Simple gestures, such as laying flowers at the foot of a shrine, lets the world know that there are some who still care for the people these monuments depict and recall. As you’re doing so, remember to say a prayer for the dead and for this fallen world around you.
We cannot let our heroes go unreverenced.
Southerners are, arguably, the most creative of all peoples on the North American continent. We have a love for history and tradition which carries down through the ages like the blood which passes through our veins. It permeates and pulsates in the world around us, yet it is hard for one to put it to words when attempting. It has produced the wondrous and often weird works of Edgar Allen Poe and Flannery O’Connor, the high-minded, civilised solemnities of Augusta Evans Wilson, and the ponderous, poetic passages of Father Abram Ryan and James Ryder Randall. Even the pulp hero Conan the Barbarian finds his roots in the Texan Robert E. Howard.
Lately, however, the world seems to be lacking in Southern content when its need is most pressing. Every day we are inundated with cheap and glitzy Hollywood horrors – a cgi sheen disguising some monstrous and amoral message. Popular literature is largely a wasteland (with the exception of the good folks over at Shotwell Publishing), and it makes one wonder how the tastes of the public could have plummeted so dramatically in the past few decades. Where are the Southern artists and creators? It is they, not any political party, who will first shape the minds and souls of the new generations of the South. It is they who will be carried on in the minds of the people long after that same mind ceases to consider the political polemics in which we necessarily engage.
There are some, like Lewis Liberman at the Abbeville Blog, who recognise the problem and warn accordingly:
To be fair, modern Southerners have certainly made solid attempts to tell great stories about our heroes and history, whether through movies like Copperhead or Gods and Generals. But how such movies resonated with younger and more impressionable audiences might be debatable. Especially when compared with revisionist historical hits like 2012’s Django Unchained, which grossed over $425 million worldwide and featured the story of a man as he violently murdered his way across a predictably “evil” South. Meanwhile, Spielberg’s highly acclaimed Lincoln was much praised for it’s depiction of a “saintly” Abraham Lincoln reigning over nearly a million men, women and children dead – and was nominated for 12 Academy Awards. And while the 2012 flick Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter may not have been well-funded or carefully crafted propaganda of the prior two movies, it still grossed around $115 million domestically and worldwide, and was probably best known for a portrayal of Lincoln once again saving the blessed Union…except this time from a monstrous and blood-thirsty South.
And we wonder why some people are tearing down our veterans monuments, and ironically censoring the beautiful art it represents.
It seems we’ve ceded the favourable ground to the enemy and devoted much of our Southern content to cultivating questionable mudflaps. We need heroes and examples. We need stories.
One recent and ongoing attempt is from the creator ElectricDinosaur. This particular creator has made a Southern superhero, Rebel Yell, complete with a Confederate-flag costume. It’s a comic book aimed at Southerners. The creator attempted to get the project funded through the Kickstarter crowdfunding site, but was met with only ill-will. He relates an email he received from the Kickstarter “Integrity” Team banning his work:
The fact that they deride ElectricDinosaur for “fail[ing] to meet Kickstarter’s spirit of inclusivity” while banning him for merely showing a flag is both laughable and worrying. You can support ElectricDinosaur’s attempts to get the first issue printed by buying a copy at Freestartr.
There are creators out there. They just need our support. As Liberman concludes:
Hollywood and other leftists have the aesthetic, but their content is usually garbage. Anyone seeking to communicate truth to a large audience needs to have both. And there really is no excuse, because we have the truth – as well as a LOT of talented people in our community. Southern musicians, artists, graphic designers, videographers, photographers, sculptors, game developers, poets, entrepreneurs and more are all more than likely ready and able to help out in trying to find ways to strategize and effectively get what’s true and valuable into our communities, and maybe even the world. So let’s network, roll up our sleeves and get to work!
Perhaps no plot of soil and brick is more iconic to the War than that situated in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Ft Sumter, the guardian of the Carolinas, was a pivotal point of defense along the Atlantic coastline and instrumental to protecting the city of Charleston, one of the grandest ports in the Old South. The oft-repeated narrative of the war’s beginning would lead one to believe that the South had, without provocation, fired upon Ft Sumter and the Federal troops therein This would be a mistaken belief.
On the 9th of December, 1860, a delegation from South Carolina met with President Buchanan and secured an agreement from the Federal government not to reinforce the fort. On the 26th of December, the Federal Commander, Major Anderson, relocated his troops from the more disadvantaged Ft Moultrie and secreted them within the mighty Ft Sumter. On the 7th of January, by order of General Winfield Scott, the Federal Star of the West attempted the reinforcement of Ft Sumter with 200 artillerymen. The ship was turned back by a barrage of Carolinian artillery fire. The Federals, however, would not be deterred. Another proposal for reinforcing Ft Sumter was made, but President Buchanan wished to avoid war and smothered it.
With the election of Abraham Lincoln, a man who cooed like a dove but acted like the greatest of war hawks, plans for reinforcing the important fort were once again furthered. He refused to meet with President Jefferson Davis’ peace envoy, but chose the sword over words. On the 9th of March, Lincoln proffered again the reinforcement of FT Sumter. By the 6th of April a new plan was formulated and ordered – Ft Sumter, despite the expectations of the South to the contrary and the certain trouble which entail in committing such an act, would be reinforced. On the 9th of April, learning of something afoot, the Confederate government requested that Major Anderson turn over control of Ft Sumter to the South. Major Anderson agreed that he would do so on the 15th of that month. By the 11th, however, a small war-fleet appeared beyond Charleston’s bay with the intention of reinforcing Ft Sumter. On the 12th, facing both the fleet and the fort, P.G.T. Beauregard, commander of Charleston, alerted Ft Sumter that he would begin bombardment within the hour. The Grand Creole did so, and succeeded in taking the fort.
