“How can we let it stand?”

Dear Editor:

Maybe you’ve lived in Ellis County all your life, and maybe not. Maybe you already know about the statue sitting on the west lawn of the Ellis County Courthouse that honors Confederate soldiers. But maybe not. I’m hoping to change that because I think that statue must be removed from its location as soon as possible.

The monument stands 21 feet high and was erected in 1912 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It depicts a Confederate Private with the inscription “In honor of the dead and living of Ellis County who wore the gray.”

I have heard the argument that it is part of history and we should not erase that. I would argue that I don’t want to erase history, but only to put it in perspective and in context. “All history is instructive, but not all history is worthy of honor.”

History teaches us that Texas joined the Confederacy to preserve what they perceived was their right to continue the shameful practice of slavery. We must stop denying this historical truth. By allowing this statue to stand we are denying what the Confederacy stood for, not preserving its history. For too long this statue has been standing in front of the courthouse – a building where every citizen should expect equal justice. How can we let it stand?

History teaches us the Confederacy seceded from the Union to form a separate and independent country. C.S.A. soldiers fought and killed soldiers of the U.S.A. Yet we allow this statue that honors a wartime enemy of the United States to exist on the lawn of the County Courthouse – a building that upholds the laws of the United States. How can we let it stand?

We cannot let it stand! This statue is counter to the integrity, decency and justice that Ellis County should strive for. I ask you to contact your County Commissioner now and demand that this statue be removed. Connie Grube

Ovilla, Texas