Letter to Governor Bush and his Chief of Staff

Bellow is a letter from a very concerned citizen of Texas. He is concerned about the recent removal of the two plaques that commemorate the sacrifice that the Confederate forces from the state of Texas made. We hope that Mr. Woodward's writing has not been in vain, and that Governor Bush will put the plaques back were he got them from.

Dear Mr. Johnson:

I must express my deep concern regarding the continued assault on the Confederate heritage of this state and the Governor’s failure to defend the memory of those who fought for Texas during the War Between the States. As a well-read voter, I have reached the conclusion that Governor Bush is willing to sacrifice the honour and memory of my ancestors, and the truth about the War Between the States, on the leftist alter of political correctness. I have concluded that he has done this in order to be elected president. I would expect this from deceitful scalawags such as Bill Clinton and Al Gore, not from the son of President George H.W. Bush.

Mr. Johnson, I am a son of Texas who is very proud of his heritage. My father is a direct descendent of men who settled in Texas when she was still a republic and founded the cities of Jefferson and Marshall. My mother is a Bonham. Anyone who is familiar with Texas history, at least those who were educated prior to the implementation of the TAAS tests, knows of the exploits of James Butler Bonham, one of the heroes of the Alamo. I am a proud descendant of Confederate soldiers. Some came from Alabama, some from South Carolina, some from Texas. Some of these men were merchants, some were wealthy land-owners, some were dirt poor yeoman farmers. Some were young husbands and fathers who would never see their families again. Some were mere boys whose lives were forever changed by war. Some died on the battlefield, some were starved to death in federal prison camps, others survived the war but later died of their wounds. All fought for their homes, for their families, their country and their sacred honour.

Mr. Johnson, let me make this crystal clear for you and Governor Bush. I will not stand by and allow my heritage, the heritage of this great state and its people, be besmirched by

by race-baiting hate mongers on the left. My heritage will not be sacrificed by weak-kneed, spineless politicians who seek national office. To make it quite plain, Mr. Johnson, MY HERITAGE IS NOT FOR SALE!

Mr. Johnson, despite the many untruths spread by the NAACP and other leftist organizations that constantly attack the South and its symbols, the Confederate battle flag is not and never will be a symbol of racial hatred or slavery. On the contrary, this banner is a proud symbol to a majority of Southerners of our common heritage. It is a symbol of our region and our people, of all races. The battle flag symbolizes the sacrifices of brave men in battle, their valour and their honour, not the colour of their skin. It is the symbol of those who, to paraphrase General Robert E. Lee, fought to preserve the right of self-government, liberty and peace (September 9, 1861).

It cannot be denied that this proud standard has been used and abused by individuals and groups who seek to advance their own perverted views of an ideal society. It has, and still is, used by those who, for their own political, economic and social agendas, seek to divide the people of our region.

Too many people today seek to ban the Confederate battle flag because of its misuse by white supremacist groups, the modern Ku Klux Klan in particular. Those who study domestic terror organizations know that the Klan and their fellow travelers use a variety of powerful symbols. These include the United States flag, the Christian Cross and the Holy Bible, the inspired Word of our Lord God. However, these symbols are not disparaged because of this association. Is this because these symbols, unlike the Confederate battle flag, are revered throughout the United States while the battle flag is a uniquely Southern symbol?

Mr. Johnson, I ask you and the Governor to seriously contemplate these questions: What are the motives of those on the left who attack the symbols of the South? Is this an attempt to divert attention from such concrete issues as crime, poverty and education? Is this an attempt to fill the coiffeurs and rejuvenate a civil rights organization that has lost its moral compass? Is this an election year tactic of pandering to certain constituencies? Is this attack on the symbols of the South being carried out by those who are so consumed with hate and hypocrisy that they cannot abide by the principal of live and let live?

Is this just another attempt to erase a people's cultural identity?

Attacking a people, their culture and symbols is easy. It is called demagoguery. It is also called cowardice, hate, ignorance and scapegoating. Mr. Johnson, an action like this is typical of a left-wing elitist, not a moderate to conservative Republican, especially one who is attempting to follow in his father's footsteps into the White House. Addressing the real issues that affect our country takes moral courage, not election year posturing, race baiting and interest group pandering. Leave that to Al Gore and the Democrats.

It is time to put a stop to all of those who use their hatred of the South and its people as a means to further their nefarious political agendas. It is time for you to stand up to the racist demagogues on the left and proclaim that you will not allow them to divert attention from issues of substance to issues steeped in anti-Southern bigotry and bias.

Mr. Johnson, the sacrifice of Southern heritage and culture on the dual altars of political correctness and political ambition is no longer an option. It must be resisted by all people of principle and honour.

Finally, Mr. Johnson, let me point out a political reality. If the Governor is to win a majority (or a plurality if Pat Buchanan is successful) of electoral college votes, he must win in Texas and the rest of the South. However, we Southerners have a long memory and may not be so forgiving. We remember those who attack our ancestors’ honour. We remember those who defile our common heritage. We remember the politicians who, as a result of their own deficit of moral courage, become party to these attacks. Mr. Johnson, there are more voters in this region who feel strongly about their heritage and symbols than the anti-Southern vocal minority. We know that we can have a serious alternative contender for the presidency. Therefore, if Governor Bush wants to move from the State House to the White House, he might want to take this into serious consideration.

God Save the South,

Paul B. Woodard