The Confederate battle flag and the U.S. Civil War battle flag fly side by side over a monument installed in the ground at the newly renovated historic Ringgold Depot.
Posted on 02/17/2005 7:20:55 AM PST by stainlessbanner
A crowd packed Ringgold City Hall on Feb. 14 to present impassioned arguments for and against the flying of the Con-federate battle flag at the historic Ringgold Depot.
During renovations last year at the historic structure three flags were hoisted over the building — the Confederate battle flag, the current United States flag, and the U.S. flag of 1863.
Lifelong Ringgold resident Paul Croft said the Confederate banner symbolizes hate and fear for him.
Croft said the battle flag evokes memories of his childhood when his mother warned him to hide from the KKK, and he would peek out the window and watch them go by his house.
“We’re not saying get rid of the flag or hide the flag,” he said.
Citing Isaiah 1:18 from the Bible, Croft proposed a com-promise by displaying the flag inside the Depot as part of its museum rather than flying it outside.
Councilman G. Larry Black proposed another alternative. Noting that many people consider the banner a symbol of hate, Black made a motion to take down the battle flag and instead fly the original Confederate flag, similar to the current Georgia state flag. Councilman J.B. Petty seconded the motion, but the council voted the measure down with Black its only supporter.
After the meeting, Black said he does not want to offend anybody and was elected to represent all the citizens of Ringgold.
“We don’t need to be arguing about this,” he said. “I regret the city putting it up there.”
Though unsure what alternatives are available that will please both sides of the issue, Black said, “If I get the opportunity to vote to take it down, I will vote to take it down.”
David Terry, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, extended an invitation to those opposed to the flying of the Confederate battle flag to attend the group’s next meet-ing. He said through education both sides can come to a better understanding of the other.
“We stand against hate groups,” he said, claiming the flag is wrongly the focus of opposition to such groups.
“I know the flag becomes a target of the hate,” Terry said, “but we don’t like the flag being used by the hate groups, and we are as offended by their use of our flag as the African American community.”
Council member Martha Denton said she does not want the Confederate banner taken down and has received only positive comments about its display.
“It is beautiful,” she said.
Councilmen O.C. Adcock and Bill McMillon said they do not consider the flag a symbol of hatred, but conceded that more discussion is needed.
Petty said whatever measure the majority of the council votes for he will support. But he said he believes the flag should come down because of the feelings it causes in some.
“You have to draw the line and do what you think is best in your heart,” he said. “It’s a serious thing.”
Marshall Lumpkin, also a lifelong Ringgold resident, said he understands how “the flag is history for some people.” But it does not belong on public display, flown outside the Ringgold Depot, Lumpkin said.
Harry Reeves, pastor of Mt. Peria Missionary Baptist Church, said not everybody in the community is happy with the flag flying, and opposition is taking a holistic approach to the issue.
Ringgold resident Julie Wolff said the flag is not a race issue but a heritage and history issue.
“Yes, it may have been used as a symbol of hate by some redneck idiots but that is not its intent at the Depot,” she said. “My son should be able to know history as it was, not as how an older generation has formed it.”
Mayor Joe Barger said for him the issue is also one of heritage. He said his grandfather served in the Civil War on the side of the South, and he does not want the flag re-moved.
After nearly an hour of discussion the council agreed to postpone voting on the issue, pending further consideration and discussion.
The Confederate battle flag and the U.S. Civil War battle flag fly side by side over a monument installed in the ground at the newly renovated historic Ringgold Depot.
Mr. Croft forgot a few Bible verses:
Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles.
--Isaiah 13:2"The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family."
--Numbers 2:2We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.
--Psalm 20:5
herewegoagain
The next recorded organization of negroes, especially as Rebel soldiers, was at Mobile, toward Autumn; and two or three months later, the following telegram was flashed over the length and breadth of the rejoicing Confederacy:
“New Orleans, Nov. 23, 1861. “Over 28,000 troops were reviewed today by Gov. Moore, Maj. Gen. Lowell, and Brig.-Gen. Ruggles. The line was over seven miles long. One regiment comprised 1,400 free colored men.”
"many people consider the banner a symbol of hate"
Many people are also ignorant.
If these people would read the History of the Flag they might realize it had nothing to do with the Confederacy.It was our Battle Flag,and that's all.The colors were easy to see thru the black powder smoke.I'll fly mine if the time comes.Otherwise the 1st National does me fine....No need to argue with a rock,,,seems as though some people are afraid to know the truth...Could the South,possibly have been Right?
Does that include those citizens who would be offended if the flag is taken down?
Zat you, Howard Dean?
I am proud to from the South and I proud of my forefathers who served in the CSA in both the Army of Tennessee and the Army of North Carolina. I am deeply offended when I see klansmen, particularly Yankee klansmen, fly what is called the battle flag of the CSA. I am also deeply offended when I am told to discount my history and family heritage as a way to rewrite history.
All of that said, I recall the words of one of my fraternity brothers when he wrote, "the flag is a symbol of open rebellion against the United States of America. The war is over and if we are to have one nation we must furl our flags and store them in a place of honor."
"It was our battle flag"
That flag symbolizes rebellion. Nice, don't you think?
The KKK co-opted the battle flag in the same manner they co-opted the United States flag. Why would one flag symbolize hate and fear and the other one doesn't.
In fact the US flag is the only flag the KKK is required to use. Mr. Croft needs to brush up on his history.
"That flag symbolizes rebellion. Nice, don't you think?"
So by your logic, our American flag symbolizes rebellion also - just against Britain.
I guess in that case it's a "revolution" though -- because it succeeded, right?
Let's make sure we're looking at things through eyes of the same color, folks.
"Most of us are voting for "hate.""
I find that attitude, in itself, hateful. You presume to read people's hearts? Possibly you should look into your own. I am American and Southern. The U.S. flag is a symbol of my American heritage and the CBF is a symbol of my Southern heritage. Nothing less and nothing more.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Recall seeing a photo of a black Son of the South carrying
the Stars and Bars. He said a lot of folk couldn't understand why he marched with that flag. He said it was the
flag his ancestors had fought under. On that day -when
Democrats were insisting it was a banner of Hate. (and Robert Byrd stayed silent) I sewed the stars and bars on my jean jacket. And I defy any ignorant SOB to prove I
am spreading HATE.The only folk I Hate are those who HATE
God -and those I dislike are those who would keep the South
in beggars cloths-treating them as if they were NOT American
Amen StonyBurk. BTW, Not that it matters much but I was taught that the battle flag was called 'The Southern Cross' and that the 1st National was 'The Stars and Bars'.
the damnyankees & the IGNORANT dupes, who believe their LIES, ride again!
stupidity about our bloodspattered CSA battleflag is EVERYWHERE.
free dixie,sw
No. By my logic the American flag (which I love) needs to see more of what the CBF symbolizes.
It has nothing to do with geographical locations or color. Just spirit.
paul croft should "get a life", imVho.
free dixie,sw
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