Confederate Soldiers' Funeral Debated

Associated Press ^ | 09/28/2003

[sheltonmac]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A proposal to have the bodies of eight Confederate sailors lie in state in the Capitol has drawn criticism from some who contend giving them the honor would be unfair and disrespectful.

The sailors' remains were recovered when the submarine H.L. Hunley was brought up in 2000 from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, where it sank shortly after downing the Union blockade ship Housatonic in 1864. The Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy ship during a war.

[wimpycat]

Be that as it may, neither you nor I live in South Carolina, and I think we may agree in principle that it's ultimately up to South Carolinians how to bury these sailors.

I'd be curious as to how they would go about a conducting a state funeral for Confederate sailors. After all, wouldn't the U.S. military necessarily be involved? They are in other state funerals. And you know when you take government money (as in a state funeral) you have to take their rules, too.

BTW, I have a cousin who is a Confederate re-enactor. He's been an extra in a couple of documentaries. He was born for that sort of thing.

[TexConfederate1861]

It means that by the decision, and at that time, negroes were considered property. So from that point of view, it means that the South was justified in fighting to keep that property, though a small part of the whole equation.

Personally, I believe that decision to be morally wrong, just as declaring secession null is also wrong.

[Colt .45]

" When you start honoring any other flag or political entity above the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA- you are teetering on disloyalty to the nation we all love. "

Under the provisions of the 1st Amendment, and remembering that these men fought for the Southern States Independence, I disagree!

As a veteran I feel that these men should be honored under the flag that they followed into battle! It does not mean that I love America any less, it means that they are being honored for their own beliefs. This PC crap must die!

[TexConfederate1861]

I would say that remark is out of line....

and shows your COMPLETE IGNORANCE!

[Colt .45]

" Kind of like being an Al Queda-American?"

That's probably the stupidest statement I've ever heard. If you had any knowledge of the Founding Fathers intent and how they felt about States Rights you wouldn't be saying this. Also because of this statement of yours, I highly doubt that you've ever served in the military. We who have, tend to honor fallen warriors ... NOT THEIR BELIEFS. You seem to overlook the obvious thing to any soldier/sailor - POLITICIANS SEND SOLDIERS OFF TO DIE, WHETHER OR NOT THAT PARTICULAR SOLDIER BELIEVES IN THEIR COUNTRY'S CAUSE OR NOT.

Do not belittle a soldier for doing their duty. I think Kipling said it best in his poem "TOMMY" -

"Making mock o uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms and they're starvation cheap."

Lastly, those Southern soldiers were Americans also, and it is sad that you are too small to realize that.