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Article Last Updated and Edited on 28 January 2008

The purpose for writing this article to begin with was a response of sorts to the constant attack on Southern symbols, especially the Confederate Battle flag. It is being removed from monuments, displays, and all kinds of public events. Most often, the reason behind the removal of the flag design, is because it represents hate, and/or is considered a racist symbol. The most common behind such comments, is because the flag has been used and is often associated with the beliefs, acts and deeds of the Ku Klux Klan, as well as other hate type groups. So, because such hate groups use the symbol, it is now a racist symbol of hate. So, what exactly is a racist symbol? What exactly is it that makes a symbol represent racism and hate?

It appears that in making this determination in these modern times, there is a definite double standard being applied, probably most often in ignorance, maybe sometimes blatantly. Of course my purpose here is centered around the one symbol, the Confederate Battle Flag design. What does it actually stand for? Where did it come from? Why has it now become a symbol of racism and hate to so many?

Many will say it is a symbol of racism, because it represents the South, who fought a war to preserve slavery, and slavery is racist, therefore their symbol is racist. Well, I won't spend any time proving this, since there is so much information out there that sets this record straight, but let me make a few statements:

• The "Civil War" was not started nor fought over slavery!

• The flag does not represent a "pro-slavery" position, but a pro-American, pro-Constitution position

• Slavery was legal in the US from 1776 to 1865, under the US flag...not the Battle flag

• The CSA Constitution made the slave trade illegal (in the South) before the war even started

• All slaves brought to America were done so by Northern ships, not Southern ones

So if the war was not fought over slavery, then the flag therefore cannot represent a racist agenda. On top of that, slavery was not limited to the black race, there were blacks, indians, and even whites who were slaves; so the claim of racism against any one people group (most commonly only the African Americans) is even more ridiculous.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SYMBOL

One of the most popular designs representing the olde South, this design is often misunderstood, misused, and frequently abused. The flag represents the lofty principles of personal freedom, states' rights and a small, constitutional government. The "X" design originates in the historical symbol for St. Andrew's Cross dating back to early Christian history. Andrew was one of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to tradition, was responsible for spreading the Christian faith throughout Greece and Asia Minor. In approximately 69 AD, when he was around 85 years old, he was put to death by the Romans for his fervent preaching and testimony of Christ. At his request, the cross he was pinned to was to be turned on it's side , as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

There are various legends about the moving of the remains of Andrew hundreds of years later. Due to this, Andrew became the patron saint of of Scotland, and the saltire became the symbol for their national flag. For hundred's of years thereafter, brave Scottish warriors fought and died under that noble banner.

Due to the various problems arising from the early Confederate flag designs when used on the battle field, the Confederate Battle Flag design was created, using the same "X" design of the Scottish flag. This seemed fitting, considering the majority of those who settled in the South came from Scottish descent originally. This cross symbol was brought over, and added to it, the American colors of Red, White and Blue, and the stars of the American Flag representing the number of states in the Confederacy. Under this Battle flag tens of thousands of brave southern soldiers spilled their blood and lives in battle in defense of their country and their freedom.

To this day, many still fly the flag as a testimonial to southern heroes who sought and died for their Constitution freedom, and it's provision for a small limited government. A government that was becoming more and more over powering and tyrannical. This flag stands for patriotism and a willingness to suffer and die in defense of the Southern principles (Constitutional and States' rights) and its then Christian culture.

WE DEMAND CONSISTENCY - NOT HYPOCRISY

Now, you take a symbol as beloved as that, one that both white and black southerners have loved for over a century after it's introduction, and it gets abused it for a relatively short period of time (a mere decade or two), and it all of a sudden no longer represents it's true meaning, but the meaning miraculously changes practically over night?! What it has meant for over a century is thrown out the window for what it has been used for over a few decades of time?

If we are going to base our views on what these symbols mean strictly by how they have been misused, then the opponents to the Confederate Battle flag have been barking up the wrong tree. This symbol has supposedly become a symbol of hate and racism, mainly due to it being adopted by the modern day Ku Klux Klan and others "racist" and "hate" type groups. The odd and inconsistent thing is, that of all the symbols these type groups have used, the only one we see under attack is this Confederate flag. Why is this?

The USA flag (Union flag), the glorious stars and stripes flown everywhere to this day, has been the very symbol used in more atrocities, than ever to this date the Confederate Battle flag has. However, we can thank the modern liberal views of Hollywood and TV for the fact that we have forgotten the not-too-distant past in this regard.

