Thomas F. Harney

[L Verge]

"...in this day and age displaying a Confederate flag raises questions about the racial beliefs of those who fly it."

I do not and never have displayed the Confederate flag, and Surratt House uses it on one sign in conjunction with the U.S. flag - both of which are furled to show that the war is over. However, having dealt with squabbles such as those that have arisen here, I know of many people who show the battle flag as a protest against the personal encroachments that our far-reaching government policies are making on individual liberties - with no meaning attached to slavery or racial divide at all. It is sort of a 21st-century version of the states' rights issue of the 1850s-60s with concern coming from a wide variety of U.S. races and ethnicities.

"I think Lincoln said something about having a solemn oath to preserve, protect, and defend."

U.S. Presidents state that in their Oath of Office, and the pledge ends with "...the Constitution of the United States," I believe. Am I correct that the Constitution made no mention of the slavery issue until Amendment 13 (and 14 & 15) were added? Lincoln's 1861 pledge was to uphold the Constitution that made no mention of slavery, as I understand the interpretation.

"Historian Mark Grimsley, Ohio State, said in one of his video talks that his ancestors are from the South and he would have been a Confederate soldier if he lived back then because he lacked modern-day perspective."

Mark was actually a speaker at the first Surratt conference back in 2000. He spoke on the secret societies that were in place before and during the Civil War. Very good speaker. The comment above reinforces my constant harping on the subject that we cannot judge our ancestors by modern standards/perspectives. He's learned the lesson; I wish more people would.

Now, can we get back on topics that actually teach us things instead of modern convictions being hurled back and forth from all sides?