Do you find yourself in or around Charleston this evening?
Charlestonians, generally a hard partying lot, are getting a jump on the festivities commemorating the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War by holding the Secession Gala Ball tonight, organized by the Confederate Heritage Trust, and sponsored by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The event, criticized as "a celebration of treason and slavery" by the ever vigilant and vocal local chapter of the NAACP, which plans to protest the gala, is privately funded.
Mark Simpson, the S.C. division commander for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, said his organization condemns slavery and respects the NAACP’s right to protest.
“We could look back and say (the Civil War) wasn’t something to celebrate – about 620,000 died in the North and South,” Simpson said. “If you count civilians, you’re up to about a million killed in that war. “Do we celebrate that? Heavens no,” he said. “War and death is never something to celebrate. But we do celebrate the courage and the integrity of 170 men who signed their signatures to the Article of Secession – the courage of men to do what they think is right.”
Part 2 of the festivities is the display of the Article of Secession. Seems no one in SC is willing to raise their hand and say have it here.
The first plan was to display it at First Baptist Church in Columbia, where it was drafted on Dec. 17, 1860. The church – whose website notes secessionists met there by order of the S.C. Legislature, “not by invitation of the church” – had no interest in displaying the document.
Next the plan was to display the Articles at the State House, but it was decidedly unwelcome there. The document is on display at the Archives and History building in Charleston.
And so 150 years later, the war continues. We have come so far, and have so far to go.
Toad
2 hours ago
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9 comments:
Toad, I have always wanted to visit, having heard so many great things about Charleston!
Joyeaux Noel!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Charleston is a fabulous city, particularly around The Battery. It is difficult to see how to play the whole Civil War/Romance of the South thing. On one hand the anti-bellum homes are gorgeous and we can all dream of the luxury the masters enjoyed. But no really exalted lifestyle can be had without it being at someone's cost. I suppose one pays big salaries these days for service, but some of the quirky stories one hears makes me wonder if any pay is enough. Never mind - it's all about fantasy, right?
I did see those articles of secession in November -- one of the copies was hanging in a tour home -- interestingly enough, the home it was in, the ancestor, because of his businesses would not sign it!!!! So PC was alive and well even back then!!!
As a person living in a town with civil war history, it is amazing that of all the wars, we're still "fighting" this one. Several times a year reenactors come to our little town to "play" war!!!
And the heritage organizations from this war -- the Sons of Union Veterans, the Daughters of Union Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Perhaps all of this is because this was an American war?
I do know that in our little town we're celebrating in January at our National Historic Site -- for we feel that we (Bleeding Kansas) is the true start of the War Between the States.
The biggest issue for me is I remember the 100th anniversary as a boy living in Augusta Ga. God I'm old. We're still arguing on of the biggest issues of the war today, states rights.
Here, here James! States rights was a driving force in The War. Funny how that is rarely remembered.
And thanks to you Toad for writing on this. Many would not.
We have a letter from one of my several-great aunts talking to family in the North (Baltimore) about hearing the first shots of the war.
Like James I can remember the 100 year anniversary celebrations. (I bet you too had a gray kepi, with the confederate flag sticker on the front, James) Times were VERY much different then.
Yes I did!
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