Would it surprise you to find out, that up until sometime in the 1960's, the US Stars and Stripes alone was the dominant flag proudly displayed by the Ku Klux Klan. To this day, the various branches of the fragments KKK group still proudly display and fly the US flag as their symbol. You will notice in the photo section below, that even in the more modern dated photos, and even to this day, the KKK still carry the US flag, sometimes in addition to the Confederate Battle Flag, but often times they still exclusively use only the US Flag. I was told via email to a KKK web contact that the group began flying the Confederate Flag during the civil rights movement, due to the fact that they felt they had been betrayed by the USA Government, and that some groups still fly the US flag upside down in protest.

Many try to say the Confederate Battle flag made a huge public resurgence in the 1960's due only to protests to the civil rights movement. While it is true that some groups like the Klan began using it during the period of the late 1960's and early 1970's, what their hate has blinded them from, is realizing the fact that there was a larger resurgence in it's use in 1961-1965 due to it being the centennial celebration of the the War of Northern Aggression.

My main question here is: If the Union flag was used from the earliest days of the KKK (later 1800's) until they started adding in the use of the Confederate flag in the 1960's, then why is the flag they have used for only 30+ years, become the only one in dispute and so hated, and not the US flag which they have used for three times longer, and still use to this day? Also, since historically, the KKK was much more violent in the early to mid 1900's than they have been in the last few decades (becoming in most places more of just a "white only" club...with less violent acts...generally), and since obviously more atrocities occurring under their use of the Union banner...why the focus on the Confederate Battle flag so much? For the sake of being consistent, when are we...in the name of peace and race relations ... going to remove all the Union flags that the Klan has committed many more atrocities under over the years? If the Klan's use of the Confederate Battle flag makes it then a symbol of hate and racism, then their use of the US flag must mean the exact same thing. You can't have it one way and not the other. Consistency, not hypocrisy please.

THE STARS AND STRIPES: A SYMBOL OF HATE

Another point about the Union flag: American slavery was originated, promoted, enforced, and traded under the Union flag. That being the case, why is only the Confederate Battle flag design condemned for slavery (most do not realize the South never sent a single ship from it's docks in the slave trade...all slave trading by American ships, came from northern ports). Also considering that slavery was still taking place in the North DURING the war of northern aggression (Grant's family owned slaves during the war...Lee's did not!), then why is the Union flag not attacked even more?

Was it not the Union flag that flew over each and every violation and treaty made between our government and the Indians? Was it not the US flag that flew over each and every household in both the North and South during slavery before the war ... before there was even a Confederate Battle flag? Was it not this same US flag that flew over the house of the many Negro who themselves owned slaves, both black and Indian, in both North and South? If you want a flag that represents slavery to a larger degree ... covering a larger period of American history...go after the US Star and Stripes.

If one wishes to attack the Confederate Battle flag, based on the idea that it represented the Southern States, which fought a bloody war to preserve the institution of slavery...then they are wallowing in ignorance over the very meaning and overall concern of the war. Until they learn the truth behind the Confederate Flag and the War itself, they will continue to harbor hate and anger toward the South ... making them to be the cause of most of the divisiveness and hate crimes. Might I suggest a bit more study to overcome this ridiculous notion, by visiting the other related reading material in the CSANet or the wealth of material you can purchase from Apologia Book Shoppe.

ATTACK ALL SYMBOLS

Another symbol used by such groups as the Klan, is the Christian Cross. They carry it, they "light" it by igniting it on fire. So when are the opponents to the Confederate flag going to begin a concentrated effort to remove these "evil" symbols of slavery and hate from the steeple of their very own churches? In the name of consistency, they have to, or their views are nothing less than hypocritical.

THE KLAN: A VERY BRIEF HISTORY

The original Klan, as a single united group, existed from shortly after the war, till it was officially ended in 1877. While today's modern Klan groups are fighting for a goal that is a far cry from what the original Klan fought for, I believe if you have a better understanding of exactly what was going on during Reconstruction, that just about any race of man today, if put in their shoes, would have joined such a group. They had a purpose, and they came out to fight for it. Once their job was done, they closed shop. The Klan today have no such purpose as they did (at least not one that is so obviously abusive), and their actions today have different intents and outcomes.