How are we to interpret Lincoln’s actions? One need look no further than his own words, in communication to the captain of the fleet that attempted the reinforcement of Ft Sumter. Dated the 1st of May, 1861, he says:
“You and I both anticipated that the cause of the country would be advanced by making the attempt to provision Fort-Sumpter, even if it should fail; and it is no small consolation now to feel that our anticipation is justified by the result. Very truly your friend A. LINCOLN”
Much more transpired which indicates the hawkish views of Lincoln. His reinforcement of Ft Pickens in Pensacola, another Ft Sumter of types, his call for troops to invade the Deep South States, and his refusal to entertain any talks of peace all point to his role not as a champion of the Americas, but its despoiler.
Confederate Flag near Mango, Florida
Today, the 2nd of April, is the day the Richmond was evacuated by the South after the strangulating siege of Petersburg. The second Capital of the Confederacy would never be reclaimed by the Southern armies. Likely, after such a loss, some doubted whether the Confederate flag would still fly across the beloved Southland, which had seen so much blood spilt out upon her in its defense.
There is a Confederate Flag still flying, however, far from Richmond and Virginia. If one has ever travelled south to Ft Meyers from Tallahassee, one has undoubtedly seen it – a little bit of defiance to the powers that be, a display of rebellion against the modern plague of cultural despoilers.
The little hopes are what makes a man in his lifetime. Far be it from him to believe himself planned for any great things – it is in the smallest of deeds where he makes his mark in the world. This flag which waves above all, and especially to those often stuck in Tampa traffic, serves as a reminder that this was and is the South. Richmond in our hands or not, she continues to exist.
Today, the 19th of January, is the birthday of the noble Son of the South, Robert Edward Lee. Born in 1807, Lee would prove in his lifetime to be one of the most capable commanders in military history. But he was not merely a man who mastered the machine of war – rather, he was also a father, a man of immense conviction and character, and a pious and long-suffering person. All of these traits serve as examples to the present, especially when contrasted to the navel-gazing and destructive attitudes of the current age. Lee was, and will remain, a man for all times. The present culture (or lack thereof) may deride him, but all may take solace in knowing that character is not negated by the fanciful and often fanatical attacks by his foes.
And while one should be rightly alarmed at the blatant anti-Southern sentiment which has gripped with hysteria both the new and aged institutions of North and South alike, one cannot allow the venomous hatred which impels these to act to overpower our own good sense. It is the love of the South, its heritage, and its heroes which will prevail. Hatred, without any sort of love to rest upon, will consume itself. Let us pray that we, like Lee, act when the time comes to act, but always bear love towards home and enemy host alike.
The Abbeville Institute (which does not have any affiliation with St Andrew’s News) is hosting a conference upon the implications of the attacks on Confederate monuments. While St Andrew’s News will likely not be in attendance, it is encouraged that any reader do so and support such a laudable institution. The location is in that “cultural crib” of the South, Charleston, South Carolina, on the 24th of February.
Events such as these are needed to re-enculturate Southerners and remind them of who they are and what they are presently losing. If any readers know of any other events, from demonstrations to educational talks, please contact St Andrew’s News so that we may relay the information.
Our Governor, Robert Bentley, has ordered the Confederate flag removed from the Capitol grounds. The man is an embarrassment and clearly does not represent the people of Alabama. Steps must be taken to ensure he is held accountable for this traitorous action and that the flags may be returned to their proper places.
Following the removal of the ‘SECEDE’ sign, St. Andrew’s News took the opportunity to visit Montgomery, our Capitol. Despite all the misfortune that has befallen it, it still remains a very handsome city, specifically in the downtown government and river districts. The Museum of Alabama, also known as the Archives, has many wonderful collections on display in a very grande building.
A pine tree ring, estimated to have lived from before the French Landing of AD 1702 until 1992.
A French (reproduction?) cannon c. 1710, with foot for scale.
More articles displayed from the early Spanish and French would have been appreciated, but limited space probably forbids.
A real treat- William Lowndes Yancey’s pistol, gloves, wallet, and sash displayed to the public. The museum did a fair job of having the fire-eater’s concerns represented.
The two sashes read: “The Union with the Constitution – not without,” and “We honor and love Hon. W. L. Yancey, the Defender of the South.”
A quote on Yankee “Reconstruction.” Of all the exhibits this seemed to be the shortest and least represented.
The pen was used by Governor Oates to sign the 1901 Alabama Constitution.
Alabamian “dough-boy” uniform during the Federal intervention in the Great War.
Alabamian Uniforms as Federal soldiers during the Second Great War.
The Bible used to swear in President Jefferson Davis and every Alabama Governor since.
Alabama flag which went to the moon.
A beautiful sculpture of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, by G. Moretti. Finished in 1904. Alabama marble.
Interestingly, a Saint regularly visited St. John the Baptist.
Built in 1913.
Just a short walk from the Archives is a beautiful Spanish-styled parish, St. John the Baptist. Unfortunately the building was locked, so we could not go in to pray.
Next stop was the Old Capitol Building.
The spot where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as President of the Confederate States of America.
Looking out from the spot.
The Capitol Dome-very reminiscent of the Cupola of St. Peter’s.
President Jefferson Davis before the Capitol Building.
Confederate monument on the North side of the Capitol Building.
Anyone denigrating our people should visit the Capitol and see firsthand the history, culture, and civilisation our forefathers have built.
