Posted on 08/04/2006 9:21:56 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
The battle between heritage and hate is erupting again. A state appeals court now says a Confederate heritage group can sue the state over removal of controversial memorial plaques in the Texas Supreme Court.
As long as the plaques that barely mention the Confederacy hang in the Texas Supreme Court, Terry Ayers says the state is slighting his and others' ancestors who fought in the Civil War.
"I want to take my grandchildren down to the supreme court and show them, 'Look, your great, great grandfather, this building was dedicated to him.' Of course it's personal," Ayers said.
The Texas Supreme Court was built in the mid-50s using money from the Confederate Pension Fund. But the original plaques honoring the Confederacy were quietly taken down six years ago, after minority groups complained they were offensive.
"I think what really upsets folks is the fact that minority people had government do something to help them," Gary Bledsoe with the Texas NAACP said.
Confederate heritage groups say government was wrong to take down the originals. Their lawsuit to put them back up was thrown out of state court, but now the Third Court of Appeals is re-instating it.
"This was illegal. They went in and took down the people's property. They didn't have a right to do that," Ayers said.
But minority groups say the court battle is only a procedural victory and vow to fight replacement of the original plaques.
"Clearly, people should get over those issues and not want to cram racially offensive symbols down the throats of racial and ethnic minorities," Bledsoe said.
Some in the Confederate heritage movement say there is still room for compromise that could include putting the plaques back up, but replacing the Confederate battle flag with a Texas battle flag. Minority groups say the compromise is already hanging on the wall. So they'll have to settle this battle in court.
There's no word when the lawsuit could be back in state court. The Texas attorney general's office is refusing comment on the appellate court ruling.
Dixie ping
Put me on your Dixie ping.
Okay, so this is a purely inquisitive response.
What does Texas have to do with the confederacy?
Mr. H.K. Edgerton should know of this
The Texans — Hood's Texans, of Longstreet's corps, just at the right place and at the right moment! After the strain of the dawn, the sight of these Grenadier Guards of the South was too much for Lee. For once the dignity of the commanding general was shattered; for once his poise was shaken.
"Hurrah for Texas," he shouted, waving his hat; "Hurrah for Texas."
More here
- ( General Robert E. Lee in a letter to General John Bell Hood, May 21, 1863)
Short description here
Are you kidding me???
My Texas ancestors fought and some died during the Civil War (Confederate Army).
But to satisfy your inquisitive nature :-) ....
"By the end of 1861, 25,000 Texans were in the Confederate Army" (Texas State Handbook Online www.tsha.utexas.edu)
This museum is definitely worth a visit to Ft. Worth, but while you're there, be sure to also check out the Kimbell Art Museum and the Ft. Worth Zoo. There are lots of things to do in Cowtown, but those three are at the top of my list!
Aside from the fact that Texas troops were in many battles the backbone of the Confederate forces and were instrumental in many of the Confederacy's early victories? And that the admission of Texas to the Union as a slave state began the polarization that led to the Civil War?
Not much.
don't ya'all forget 'those Men!' from Mississippi neither
ya hear? ;^)
Texas sent 90,000 soldiers to fight in the Confederate Army. Texas was one of the first states to secede in Feb 1861.
Any more questions?
"I think what really upsets folks is the fact that minority people had government do something to help them," Gary Bledsoe with the Texas NAACP said."
No. That is not the reason. A carpetbagger routine is again being pulled. Reconstruction was horrendous and it is being continued with the cry babies of the NAACP...
HK has been to Austin to "demonstrate against the PC-idiots!"
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
OK Mr. Bledoe. Let's get rid of ALL symbols that have racial connections.
We can begin by renaming the thousands of Martin Luther King boulevards around the country.
After all, I'm sure that there are some people that find these MLK street signs offensive and we shouldn't 'cram' these 'racially offensive' symbols down their throats.
(BTW, please add me to the Dixie ping list)
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