Try to imagine yourself in the late 1860's, after the war, living in the South. The Yankees have invaded, and had went across the land stealing and destroying just about all of your family belongings, digging up graves for treasure items, jewelry, etc. Many of these ruthless Yankees have raped and killed your wives, your daughters, and slaves. They have poured oil all over your fields, so you will have no crops for many years. They have stolen every sign of food to be seen around. They have stolen everything dear to you, burned down your house, and have left you out on the street in the middle of winter. You must now return to try to get back to life.

If that was not bad enough, you now find that all sense of State government that you are used to, has been destroyed and replaced by armed soldiers in and around your neighborhoods, in your homes, strictly enforcing their views upon you. They come and go as they please, continuing the abuse of you and your family, continuing the abuse of your wife and daughters. They will not allow any white southerner to vote for anything. All voting is granted only to the un-educated former slaves who they have forced to now make it on their own, and they are only allowed to vote if they vote for the party in charge; otherwise they are cut off. An example to be made, is that of a banner displayed in Georgia voting booths during the 1868 presidential campaign, that states "Every man [Negro] that didn't vote the Radical [Republican] ticket, this is the way we want to serve him: hang him by the neck." If they refuse, of course they are abused and even killed. So in essence, the voting process is just game playing, as you have no choice.

On top of all of this, you have scalawags and carpetbaggers coming down and holding secret meeting, teaching the ex-slaves how to best go back now and take vengeance on their former masters. They are armed and taught how to kill, rape and destroy, and then sent out in the night to do so. On top of the Yankee atrocities already having taken place, you now have this rebellion going on behind the scenes. Masses of former slaves are going about raping, killing, burning, and destroying just about anything they can find; so the torture continues well after the war.

As mentioned above, flooding into the South, came Northern troops and men with hostile ideas. They brought heavy taxation and more abuse. Along with them, came the Union League - supported by a new militia of ex-black Union soldiers. They moved right into the plantations, cities, towns and villages, looking for the ex-slaves. The illiterate, simple minded freedman became easy prey for their political agenda. Hate the whites, hate your masters, and vote for us. We will divide the spoils of the South with you. The Union League and militia constantly insulted the whites, in front of the ex-slaves, giving them the illusion that they had great power and superiority. By telling them they would soon acquire the land of their former masters, these newly freed blacks had false expectations and were furnished with a disincentive to work.

Secret clubs were established with the intent of raising the ex-slaves into political power over the Southern Whites. It soon became almost "anything-goes," with the ex-slaves abusing and threatening whites at every turn, causing the beaten down Southern whites to live in much fear. The Union League, militia and ex-slaves patrolled all the streets, harassing and threatening everyone, especially all the wives and daughters of the towns.

In the beginning, the Klan was organized by a small group of men, to have fun, and provide some "comic relief" for a beaten down people.

On December 24, 1865, at Pulaski, Tennessee, during a meeting in a small law office, Captain John C. Lester said "Boys, let's start something to break this monotony, and to cheer up our mothers and the girls. Let's start a club of some kind." ("Authentic History of the Ku Klux Klan" 6)

During the evening the organization was perfected. Captain John B. Kennedy, on the committee to select a name mentioned one which he had considered, "Kukloi," from the Greek word "Kuklos," meaning a band or circle. James R. Crowe said, "Call is Ku Klux," and no one will know what it means. John C. Lester said: "Add Klan as we are all Scotch-Irish descent."

He then repeated the words: "Ku Klux Klan," the first time these words ever fell from human tongue. The weirdness of the alliteration appealed to the mysterious with them; so the name was adopted with a feeling that they had chosen something which would excite the curiosity of their friends and carry out their idea of amusement, which most unexpectedly to them, proved a boon to Pulaski and the South.

James C. Crowe suggested to make it more mysterious, that a costume be adopted. They then made a raid upon Mrs. Martin's linen closet and robed themselves with boyish glee in her stiff linen sheets and pillow cases, as masquerading was a popular form of entertainment in those days. Wishing to make an impression they borrowed some horses from a near-by stable and disguised them with sheets.

They then mounted and rode through the darkness, calling at the homes of their mothers and sweethearts, without speaking a word. They rode slowly through the streets of Pulaski waving to the people and making grotesque gestures, which created merriment to the unsuperstitious, and to the superstitious, great fear. ("Authentic History of the Ku Klux Klan" 7-8)

The spirits of the people were much beaten down after the war and especially during the Reconstruction, and it was a very sad state of affairs. Theses ex-soldiers made home-made costumes and rode through town like clowns, making faces, acting silly, etc. However, they noticed that many ex-slaves saw these strange horseman and thought they were the ghosts of Confederate dead. This caused many a rebellious ex-slave to cease their activities of destruction and lawlessness,and return to seeking gainful employment.

