Thursday, June 1, 2017

Prattville Dragoons Commander's Column June 2017

"The Confederate Alt-Right" or "Is the SCV and the Charge Right or Wrong?"

Attended church service one recent Sunday morning and found the sermon interesting in light of the Southern Baptist Convention’s resolution condemning the Confederate Battle flag, as well as their proposed new resolution denouncing the “alt-right”.  While ignoring and bypassing any condemnation of far left hate groups like Black Lives Matter and the fascist antifa, the SBC PC crowd is proposing a new resolution criticizing the “Deplorables” who specifically take pride in their nation and its heritage and culture, seek to protect it from an invasion of illegal immigration and believe in traditional values.  One might contemplate whether our Confederate forebears would have been branded alt right constitutionalist racist Islamaphobic fundamentalist homophobes too.

So this sermon was interesting in posing the question, “How do I decide what’s right or wrong?” 1 Corinthians 10:14-33 was cited as reference scripture.  As Sons of Confederate Veterans who seek to carry forth the Charge and promote the true Cause for which our ancestors fought to preserve liberty and defend their homes and families.  The first question asked to determine this question as to whether a pursuit is right or wrong was, “Is it constructive?”  Certainly we would all defend the SCV as a worthwhile organization which seeks to defend the honorable names of our Confederate ancestors which has become increasingly challenging in the face of the attacks on our monuments and the truth of the Cause and our Southern heritage.  The Charge implores us to do so and outlines the imperative. 

Is this pursuit beneficial?  We have sought to make the SCV not only an educational institution thru workshops and conferences within our organization but in outreach to the public including living histories, classroom presentations and educational literature.  But we have expanded our vision to include cemetery care and guardianship, donations to historical organizations for artifact preservation and conveying the accurate telling of this important period in our nation’s history, as well as community service projects such as our camp food drives and kettle ringing. 

Is the SCV good for others?  Beyond the aforementioned charitable donations, awards are available for students providing scholarships and medical research fellowships.  But what is also a positive influence is when we have the opportunity to convey the truth of the Cause to those who would otherwise be ignorant of the virtues and principles which guided our Confederate ancestors and does so for us today.  The past two Cityfest events offer examples when black ladies happened by and stopped to look at our camp activities poster and the Division educational poster.  Both times these passers-by exclaimed that they had no idea we were involved in all our activities and, in regards to the latter, that there were black Confederates of renown, not to mention Confederate leaders who were truly heroic and virtuous, timeless examples for us still today.

Finally, is the SCV and our Charge glorifying?  The Bible teaches us to honor our parents and ancestors.  An historically important result of the War was the revival which transpired during and after the conflict when our grandfathers returned home to build a Bible Belt if no longer a Confederacy.  The chaplains in the Confederate army were instrumental in this transpiring and our SCV chaplains at the camp and Division and national levels are also, conveying to members the truth in scripture and the righteousness of the Cause and asking blessings on our efforts to advance the Charge and reach our neighbors and communities.  Our SCV Constitution provides for the establishment of the critical position of chaplain.  Our camp is blessed to have a chaplain so gifted in providing spiritual guidance and messages.  Our camp and the SCV has so many Godly men with whom we are fortunate to fellowship. 


Is participation in the Sons of Confederate Veterans right, a good pursuit?  It can be objectively shown that the SCV organization and our Dragoons Camp 1524 is without a doubt constructive, beneficial, good for others and, glorifying to God.  But, our Confederate ancestors would probably have been branded alt-right fundamentalist fascists, just listen to their words.  “We feel that our cause is just and holy; we protest solemnly in the face of mankind that we desire peace at any sacrifice save that of honour and independence.” President Jefferson Davis, C.S.A. – 29 April 1861  “All that the South has ever desired was that the Union as established by our forefathers should be preserved and that the government as originally organized should be administered in purity and truth.” General Robert E. Lee

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