"That in this free government all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations; while the destruction of the existing relations between the two races, as advocated by our sectional enemies, would bring inevitable calamities upon both and desolation upon the fifteen slave-holding states."

That’s part of the Texas Resolution of Secession from 1861.  It pretty much lays out the reason for secession by Texas, the right of one human being to own another.

On April 13 Brazoria County Commissioner’s Court seemed to forget this powerful statement when they once again passed a resolution recognizing April as “Confederate History and Heritage Month in the State of Texas”.

The first whereas of the resolution tells us that April is the month when “the Confederate States of America began and ended a four year struggle for states’ rights, individual freedom, and local government control…”

When George Wallace, Ovrille Faubus, Strom Thurmond, and Ronald Reagan pushed for “states’ rights” was there ever any doubt in the minds of both blacks and whites that the right being espoused was that of segregation?  It was, and in many cases still is, little more than a euphemism for racism and white supremacy.

While the resolution mentions the “morally abhorrent practice of slavery” it quickly shunts this brutal reality off to the side and tries to claim, “Politically correct revisionists would have Texas children believe that their Confederate ancestors fought for slavey when in fact most Texans joined the Confederate Armed forces to defend their homes, their families, and their proud heritage as Texans…” 

That statement by itself is revisionism worthy of our current State Board of Education.  So much for reading the actual Resolution of Secession.

The resolution also fails to address the very important fact that one of Texas’ founders, Sam Houston, resigned as Governor rather than sanction secession.  He turned down an offer from the United States for 50,000 troops to keep him in power.  So much for the threat to Texas

France abolished slavery in 1794, Great Britain in 1807, and Canada in 1834.  Mexico abolished slavery in the early 1830s an act many historians feel was one of the primary causes of the uprising of Texians against Mexico.

Jim Bowie and his brothers smuggled slaves into the United States from Texas.  Many of the founders of the Republic, including Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, owned slaves.

In 1860 the United States census showed around 421,000 people living in Texas.  182,000 were slaves.  “In 1860 almost 25% of all white families in Texas owned at least one slave.”

We were one of the last western nations to abolish slavery, but to our credit, we finally did.  The only problem is that while it was abolished in 1864, we didn’t see the true beginnings of equality until Brown vs Board of Education in 1954

While this resolution is hideously slanted, I don’t think that Commissioners Payne, Sebesta, Adams, and Rhodenbaugh have a racist bone in their bodies. They passed a horribly flawed resolution without realizing its impact on many of their constituents.

The best thing to do would simply repeal the resolution and let it die a merciful death.  Barring that, a change in wording would do – one that reflects the wording of the Resolution of Secession, Sam Houston’s resignation, and the fact that maintaining slavery was the motivating force behind the Confederacy

So Commissioners, it’s your turn.  If you think our neighbors aren’t noticing this resolution and others like it, take another look. 

“Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is being accused of historical revisionism after reinstating the state's controversial Confederate History Month and declaring that the event won't focus on slavery because the issue is not "significant" enough in Virginia.”

Do the right thing Commissioners.  Make a stand for all your constituents.

Sam Davis

That’s part of the Texas Resolution of Secession from 1861.  It pretty much lays out the reason for secession by Texas, the right of one human being to own another.

On April 13 Brazoria County Commissioner’s Court seemed to forget this powerful statement when they once again passed a resolution recognizing April as “Confederate History and Heritage Month in the State of Texas”.

The first whereas of the resolution tells us that April is the month when “the Confederate States of America began and ended a four year struggle for states’ rights, individual freedom, and local government control…”

When George Wallace, Ovrille Faubus, Strom Thurmond, and Ronald Reagan pushed for “states’ rights” was there ever any doubt in the minds of both blacks and whites that the right being espoused was that of segregation?  It was, and in many cases still is, little more than a euphemism for racism and white supremacy.

While the resolution mentions the “morally abhorrent practice of slavery” it quickly shunts this brutal reality off to the side and tries to claim, “Politically correct revisionists would have Texas children believe that their Confederate ancestors fought for slavey when in fact most Texans joined the Confederate Armed forces to defend their homes, their families, and their proud heritage as Texans…” 

That statement by itself is revisionism worthy of our current State Board of Education.  So much for reading the actual Resolution of Secession.

The resolution also fails to address the very important fact that one of Texas’ founders, Sam Houston, resigned as Governor rather than sanction secession.  He turned down an offer from the United States for 50,000 troops to keep him in power.  So much for the threat to Texas

France abolished slavery in 1794, Great Britain in 1807, and Canada in 1834.  Mexico abolished slavery in the early 1830s an act many historians feel was one of the primary causes of the uprising of Texians against Mexico.

Jim Bowie and his brothers smuggled slaves into the United States from Texas.  Many of the founders of the Republic, including Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, owned slaves.

In 1860 the United States census showed around 421,000 people living in Texas.  182,000 were slaves.  “In 1860 almost 25% of all white families in Texas owned at least one slave.”

We were one of the last western nations to abolish slavery, but to our credit, we finally did.  The only problem is that while it was abolished in 1864, we didn’t see the true beginnings of equality until Brown vs Board of Education in 1954

While this resolution is hideously slanted, I don’t think that Commissioners Payne, Sebesta, Adams, and Rhodenbaugh have a racist bone in their bodies. They passed a horribly flawed resolution without realizing its impact on many of their constituents.

The best thing to do would simply repeal the resolution and let it die a merciful death.  Barring that, a change in wording would do – one that reflects the wording of the Resolution of Secession, Sam Houston’s resignation, and the fact that maintaining slavery was the motivating force behind the Confederacy

So Commissioners, it’s your turn.  If you think our neighbors aren’t noticing this resolution and others like it, take another look. 

“Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is being accused of historical revisionism after reinstating the state's controversial Confederate History Month and declaring that the event won't focus on slavery because the issue is not "significant" enough in Virginia.”

Do the right thing Commissioners.  Make a stand for all your constituents.

Sam Davis