McBurney Recommendation: Statues of Revolutionary War Heroes Vandalized or Removed
I am sad to report that as part of the recent protests, at least a
statue of a Revolutionary War hero and a Revolutionary War memorial were
defaced and two (and possibly three) statues of Revolutionary War
heroes are or will be removed. Please see the following articles for
more information (thanks to Patrick Wamsley and Tim Duskin for these
links):
http://thebullelephant.com/historically-ignorant-blm-protesters-deface-statue-of-war-hero-who-helped-blacks/
https://rmx.news/article/article/rioters-attack-statue-of-polish-american-hero-tadeusz-ko-ciuszko-in-washington-dc-despite-his-efforts-to-free-slaves
http://ampoleagle.com/the-official-statement-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-kosciuszko-statue-i-p14478-129.htm
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/06/12/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-of-the-american-revolution-vandalized-in-philadelphias-washington-square/
Wilmington officials are removing two of the city’s most iconic statues –
of Declaration of Independence signer Caesar Rodney and explorer
Christopher Columbus . . . . Columbus came down on Friday morning . . . .
For nearly a century, the bronze Caesar Rodney statue has towered over a
square in the heart of downtown named for him. The piece, atop a
massive stone slab, depicts Rodney on a horse. It commemorates his
famous 80-mile ride to Philadelphia in 1776 to cast the deciding vote
for the Declaration of Independence on behalf of the 13 American
colonies breaking away from English rule. The removal of Rodney, who
owned slaves, will take place this weekend . . . .
https://townsquaredelaware.com/2020/06/12/city-of-wilmington-removes-christopher-columbus-statue-plans-to-remove-caesar-rodney-this-weekend/
ALBANY - Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan Thursday ordered the removal of the
Philip Schuyler statue from the front of City Hall. Schuyler, a major
general in the Revolutionary War, was "reportedly the largest owner of
enslaved people in Albany during his time," a release from the mayor's
office read . . . . The statue has stood in front of City Hall since
June 14, 1925 . . . .
https://dailygazette.com/article/2020/06/11/albany-mayor-orders-removal-of-philip-schuyler-statue-from-front-of-city-hall
Here is another one: https://www.komu.com/news/petition-to-remove-thomas-jefferson-statue-on-mu-quad-gaining-traction?fbclid=IwAR3m_XJfMlWz8SPRLy2Ct7BzT-cOZBzdESwiDa8vAgy_CbE2H_72O9tStQM
I am saddened but not overly concerned about the vandalism to the
Kosciuszko statue and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. That was done in a
heat of passion and by persons most likely not well versed in American
history and not part of any organized effort. Still, wanton vandalism
is a crime.
I am more concerned about the decisions to remove statues of
Revolutionary War heroes on the sole ground that they once held slaves.
On this basis, the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial in
Washington, D.C. would need to be removed.
Regardless of your views of the removal of Confederate war hero statues,
the following is an accurate statement: the Confederates started the
Civil War primarily to maintain the institution of slavery, and the
placement of the statues in the last decades of the 19th century and
first decades of the 20th century had as a key goal the promotion of Jim
Crow laws in the South.
Of course, that is not the case at all with the American Revolution. To
the contrary, those who fought for independence from Great Britain also
fought to create a new country based on the liberty of the individual.
While it took more time and great pain to extend liberty fully to
African Americans, women and immigrants, the time did come and the
language of liberty started with the American Revolution. In addition,
the American Revolution turned out to be one of the key events in the
western world that accelerated the abolition of slavery and the end of
the African slave trade. By the early 1800s, every Northern state had
banned slavery or enacted gradual emancipation laws, and American
participation in the slave trade was formally prohibited in 1808. All
this was a direct consequence of the American Revolution.
On the other hand, I can appreciate that if a U.S. citizen is distressed
by the fact that a statue of a Revolutionary War hero is of a man who
once held enslaved persons, and has to be reminded of that every time he
or she passes the statue, that that is a difficult circumstance. Those
feelings cannot be ignored.
Still, I come out on the side that the cause of the American Revolution
was greater than any flaws of a particular man—flaws that we see from
the perspective of our modern viewpoint almost 250 years later.
For those who are deeply troubled by this development, as I am, I think
our best course is to stay quiet and under the radar. So far, national
news outlets are not focusing on this issue at it relates to the
Revolutionary War, and that is for the best.
Meanwhile, I am planning to publish a three-part series in the Journal of the American Revolution (www.allthingsliberty.com) on how the American Revolution’s ideas helped to limit the African slave trade. So please keep an eye out for that.
Best,
- Christian
christian.mcburney@arentfox.com
