I’m going to give my opinion on this flag debate. The main motivation behind the removal of the Confederate flag is that it is a racist symbol of oppression. So let’s take a look at the history. March 21, 1861 (a few weeks prior to the first attack on the United States at Fort Sumter) Vice President Alexander Stephens delivered a speech in Savannah, Georgia known as the Cornerstone Speech. This speech essentially laid out the quintessential differences between the Confederacy and the United States. The quotes below are taken directly from the speech. I did bold a few lines that I would like to point out in particular. “The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution -- African slavery as it exists amongst us -- the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution.” “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. [Applause.] This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.” Slavery was a huge motivating factor and even Stephens himself claimed that it was catalytic to the start of the war (See the first bolded text). The Southern States were fighting for a new government where the cornerstone was the idea that those of African descent were not equal to white people and slavery is natural. The rebel flag represents the Confederate states and all they stood for; I would assume that this would include the main impetus for the war. Let’s look at this from a different view not directly based on slavery. The Confederacy wished to secede from the United States. By flying the Confederate flag you are flying the battle flag of an enemy to the United States. An estimated 110,070 United States soldiers died in the Civil War at the hands of the Confederate army. The United States constitution defines treason as levying war against the government and aiding and abetting its enemies. So every Confederate soldier, political leader and common person who offered aid to the Confederacy committed treason against the United States. Why would the flag of traitors be seen flying over a government building? Do you know what stance you inherently take when you fly that flag outside your home? I’m nauseated by the people who argue to keep the flying the flag as a symbol of “pride and heritage” just so they can feel validated for their trashy bumper sticker plastered to the back of a dirty pickup truck. I believe that the Confederate flag should be displayed – in a museum, not on a government building. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html http://civilwarcauses.org/corner.htm
