Typical Letter Protesting Plaque Removal
to then-Gov. Bush
June 13, 2000
The Honorable George S. Bush
Governor of Texas
State Capitol
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Dear Governor Bush:
In this morning’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram I was informed that State personnel, in an after hours situation, removed two long standing plaques from the Texas State Supreme Court building in Austin.
One of these plaques bears a small version of a Confederate Battle Flag and a quote from Robert E. Lee about how much he valued Texas soldiers. The other plaque memorializes all Texas who fought for the Confederacy and it bears the Great Seal of the Confederacy.
The reason for the Confederate connection is historical and substantial. The money to build the State Supreme Court buildings came from the Confederate Widows’ Pension Fund, and the transfer of the money from the Fund to the building project was approved by a statewide referendum in the 1950’s.
The Texas NAACP demanded the removal of the above plaques, and you acquiesced, even though reliable surveys show that the NAACP does not represent the views of Black Americans on a host of issues including capital punishment, affirmative action, school choice, busing, gun control and the Confederate Battle Flag. As we say here in Texas, the NAACP is all hat and no cattle. When it comes to politics, the NAACP is wedded solidly t the Liberal, Democrat Party and nothing you can do or say will endear you to them.
Furthermore, the NAACP is committed to removing every Confederate symbol from the public domain. You surrender to them has only served to whet their appetite.
Are these the actions of a great state? The soldiers and widows are long gone. You are holding on to the property that they funded yet removing the words and symbols that identified their honor and generosity. To make matters worse, this was done on a weekend, after hours and hidden from the sight of the people. Could you have not held a referendum or at least public hearings where all voices could be heard?
Your action breaks faith with the voters who authorized the transfer of funds, the Confederate Widows, and all those Texans who donned Confederate Grey to defend the Lone Star State.
One such Texas was my 4-great uncle Captain Felix McKittrick, Sheriff of Denton County in 1854. Upon outset of hostilities in 1861, he joined the 21st Brigade, Texas State Troops and in 1862 assumed command of Co. G, 18th Texas Cavalry (Darnell’s Regiment), Cleburne’s Division, Hardee’s Corps, Army of Tennessee. In 1861 there were no more than eight or ten negro slaves in Denton County, and not over one soldier in one hundred in the county who owned slaves, he included. Felix McKittrick was a cowman who all his adult life was a sidekick to the famous cattleman John Chisum.
If the name McKittrick sounds familiar, the famous McKittrick Canyon, often called “the most beautiful spot in Texas”, Guadalupe Mountain National Park, was named after my 4-great uncle.
In closing, although I have been a consistent Republican (Texas Delegation to the 1976 Republican National Convention, Kansas City. Political Appointee, Reagan Administration 1981-1988.) and have supported you for Governor. I will not make a financial contribution to your Presidential Campaign nor put a bumper sticker on my car, a lawn sign on my lawn or encourage others to vote for you. At best, you will get my vote in November.
I am under no illusion that my actions, nor others who do the same, will have any effect on the Presidential race. However, I must keep faith with my Texas ancestors who fought for the Confederacy without any desire for material gain but only for the cause of defending Texas.
I do not hate you for your action, but only have pity that a person with so many talents would turn his back on the noble sacrifice of his fellow Texans and on the heritage of his adopted state.
Sincerely,
DAVID A WILLIAMS
CC: Lt. Gov. Rick Perry
Clay Johnson, Chief of Staff to the Governor
Chief Justice Tom Phillips
Republican Party of Texas, Austin, Texas
