Good Friday, around 2,000 years ago saw the political powers (church and state) fall to the voice of the mob which they had created to scourge, torture and crucify the Son of God. Should we not expect anything less in our own times?

But Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to kindle his followers and spread his Gospel across the world and conquered many with his truth. If the mob crucified Jesus, they will certainly attempt to crucify Robert E. Lee, Thomas Jackson and other patriots who simply wanted to follow the original tenants of the founding fathers and the constitution seeking separation (not rebellion) from a deep state Federal Government that fed on power, greed and bigotry against the South.

So what are we to do?

Maintain the truth without hate. Most of us are well versed in the history of the War of Northern Aggression and how the South fell to the combinations of superior resources and the designs of evil men. But the truth continues on despite the 150 years of propaganda and lies meant to distort and suppress it. It is our job to know the truth and proclaim it much as St. Paul did after the death of our Lord.

Dare to risk our reputations and persecution from the ignorant and blind. If the apostles had refused to testify, would the world ever know the Gospel Truth? We are in a war with powers that seek to claim lies as truth and suppress any light from the real truth. General Lee’s character is a worthy symbol of Christian manhood, and we must strive to live our lives as he lived his: quick to forgive, unbending in his principals and faith.

Resist violence and vengeance. “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” (Deut 35:32)
This war is not among individuals but is a much larger conflict between truth and light and lies and darkness. Personal vengeance against those caught in the passion of lies prolongs the evil and hate our enemies seek to let loose on the world. Think of those villainous men of history who used division and fear to try to achieve their objectives (Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot, Stalin, etc.). With struggle, the truth will prevail.

Do not underestimate the silent ones who are looking at us and our truth. Many people in our daily lives may not be willing to express themselves openly due to the inherent risks posed to their personal situations. But they will express themselves in the privacy of the voting booth as we have seen in the recent presidential campaign.

Monuments are made of marble and bronze and may eventually be destroyed or removed. It is our job to keep these monuments unstained or unvandalized in our hearts and to show them to others through our actions and testimony.

Race relations: Southerners both black and white have shared a common history. I think all of us acknowledge that human slavery is against God’s and the natural law. In the old South, the races were tied to the same economic necessities and intimately shared in their family lives and values. The children of the south were nourished and educated at an early age by the family, including by the family slaves. This other bond was not maintained by cruelty or force but by love, respect and cooperation. We must seek understanding, patience and charity in our relations with our black family members.

Charlie Williams is the adjutant of the Beaufort Plowboys Camp No. 2128, Sons of Confederate Veterans.