News, MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO DIG UP GRAVE OF CONFEDERATE GENERAL, SELL HIS STATUE (ancient, war)

[JD59]

On July 7 the Memphis City Council voted unanimously to exhume the body of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest from its 110 year resting place and move it to another location.

The body of Forrest’s wife will be exhumed as well.

Memphis to Exhume Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest

[Dd714]

The park used to be called "Nathan Bedford Forrest" park, which was ironic to have a park named after the KKK leader in a predominetly black city. Historically, Forrest was a complex character.
But my town Memphis has serious problems that need addressing (crime, government corruption, bad schools, drugs, inadequate public services, you name it) that go beyond issues such as confederate memorials.

[phetaroi]

NEWS!

This is now the third thread about this.

[P47P47]

Who's buried in Grant's Tomb?

[Retroit]

I suppose Washington, Jefferson, and all the other slaveowners will be next. It will be a shame to have to tear down the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. The White House will have to be torn down, too, since it was built with slave labor. I suppose we should also ban the American Flag since many slaves suffered under it. Not to mention the U.S. Constitution which allowed it. The possibilities are endless.

It should also be pointed out that at the start of the Civil War, slavery was legal. So basically they were fighting to defend the law.

[elias9193]

With the amount of money the city of Memphis is going to spend to do this history whitewashing. Imo they should take that same money and spend it on the poor people of Memphis who need it badly.

[chirack]

Originally Posted by Retroit

I suppose Washington, Jefferson, and all the other slaveowners will be next. It will be a shame to have to tear down the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. The White House will have to be torn down, too, since it was built with slave labor. I suppose we should also ban the American Flag since many slaves suffered under it. Not to mention the U.S. Constitution which allowed it. The possibilities are endless.

It should also be pointed out that at the start of the Civil War, slavery was legal. So basically they were fighting to defend the law.

Forrest also founded the KKK.

[MaryleeII]

I am a descendent of General Robert E Lee----guess I should keep that quiet?

[2nd trick op]

There simply is no comparison between the crimes of Nathan Bedford Forrest, (most notoriously, the Fort Pillow massacre of black Union troops -- which, ironically, has not been mentioned too often in the orgy of self-righteousness on display here) vs. the conduct of other Confederate generals. Unfortunately for all concerned, his defiance made him a hero in the eyes of vengeful Southeners. I can see an ugly parallel in the oversimplified zeal of many of the so-called "progressives" who peddle their self-righteousness at these forums.

Forrest paid a fairly severe price for his criimes; he died within twelve years ofthe end of the War and spent much of that time under Reconstruction authority -- to whom he was a pariah. The false lionization came later, with the aid of people whose views were as one sided as those of the Abolitionists who fed the flames of war, and had strong memories to feed their embitterment. The gloating here over a few sops thrown to the partisan "progressives" is doing little more than re-opening old wounds.

[texdav]

I have to wander if city council there has actual power to dig up and remove any body from a grave. Even to move one here other than limit at same cemetery it takes a court order. That even with a relative request isn't fast and takes a lot of time. I read of city councils voting a lot of thing but authority is often lacking and does do much for their reputation really. Sounds to me like what went on in ancient Egypt by rulers to past rulers; really. What next burn books about those we do not approve of in history by city council vote?