I am writing in response to the May 18, 2016, article about the controversy over the Confederate flag in Crosby-Ironton.
After reading the article, I thought maybe I had read my history books wrong, or I didn't remember what went on. So, I went to the Brainerd Library and reviewed some of the books about the Civil War. In particular I read "Civil War Chronicle," a day-by-day story of the Civil War edited by J. Matthew Gallman.
The Civil War is like taking apart an onion. When you peel off the layers of obfuscation like "states' rights" or "monetary issues" or "currency" lies and feelings you get to the core of the situation, which is slavery. Slavery was the most horrible, shameful institution ever created in this country. Only 2 percent of the people owned slaves, but that 2 percent were powerful and deeply entrenched due to land ownership and financial interests. The situation could not be supported any longer (in any case) and with pro-slavery forces pushing to expand slavery west across the country something had to be done.
Minnesota, although only a state since 1858 sent hundreds of men to fight on the Union side. In fact, the first Minnesota Volunteers fighting at Gettysburg in July of 1863 suffered 224 killed or wounded out of 262 officers and men, a most gallant stand against the rebels.
So, I hope you reconsider flying the Confederate flag, because to many it will always be a symbol of slavery and shameful racism.
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Francis J. Lemke
Brainerd
