Arlington and the SPLC

Dear Director Yates,

I am writing to you regarding a letter you received from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Like many on the side of destroying the Confederate Memorial, they use dishonest tactics and dubious history to make their case. It begs the question, if the case for removal is so clear, why the need for these tactics? Here is a quote from the letter:

“In 1915, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy Hilary Herbert wrote that the purpose of Arlington Cemetery Confederate Memorial was to correct ‘lies’ told by popular anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and to memorialize slavery as part of a simpler, happier time.”

Please ask yourself why they did not quote Secretary Herbert directly. If he was as they describe, surely there is one quote that would prove it. Here are a few of the things that he did write in his History of the Confederate Memorial written in 1915. I chose these because they relate to the SPLC sentence above.

“One leading purpose of the U. D. C. is to correct history.”

This is not a new trick. Academics have been taking this quote out of context for the last year.

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin survives and is still manufacturing false ideas as to the South and slavery in the fifties.”

Herbert thought Uncle Tom’s Cabin contained a sensationalized and unfair portrayal of slavery. Whatever you may think of that claim, in the context of the early 20th century, it was not an outrageous position. It was a work of fiction after all.

I have read the history Herbert wrote and did a word search and I cannot find where he said anything like the Confederate Memorial was meant to “memorialize slavery as part of a simpler, happier time.” He did say this though.

“The stern arbiter that has decided vexed questions since nations began; that has settled every boundary between the nations in Europe — war — war that made independent States of thirteen British colonies, now settles forever the question of secession. Incidentally, thank God, slavery disappears.”

As well, Ezekiel was not memorializing slavery either. He was memorializing the South of the period which included slavery. Would it have been better if he showed no slaves?

The SPLC and others are applying the standards of today to the 1860s and the early 20th century. They twist some facts and ignore others. It is politics.

I have observed you several times on calls with the Advisory Committee on Arlington National Cemetery and I appreciate your professionalism and fairness in that forum. Please don’t be swayed by these political and emotional arguments. My father, Charlse S. Sapp, is buried at Arlington. I look forward to my next trip and hope the Confederate Memorial is still a part of our national cemetery.

Very Respectfully,

Garrick Sapp