A debate is raging over statues, monuments and other tributes honoring Americans in centuries past. Each person should be evaluated on the basis of his or her contribution to civilization. Aristotle supported slavery, but he made significant contribution to human knowledge. Decisions on American tributes should be made by elected officials, not mob rule.
George Washington made an enormous contribution to the creation of the United States. Historians have argued that without Washington and Franklin, the United States would not have been created near the end of the 18th century. (Franklin persuaded the French to fund the American revolution and provide nearly half of the military personnel.) Washington owned slaves, which were freed when he and Martha died. Nevertheless, Washington should continue to be honored for his positive contributions to the United States.
Likewise, Thomas Jefferson made significant contributions to the United States. He drafted the Declaration of Independence and was the leading advocate for religious freedom. He served as Governor of Virginia and President of the U.S. He was also the founder of the University of Virginia. Jefferson owned slaves and only some were freed upon his death. He should also continue to be honored for his contributions to the U.S.
Article 3 of the U.S. Constitution states “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against” the United States. Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee met the Constitution’s definition of treason. They engaged in a war against the United States to preserve slavery in the Confederate States. Their war against the United States caused the deaths of 620,000 Americans. That is about the same number of American soldiers who died in all wars combined since the Civil War.
Neither Davis nor Lee nor their senior officers should be honored by statues, monuments or other tributes. In addition, forts including Bragg, Benning, Hood and other military bases named for Confederates should be remained. Lee apparently agreed when he wrote in 1869 that he objected to the idea of creating Confederate monuments because it would be wiser “not to keep open the sores of war but to follow the examples of those nations who endeavored to obliterate the marks of civil strife.”
Lee’s advice was followed by Germany. Germany does not honor Adolph Hitler, Joseph Goebbels, Herman Goring, Heinrich Himmler and other leading Nazis. Neither should the U.S. honor Confederate leaders.
Removing monuments and renaming military bases does not change nor diminish American history. It stops honoring men who diminished American history.
