The debate in Kentucky continues whether to remove the statue of Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis from the Kentucky Capitol Rotunda.
Last week, Kentucky Governor Beshear issued a statement about the display.
“It’s time to reconsider the statues which represent Kentucky in our state capitol, as each statue has been in place for more than a half century.” Beshear said. “Per state law (KRS 11.026), the Historic Properties Advisory Commission determines what is displayed in the Rotunda, and I am requesting that they review these monuments in context of Kentucky's history.”
On Monday (June 29) the Historic Properties Advisory Commission added a comment section to its website to include a public comment form for anyone interested in providing input on all statues in the Capitol Rotunda regarding their historic, social and educational context, including the Jefferson Davis statue, officials said.
For Maysville Mayor David Cartmell, the issue is personal.
“My great-great-grandfather went to school at Transylvania with Jefferson Davis,” Cartmell said.”Regardless of his Civil War position, (Davis) was, at one time, also a Senator and Secretary of War for the United States, before becoming the President of the Confederate States of America.”
Having the two of them, Abraham Lincoln and Davis, across from each other in the Rotunda means something; it is a piece of our history, Cartmell said.
“It tells a lot about Kentucky history, especially that both the CSA and U.S. president were both from Kentucky,” he said. “My great-great-grandfather served in the Union army and my great-great-grandmother's family were rebels. I think the statue should remain where it is at with Lincoln. The statues inspire people to ask questions and learn about history.”
Debate over the correlation between the Confederate flag and images of the CSA president has the statue on the middle, officials said.
“Jefferson Davis’ statue is just a few steps away from the central Abraham Lincoln statue. While Davis’ likeness hasn't been used in the same way as the Confederate flag, a broader discussion of the statue's position in the Capitol is due,” Beshear said.
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell has publicly recommended placing the statue in a museum.
To comment to the commission about the statue go to historicproperties.ky.gov and click in the comment box on the right side of the page.
Comments will be taken until July 29 and a special meeting of the commission is scheduled for Aug. 5.
The Ledger Independent is online at: http://www.maysville-online.com