The Emancipation Memorial has drawn criticism for its “paternalistic imagery of a standing President Lincoln over a kneeling black man and his broken shackles.” Glen Foster who represented the protestors said: “ As a black man when I see the statue, I see that my freedom and liberation only lies with white people.” The failure of Nat Turner”s slave revolt (1831) and John Brown’s raid (1859) to emancipate many Blacks underscored their inability to undermine the institution of slavery prior to the Civil War. Only a well-armed million man army prepared to wage war for four years could effect emancipation.

 

My greatest fear is that we have gone past the point of no return, where no reasonable compromise can be reached. History repeatedly shows that mob violence does not promote lasting change.  (1) the French Reign of Terror was ultimately replaced by a new emperor, Napoleon (2) the Communist uprisings in Germany following World War I led to the takeover by the extreme right of Adolph Hitler (3) the dismantling of Byzantine works of art by the Taliban led to jihadist Islam State, and the violent protests against the Vietnam War led to the success of the law and order candidacy of Richard Nixon. In effect, forces of moderation and democracy are emaciated in the face of extremism.

 

In defense of Lincoln, almost every historian recognizes that only through his executive leadership could the North have prevented a successful Souuthern secession. An independent Southern nation would have maintained slavery indefinitely. Of course, Lincoln was helped by the hundreds of thousands of Freedman soldiers, the millions of White soldiers, a first rate cabinet and the generalship of Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan. Stated differently, only the sacrifice of millions of Whites led to abolition. Almost all officers in the Union army were Whites, who led their black troops. The statue accurately portrays the status of Blacks during the Civil War. The other point is that a statue, like any work of art, is a representation. It reflects the scultor’s vision. Irrespective of its quality, a sculpture cannot serve the same function as a history book. For a mob to decide what sculptures are appropriate reflects the culture of anarchy, not democracy. Almost every American can accept removal of historical works based on legally enacted measures. By contrast, only a minority welcome mob rule.

 

For millions of people, not only Americans, we honor Lincoln because he gave his life that America, an experiment in democracy, could succeed. Lincoln fervently believed that the United States was the world’s best hope. He devoted his life to creating, preserving and protecting our nation because he believed that the ideals of the Revolution should be preserved. His closing words in the Gettysburg Address reflect that belief: “It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

 

Several days ago, I saw on YouTube a tribue to Senator JohnMcCain at his funeral. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Joe Lieberman spoke admiringly about a man who was a member of the opposition party. Lieberman made one telling statement that I would like to share. He said, it is totally appropriate to disagree with another person’s position as long as you do not question his motives.  

 

In closing, I hope that on a bi-partisan basis, political leaders, religious leaders of all faiths, community leaders, and business leaders all express opposition to the illegal disfiguring and removal of statues erected by people of good will to honor our leaders. With the exception of the American Civil War, we have resolved our problems through compromise. We need men of good purpose to provide solutions.