serves as the research arm of Congress. The painting of the Battle of Spotsylvania should be displayed there. The Talbot Boys statue should be displayed in a cultural institution/museum, too. Their sacrifice is part of Maryland history.
The issue isn’t the story behind what the statue represents and isn’t about the complex history of Maryland during the Civil War. The sole issue is whether this particular statue should be in front of any American courthouse. Do you feel that this statue conveys a feeling of “justice for all?” I don’t.
Harriette Lowery says
Thank you Mr. Early. You have touched my heart in a deep and profound way today. You have written much of my story, my family’s story that I could not have willingly, without sorrow and pain, speak out loud. I am the seven generation of enslaved Africans and African-Americans on plantations of Talbot County. I know the recorded facts and history of my family’s life here; the murder of a member of my family by an overseer to “teach the rest of the slaves a lesson”; the story of my great,great grandfather and 17 others coming back from the Civil War, “Free” but not really free, but “making a way out of no way” for their families. I know the story of erecting the “Confederate Statue” on the Courthouse lawn to teach them another lesson. I grew up in segregated Talbot County, and the lessons we had to learn: where we could go to stay safe,keep your head down,and don’t look a white man in the eye, and so many more lessons still! I am not the only one who remembers the stories, nor am I the only one that has a story to tell. We cannot forget because too many in Talbot County don’t want us to forget our “place”. The Confederate Statue on the Talbot County Courthouse lawn will not allow us to forget nor heal. A Unity Statue cannot make us forget nor erase the horrific stories. The first step to healing, justice & forgiving is to REMOVE THE CONFEDERATE STATUE & BASE FROM THE COURTHOUSE LAWN.
Eva M. Smorzaniuk, M.D. says
Ms. Lowery thank you for your eloquent and heartfelt letter. This monument to hatred has no place on public grounds, least of all in front of a courthouse. Thank you for sharing your story!
Megan Berman says
Thank you, Harriette for sharing your story. They must be shared to educate and never forget. The injustices of your past (and present) cannot be ignored and I am honored you shared them with us.
Jim Richardson says
For clarification, I believe that the Rev Julie Hart mistakingly attributed some of Mr. Montgomery’s remarks to Mr. Early’s. For example, the phrase “any rational person” was used in Mr. Montgomery’s reply to Gerry Early’s letter to the editor.
David Montgomery says
It is always great to see many comments. This time I am struck by how almost all disagreed (or ironically agreed) with something I did not write. The point that these comments miss is that what matters now is the intent of those who would create the Unity Monument, not what might have been the intent of those who put in place the Talbot Boys. There is no intent within the present group to intimidate, to incite racism, or to celebrate slavery, and I am offended at how often we are accused of having those purposes. My point was that it is possible to view a representation of the Civil War era that includes images of the Battle Flag without taking offense at its presence. We do so because the artist presents it in context with no intention to incite or intimidate. That is exactly the intention for a Unity Monument, with both Union and Confederate soldiers present and the Confederate flag furled, as it is now, in surrender. I hope we can take up the discussion on Mr. Early’s topic, the Unity Monument, and find common ground in its design, including flags that tell whom the figures represent.
Megan Berman says
Read Harriette Lowery’s comment above. Any representation of the confederate army on the courthouse lawn would offend her. So the mission of the unity statue has failed.
Paul Callahan says
When conducting research into Talbot’s United States Colored Troops (USCT) who fought in the Civil war, I was struck by so many family names I recognized as those of my childhood friends while growing up in Talbot. I thought how proud these families would be when they see the names of their ancestors on the Unity monument.
Today, I am struck by how many names of those in opposition to the unity monument that I do not recognize. Since the opposition to the Unity monument was instantaneous, I am sure little thought was given to asking these family members what they think about their ancestors being so honored.
This is of little surprise, many of those who oppose this idea seem to believe their progressive consciousness is so advanced that they know what is best for our community – both black and white. With this amount of enlightenment, they also had no need to check historical facts before making public allegations that the Talbot Boys monument was “only” erected to oppress people of color – an accusation shown to be false by the research of the Preserve Talbot History coalition. (Source documents at http://www.preservetalbothistory.org)
It is apparent that you may not fully understand the “Maryland Experience” during that conflict. I cannot fault you since you mentioned that you are not from Maryland, so let me attempt.
Early in that conflict our State Legislature attempted valiantly keep our State neutral and to prevent the oncoming war. Additionally, they did their best to protect the citizens of Maryland against the Constitutional violations committed by the Federal government. Their Petitions to Congress and Proclamations were published throughout the State. They analyzed the US Constitution along with the Declaration of Independence in detail.