Charles Francis Adams, the grandson of John Quincy Adams, stated:

I have ever been one of those who have thought extremely severe measures were dealt the Southern people after the Civil War, measures of unprecedented severity. The Southern community was not only desolated during the war, but $3,000,000,000 of property confiscated after the war. I am not aware that history records a similar act super-added to the destruction and desolation of war.

Their manumitted slaves belonging to an inferior and alien race, were enfranchised and put in control of the whole administration. Is there a similar case recorded in history? If so I have never heard of it. It was simply a case of insane procedure, and naturally resulted in disaster. We stabbed the South to the quick, and during all the years of Reconstruction turned the dagger round and round in the festering wound. If the South had been permitted to leave, slavery would have died a natural death. ("Truths of History" 90)

In the face of the overwhelming abuse and oppression placed upon them, it is no hard thing to understand how this soon became a tool to be used attempt to restore order and balance as was once in place. Thus the Ku Klux Klan turned into a militant, guerilla order group, with a purpose to preserve white rule in the South, and to protect themselves from militant ex-slaves who sought revenge at any cost.

The Klan soon developed a system that allowed them to monitor these secret meetings and rallies that the carpet baggers and Union League soldiers were holding with the ex-slaves. The Klan would rally their men, in costume, and ride through, breaking up these meetings that sought to teach and incite rebellion and destruction. They, in a sense, became a form of the law, since rarely was a crime against a white punished under this new regime. When men of any color were caught destroying, raping, or any other crime, they were dealt with by the group. It was not as if the Klan simply rode around town looking for any and every black man to lynch or kill, it was seeking the rebellious, destructive ones, and restoring order to the lawlessness whenever possible.

The Ku Klux were opposed to the shedding of human blood, and violence was never used except as a last resort. Repeated warnings were given to offenders, and it was only when they were not heeded that the Ku Klux resorted to extreme measures.

The methods of the Ku Klux Klan were generally peaceful and without destruction of life and property, and when its objects had been accomplished there was no more persecution, nor pillaging, nor hounding of any one — and when tranquility was restored to the land, the Ku Klux folded their tents like the Arabs, and as silently stole away. (Quoted from "History of the Ku Klux Klan" by Mrs. Rose in "Truths of History" 91)

In "Secret Political Societies in the South During the Period of Reconstruction," Walter Henry Cook of Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, wrote:

The Ku Klux accomplished much. From a political viewpoint it secured home rule for several of the Southern States; it ended the disgraceful rule of the carpetbaggers therein; and it helped to re-establish honest and efficient governmental institutions. This example was an inspiration which after 1872 soon led the men of the Southern States still in Radical control to a glorious victory in regaining self-government. From an economic standpoint, the negroes had been frightened into going to work, and were prevented to a large extent, from breaking labor contracts. These were important services in the rehabilitation of the South. From a social standpoint the Klan had protected property, had protected life, and had brought order out of chaos. ("Truths of History" 91)

Given the circumstances and abuse that came down on the Southern Whites at the hand of Northerners and blacks after the war, you will hopefully understand the meaning of the olde South when they referred to "white supremacy." They sought to preserve their culture and land. It did not necessarily have reference to a hatred of blacks by the whites, but simply the restoration or order as it was, with the whites regaining the political power, as they once had, in maintaining the peace in the political realm. You have to stop thinking like a 21st Century person, and remember that back then, the negro race was not as educated as today. They were not always as fit for political leadership, etc. as the educated European white race had been for centuries. This view of white supremacy was strongly held in both regions, North and South, so it was not a "Southern thang." I believe that any race, put into the shoes of the white men after the war, would cry for supremacy of their race, and most likely seek to protect their homes, families and land in a similar manner as the Klan did.

In speaking of happenings in the new political scene during the Reconstruction period, Walter Henry Cook states:

Governor Waymouth of Louisiana accumulated one and a half million in four years on a salary of 8,000 a year. Governor Moses of South Carolina acknowledged that he had accepted $65,000 in bribes. Governor Clayton of Arkansas said he to people the State with negroes. The carpetbag government of Florida stole meat and flour given for helpless women and children. In North Carolina and Alabama negro convicts were made justices of the peace, men who were unable to read or write. In the South Carolina Legislature 94 black men were members. The Speaker of the House, the Clerk of the House, the doorkeeper, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, the the Chaplain, were all black men and some of them could neither read nor write. ("Truths of History" 89)

HOW WOULD YOU REACT?

