Jefferson Davis said the Confederacy

would fight to "preserve our own rights and promote our own welfare."

That was true. The obvious connection is that they were fighting for the

right to continue slavery and to promote their way of life that was dependent

on it.

I don't doubt that there were

many brave and devoted Confederate soldiers. That doesn't make their cause

a just one. And while I also know that terrible things were done to the

South during the war, as Lincoln stated to those contemplating secession,

"You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the government,

while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend

it."

War, for any reason, is tragic.

It is also sometimes unavoidable and necessary. I believe the Civil War

is an example in our nation's history where a grievous national sin required

a painful and costly payment. I think we should be careful how we commemorate

it.

Heidi Vehrs

Fayetteville