Shortly before they were arrested, 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 to include: 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.
Now not being from Maryland – what do you think of the “Maryland Experience”?
Michel Davis says
I can’t help myself in responding to Paul. I used to teach logic. His whole point is a logical fallacy called ad hominem. Rather than argue the truth or falsehood of a point of view, you trash the person presenting. it. Like, don’t believe Einstein because he’s Jewish. Or don’t say the Talbot Boys is racist unless you are from here or have not memorized Maryland history.
By the way, Paul, I used to teach logic in MARYLAND schools. And I still know the stature is racist.
Paul Callahan says
Michael, My apologies if you took that as a personal attack.
If you want Truth go to http://www.preservetalbothistory.org. The historical documents are there for you to read for yourself. It documents everything I stated about the “Maryland Experience” from the historical documents themselves.
You said you taught logic and not racist theory, so is it logical that you state what is racist and what is not?
Is it logical to deny or ignore Truth?
Truth IS logic…..
Megan Berman says
Harriette Lowery’s family name would be on it. She is well versed in the history of Talbot County. She is against the unity statue.
Darrell Parsons says
Thank you for this.
Darrell Parsons says
I hadn’t seen the other comments when I said my “thank you” above. I meant to be thanking Mr. Early. I don’t believe there is any way that statue can remain – or be altered – in a way which would be viewed as a stand for justice for all people. Regardless of any artist’s intent, the statue sends a message which is offensive, and which flies in the face of unity and justice.
Suzanne Todd says
I have read the accounts regarding the treatment of Maryland’s state rights before the Civil War. My question remains – do you have documentation that the men whose names are listed on the base of the monument fought because of their grievance over trampled state rights? This may have happened, but did they support the Confederacy for that or to keep slavery? I don’t have documentation that they fought for slavery, either.
As to the idea of a Unity statue? I think it’s a bandaid for the problem, not in any way does it solve the problem. The Confederate flag on the monument continues to be a symbol of racism.
Jess Haberman says
There is a reason habeas corpus was suspended by the Republican government of President Lincoln and those who would disagree its purpose was to trample the constitutional rights of Marylanders. A quick review shows preserve Talbot history org may not be unbiased. I say remove the Talbot boys monument. After it’s gone we can talk about a unity monument.
Paul says
The “Move the Monument” (MtM) group represents a small minority with extreme views that is supported by this online publication (the Talbot Spy). Their tactics are clear. They publicly made race-based accusations against our council members who did not vote their way. This was to intimidate both the council members and to strike fear into any of our citizens that might stand in their way.
They then went on to make extreme public accusations against our Talbot ancestors and towards the purpose the Talbot Boys monument was placed. Their public statements parrot the “talking points” issued to them by the SPLC from Montgomery Alabama.
Their intent is to manipulate the good-hearted citizens of Talbot to support their cause. Their underlying intent has little to do with the Talbot Boys statue – that is just the means to their end. They repeatedly state that once we fully acknowledger our past (the version which they purport) then we must move forward to the “next step” on how we must “reconcile” with that past. I believe it would be safe to assume that this “next step” and the “reconciliation” steps will be dictated by them to us also.
The Preserve Talbot History (PTH) coalition has shown that the “Move the Monument” accusations to be false, both as to why our ancestors rose and as to why the Talbot Boys monument was placed. The Talbot Spy has attempted to suppress our communications by requiring different criterial for the PTH submissions then they do for the MtM publications. A case in point is how the Spy puts MtM communications as an Op-Ed on their site so it will remain visible for a significant time while relegating the PTH communications as “Letters to the Editor” that remains for a short time. Even the historic discovery that ties the placement and theme of the Talbot Boys to the Gettysburg reunion of 1913 – an incredible unveiling of our history, was relegated as a “Letter to the Editor” The Spy sat on this story for quite a while and only published such after repeated emails from Talbot citizens asking why they had not published this important historical information immediately.
The PTH has established a website http://www.preservetalbothistory.org that has the actual historical documents for anyone to read for themselves without the biases imposed by others. They were downloaded from the State Archives, the Library of Congress and original newspaper accounts written when those events actually happened.
It is well past time that the “Move the Monument” / social justice movement just move on to their “next step” plans without the modification of our history to support such. The continuing of their false narrative will continue their loss or credibility with the citizens of Talbot county. Likewise the Talbot Spy’s attempts to suppress other groups communications and important historical discoveries will only cause a loss of their journalistic credibility with their readers.