Burke County's political leaders respond to monument issue

In mid-September, the following letter was sent to the five members of the Morganton City Council, Morganton council candidate Dolores Huffman, the five Burke County Commissioners, N.C. State Rep. Hugh Blackwell, and N.C. State Sen. Warren Daniel:

We at The Paper have decided to tackle the issue of the Confederate monument standing on the Historic Courthouse Square in the very heart of downtown Morganton. 

As you well know, this is a controversial issue which raises strong feelings.

Our intent is to provide a balanced, thoughtful look at the situation, including the legal and historical perspectives, written by Marty Queen.

What I’m asking from you is where you personally stand on the monument.

Legalities aside, do you think it should be removed or left where it is, and why do you think so?

We think the residents and taxpayers of Morganton and of Burke County have the right to know where their leaders stand on this issue, and we trust that you think so too.

If you could respond with your thoughts by the end of the day on Sept. 29, it would be most appreciated.

Here are their responses as submitted:

Sen. Warren Daniel

I supported the current monuments protection law that passed the Senate in 2015 with unanimous, bipartisan support. It was passed to protect current historical monuments of all types regardless of the era or conflict they represent.

The law prohibits acts of vandalism and gives local governments limited authority to remove monuments to protect them from being removed or destroyed based on political considerations.

The history of our country has at times been admirable and inspirational, but also on many occasions it has been ugly and sinful. History should be our teacher. It is important that we as Americans remember and learn from it, especially at a time when most Americans can’t identify the rights guaranteed to them by the First Amendment.  

As with many state laws, over time they may need review and possible amendments. I am not aware of any current efforts in the General Assembly to modify this current law, but I am willing to hear from constituents in the 46th District about whether they believe changes should be made.

Here is a link to the vote count in the Senate. It is worth noting that when it passed it had support from our current Attorney General and three current Democratic members of Congress. https://www.ncleg.gov/Legislation/Votes/RollCallVoteTranscript/2015/S/124.

Rep. Hugh Blackwell

We are still in the processes of this year's long legislative session.  As I expect you know, my own legislative focus has been mostly in the areas of education, mental health and health care issues, the opioid epidemic, as well as parks, recreation and trails.

I will be following your series with great interest.  I invite those in Burke who wish to share their own views or comments with me to do so.  The most efficient way is to email me at my legislative email address which is Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.gov.  I'll do my best to review each.

Burke County Board of Commissioners

The Burke County Board of  Commissioners (a joint statement authored by Chairman Scott Mulwee for Vice-Chairman Jeff Brittain, Randy Burns, Johnnie Carswell, and Phil Smith):

As The Paper referenced in its reporting on this topic, North Carolina law prohibits removing objects of historical significance, including the monument in question, except under very limited circumstances.

Burke County, like all communities in North Carolina, is a legal subdivision of the State of North Carolina, which requires the Board to remain committed to the specific areas that we have statutory authority.

As an elected local governing Board, we must all seek to first uphold the law and to focus on leveraging public policy and public resources in the areas that are in our purview.

While always keeping this duty at the forefront, the Board of Commissioners are focused on community advancement, public safety enhancements, support of education policy, job creation and economic development, as well as projects like broadband expansion, substance abuse prevention, and housing.

We want to make the most positive impact on the lives of Burke County citizens.

Morganton Mayor Ronnie Thompson

I took my oath of office to uphold all North Carolina laws. Removal of the statue would be a violation of a current North Carolina law. I would prefer to remove the soldier since it was an addition to the original memorial. The memorial should stay because it includes the names of Burke County families.

Morganton City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Cato

As I have pondered your request for my personal opinion regarding the Confederate monument on the Historic Courthouse Square, I realized that once you are an elected official, your opinion also reflects the decisions you make.

I must also realize that I represent all the citizens of Morganton who have pro and con opinions on this matter.

I also believe in the law and abiding by the law. Whether I agree with the state statute, regarding monuments on government property, the current State law does not allow for the removal of the monument and soldier at this time.

Having said that, I do have an opinion regarding the monument on the Square. My personal opinion mirrors a compromise suggested by the City Council in past conversations.

I would like to see the original stone monument and finial remain.

It was a war and lives were lost, families grieved, and the monument provides an outward recognition of their sacrifice.