A fair, but week example that you might conjure up to put yourself in a mind-set of this abuse, is to envision yourself in the plot of the movies "Braveheart" and/or "The Patriot." These two Mel Gibson files can give you a slight understanding of how it was at the time. In Braveheart, you have the tyrannical soldiers monitoring, abusing and harassing the Scots. Forcing the newly married women to sleep with their leaders first, raping others, and killing anyone that sought to rebel against them. The abuse and oppression was horrible, as you could hopefully gather from the movie. In The Patriot, you have the English soldiers destroying the homes of anyone helping the American soldiers, stealing what they want, killing who they want, burning houses when they want, and other acts of just basic and total lawlessness.

Put yourself in the place of Mel Gibson's characters in both of these films, and imagine how you might react when pushed far enough. Would you have just remained passive, and let it all crumble around you, or would you have acted as he did, and fight back against the lawlessness? This may give you a sense of why the Klan was formed during Reconstruction. In The Patriot, it was the forming of the militia; in Braveheart, it was Wallace's troops; in the South it was the Klan. All groups fighting for liberty against a tyrannical, overpowering force.

WHAT ABOUT TODAY

Now, in straying from the intent of this article's intent, let us briefly consider where we are today, as compared to the past few centuries.

We today are more subtly oppressed by our federal government, in such a way, taking almost unnoticeable encroaching steps forward, that we are made to feel we still have as much freedom and liberty as our founders had bestowed to us. Today's government has successfully made guns a fearful taboo in the eyes of modern American's, removing them from the hands of most sane citizen's, and creating such stringent intrusive laws against getting them, that the common man no longer has a way of protecting himself or family would the need arise. Could a militia like in the days of The Patriot be put together, given most citizens don't even own guns? And due to dumbing down education of the indoctrination camps we call state run public schools, the inward fight for truth and liberty that we find in both of these Mel Gibson characters, is all but flushed from the souls of the American people. This along with the overwhelming amount of America's citizen's held captive in the government funded systems of social security, welfare, etc., most would do nothing to jeopardize their hand-outs. So, this government's regime have successfully created a society of spineless, unarmed, dependant slaves, that just go along with whatever they are fed from their leaders.

Most are too fearful to even whisper a derogatory word against those in places of authority, as they are constantly reminded in the media, of the power that will come against them if they do. It is truly a sad state of affairs today if you compare this nation to what it had two centuries ago (or even one and a half centuries ago). My wish is that many more will study these issues on their own and see how much they have been indoctrinated in false lies of history.

Saying all of this, I wish to place a strong emphasis on the differences between such a group as the first Klan of the 1860-70's, and that of the second Klan of the 1900's to present. The agenda is radically different, the urgency and necessity is absent, and the justification for the actions is weak. I make no claim to defend the modern Klan at all, but I feel that much of what was happening during Reconstruction more than justifies such militia style groups and activities that came about during the time. Obviously not every action can be deemed acceptable, but the overall purpose and results of the group, in my opinion, can be seen as necessary, as much as I feel it was in both the afore mentioned movies.

And again, for clarifications sake, I am in now way involved in, a defender of, or a supporters in anyway, of any branch of the Ku Klux Klan, or other active militia, violent or "hate" group. I just present this brief writing in hopes of encouraging further study into the history of this time period, as well as cause you to look at the whole anti-confederate flag stance in a different mind-set and with more consistency of thought.

"I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."
Abraham Lincoln - First Inaugural Address - March 4, 1861

"If I thought this war was to abolish slavery, I would resign my commission and offer my sword to the other side"
General U.S. Grant, 1862

A wealth of information on the truths often forgotten and/or distorted by opponents to the flag these days, can be found through Apologia Book Shoppe. Do yourself a favor, and study the issues through the many educational books and tapes offered. If you already know the truth, buy an item for a friend who doesn't. Share the truth!

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Works Cited:

Davis, Susan Lawrence. The Authentic History of the Ku Klux Klan. New York: American Library Service, 1924.

Rutherford, Mildred Lewis. Truths of History. 1920.