Ignorance and mob mentality drives this new frenzy to take down historic statutes. Whether Confederate or Yankee soldiers or generals, World War II soldiers raising the flag on Iwo Jima, the plane that dropped the A-bomb on Japan, or Henry Ford, who put the horse and buggy out of business, on and on, [they are] historical reminders of how we got to where we are today. Most of our reminders are over events that were both celebratory and at the same time hurtful to those there at the time, and I view them with hurt in my heart and great sense of pride for what we have overcome. The main point is, history is what it is.
Civil War statuary, for those who even pay attention to it, is a reminder of what it cost to overcome an evil practice allowing one man to own another. It destroyed the South, but the South did rise again and we are better and stronger.
Removing statuary is, in effect, interfering with the free speech and artwork of others. Even the North honored the memory of the Confederate soldiers by having a Confederate section in their cemetery, so who are we to take down the statues? Instead, we should ask ourselves what we should take away and use to make the world a better place.
We need reminders, so we will, hopefully, learn from them and know what we want to repeat or never allow to happen again.
I encourage the Bentonville City Council to resist succumbing to the frenzy to take down the Confederate soldier in our square. I need him to remind me that we have a moral obligation to never again allow one man to own another.
Sue Richardson
Bella Vista
Removal of statues doesn't diminish soldiers' bravery
Treason is defined in the Constitution of the United States, Article III, Section 3. "Treason against the United States, shall consist only of levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."
Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Confederate state politicians and generals that included Robert E. Lee committed treason because they willingly initiated and conducted a war against the United States. Condoning the existence of public statues of, or institutions named for, people who committed treason against the United States means you do not support our Constitution.
Wealthy persons and those benefitting from slavery often were able to control Southern legislatures and to vote for secession to benefit their interests. After the war, in order to justify their treasonous conduct and to divert attention, criticism, and punishment away from themselves for the slaughter of people and destruction of their property, they created the myth of the Lost Cause that gullible or ignorant people still believe today.
Removal of public statues and names from public institutions of those who committed treason does not diminish the conduct and bravery of the subordinates who did not initiate the war, but instead often were conscripted, coerced or compelled to fight for the leaders. After the war, monuments, statues, or memorials were erected in both the North and South, not always to honor the leaders who committed treason, but instead to remember and honor the subordinates who paid so dearly for their sacrifice in that war.
Glen Salter
Fayetteville
Letter writer's slavery comparison a jaw-dropper
I don't know where to begin in response to the jaw-dropping Sept. 4 letter from Earl Dye. I was already shaking my head in disbelief at the first few paragraphs before coming to his seeming rationalization of slavery by comparing his European ancestors who voluntarily indentured themselves in order to come to the new country to the Africans who were captured, held in chains, sold to slave traders, endured a treacherous journey overseas, were purchased and used as labor to enrich others -- with little, if any, chance to gain their freedom.
There is no comparison and it never can be justified.
Might I suggest he go back and read two wonderfully written letters in the Aug. 29 edition of the newspaper by Erica Kriner and Gary Johnson. We should not try to erase our history but neither should we be glorifying those who led young men into battle to divide our country to preserve slavery for the wealthy landowners.
Wanda Nyberg
Eureka Springs
Commentary on 09/09/2017