As I have educated myself regarding when the soldier was placed on top of the original monument. I realized that it was intended to intimidate, not educate, or provide recognition. Its removal would allow the original names placed on the stone their due honor.

During the Vietnam War (not designated as a war) the country scorned the military. Our soldiers came home to hatred and disillusionment for the battles they fought. It wasn’t until the Memorial Wall was designed and built that these men and women were recognized and honored for the lives they lost.

I feel the same about the names on the original monument, whether we agree with the reasons they fought, they laid down their lives and their lives mattered.

Morganton City Councilman Butch McSwain

I have stated often that I feel, personally, that our Community would be better served by moving the statue to a more appropriate location.

I do believe as a Council Member, we have a responsibility to abide by current law and we are bound to current state statutes.

However, I have strived to represent ALL our citizens. I realize there are families who have relatives who are honored in the original monument. I do understand that, as my family made sure our Dad was included in the World War II Monument in Washington, D.C.

As a compromise, I would prefer a “re-do” of the monument to more match the “21st Century appearance” of the Killed in Action Memorial and the Charters of Freedom Display nearby.

This would also offer the opportunity to allow families to improve the quality of the display of their names.

Morganton City Councilman Chris Jernigan

Symbols are created, erected, etc. to evoke emotion. The Memorial to Confederate Soldiers in our downtown certainly has done that throughout its existence.

First, it evoked emotions of pride as relatives and others remembered those whose names were engraved there. I suppose that was a good thing at the time.

But now the symbol evokes emotions of negative feelings, fear, and anger, and that is not a good thing for this time.

I firmly believe that honoring men and women who fought in any of the wars we have faced in this young nation is a good thing.

Unfortunately, one of those wars was not fought for reasons of protecting our nation against outside threats but against ourselves. Nonetheless, it was a necessary war to move our nation forward and help us get closer to being the nation of free and equal citizens our forefathers imagined.

To honor those who died on both sides of that war is not a bad thing, but to continue to honor them in a way that perpetuates fear, anger, and hatred is a bad thing.

I do not believe that the monument as originally constructed evokes the same negative emotions that the “remade” monument with the soldier’s statue on top does. I am not saying that it doesn’t create any negative emotions. I am sure it does. But not nearly to the same degree that the soldier on top does.

I believe strongly that therein lies a legal and fitting compromise.

It is my strong opinion that the soldier should be removed and the original finial that rests on the ground nearby should be put back on top. As I read the State statute that prevents removing the monument, this type of alteration would certainly be allowed.

Therefore, I again suggest that a compromise that falls within legal ramifications and still honors the memory of fallen soldiers while removing the glaring symbol that evokes negative emotions should be undertaken immediately as a gesture of hope and goodwill to all our citizens.

Morganton City Councilman Chris Hawkins

After reading your email, the following are some of my thoughts:

As you stated, the Historic Burke County Courthouse Square is located in the heart of downtown Morganton. Many events take place on the Courthouse Square and the grounds are enjoyed by countless Burke County citizens and visitors throughout the year.

In my opinion, I do not think the Courthouse Square is an appropriate place for the Confederate statue. That being stated, I understand that current law does not allow this monument to be moved or relocated.

As you also state in your email, this controversial issue does raise strong feelings among many citizens in Burke County.

I think it is imperative that no matter what one's opinion on this issue may be, that everyone should respect the law, respectfully listen and seek to understand the perspective of others, and be open to compromise.

It is my hope and prayer that as we, as a community, better understand each other, and as we extend grace and compassion to each other, that discussions about this issue will help bring our community closer together and not further apart.

Morganton City Council candidate Dolores Huffman

I don't have any strong feelings one way or the other about the statue because I don't have any family members associated with it.  I think it is a piece of history, which we are fast losing.

I understand how it is hurtful to some people, but instead of focusing on the negatives of the statue, why don't we focus on the positives of today and erect something on the square that represents today's culture?  

If the statue is removed, I don't think it should be stored in a warehouse somewhere.  Another home should be found for it.  And if we remove the statue, are we going to rename the streets associated with slaveholders?  I would think some of the street names would be hurtful to citizens, too.  I also don't think the decision should be made by a small group of people, but put to a countywide vote.