Southern Cause Vindication [SCV]
Some of the resolutions passed by the North Carolina Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans [SCV] on July 19, 2003, [see NC Division Supports Dictatorial Practices of CIC Wilson] smack of a cult, racism and separatism. There was play on certain words designed to mislead, scare and appeal to one's prejudices.
The whole affair is a smoke screen to change the SCV into another organization with the same name but a different mission. All this is to be accomplished with minimal resistance or lack of awareness from the membership.
The Division voted unanimously to adopt a resolution that states as fact that the membership of the SCV is made up overwhelmingly by men who are CONFEDERATE SOUTHERN AMERICANS. They said Confederate Southern Americans are entitled under the laws of local, state and federal governments, to certain rights that must be recognized.
This is the old argument of the WHITE RIGHTS movement. They have argued that the minorities of this country do not have equal rights but "SPECIAL" rights that white people do not have. They are aiming for a protected class; something they have condemned as wrong and discriminatory in the past.
An ethnic group such as Southern is too vague. You will get into such things as culture, life style and attitude as well as geography. A question to ask: Could Northerners and Westerners do the same? Some people describe Southerners as exclusively white people. I have heard SCV members make remarks about black people calling themselves African Americans and now they want to be called Confederate Southern Americans.
The people who were Confederates are all dead. The people who call themselves Confederates, today, may be descendents of Confederates but they are legally Americans. Are there black people who are descended from Confederates?
Cults are established by first creating an atmosphere of "THEM" and "US". The second step is to play on the fear that "THEM" will harm you, take something from you, or get something for which they are not entitled. The third step is to convince "US" that you, alone, among all of "US", have the answer or solution or know the way to salvation. The fourth step is to keep "US" isolated. If "US" cannot be isolated, control his thinking by lies, half-truths, control of information, fear, etc.
There was a vote on the way CIC Ron Wilson dealt with the Save the SCV group. In his report, Dr. Boyd Cathey, NC Division, Chief of staff, used the term "treasonable attacks on the SCV". Treason is crimes committed against ones own government. Patriotic feelings run high in the SCV. Treason is about the worst crime that can be committed. Here, one degrades the SSCV by equating their DISAGREEMENT with the SCV leadership as TREASON. The last time I checked the SCV was not the government of a country; it is a fraternal, non-political, non-religious, non-racial organization as stated in its constitution.
The Division voted to adopt the original charge of Stephen D Lee. Those who have read this charge would agree with it. It is just that, A CHARGE.
THE CHARGE
To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we submit the vindication of the cause for which we fought; to your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier’s good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principals he loved and which made him glorious and which you also cherish.
Remember it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations.
A charge is a mission statement. It is not part of the Constitution of the SCV. Any charge must stay within the guidelines of the Constitution if it is to be carried out. The elevation of this charge is intended to undermine the SCV Constitution. Lee’s charge has been misinterpreted to justify any actions of those who want to change the SCV or remake it in their own image.
Dr. Boyd Cathey also included in his report that the General Executive Council committed an unconstitutional act. Any act that is committed within the guidelines of the constitution is constitutional. There have been resolutions in the past designed to weaken or to control the General Executive Council because of its LAWFUL ACTS.
Jesus Christ is never at the head of any human organization. The head is always people who pretend to believe in Christ but act like the Devil.
Putting all our energies into fighting for control of the SCV and tearing each other down is not honoring our Confederate ancestors.
FINALLY, at the Asheville Convention, I want the leadership of the SCV to come clean and say what they are doing, up front, so SCV members like me can make an informed decision to stay or move on.
RUDOLPH YOUNG, COMMANDER
ROBERT F. HOKE / WILLIAM J. HOKE CAMP 1616
LINCOLNTON, NORTH CAROLINA