Chaplain's Comments: Alabama Flag

[thea_447]

The giant Confederate Battle flag flying alongside Interstate 65 in Autauga County, Alabama, has raised great emotion in many people. Those of us who revere our Confederate ancestors, those brave men and women who tried to create a new nation, only feel pride in our Southern heritage. We are proud to be descended from patriots who gave their wealth, their blood and often their lives to create and defend a new nation more in tune with the constitutional principles of local self-government.

Then there are others who anger at the sight of the flag, who regard men such as Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson AND Jefferson Davis as traitors to their nation, maligning men of such integrity and moral stature that they are still admired and studied around the world. These angry critics are guilty of a common fault; that is judging the past by the parameters of today.

Prior to The War Between The States, a patriot's political loyalty was to his state and then to the Union. We were founded as a confederation of united sovereign states. The founders reasoned that if the states voluntarily entered into the Union, they could also separate from it. The "Civil" War established by force of arms an all-powerful federal government with subservient states, and this principle is enforced more and more every year. Some of these antagonists do so out of hatred of all things Southern, who keep "stirring up the pot" to bring attention to themselves and to amplify their own power base. Yet others have been taught that way and are too closed-minded to see our side of the issue.

In my perception, the modern Confederate Movement does not hate anyone or any group. We don't protest or try to deny other groups the right to celebrate their heritage and the high water marks of their history. Why can't we all respect one another and work together to celebrate our rich national history?

Bill Branch
Chaplain, Camp 1524