I drove downtown the other day with the sole purpose of reading the inscription of the statue “Fame.” I have to confess I was a little nervous. Given the climate these days, I was worried what people passing by might think about some person milling about “Fame.”

Nonetheless, I read the inscription. It’s a solemn message acknowledging the courage and valor of all the Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War. It spoke of defending the Constitution and state sovereignty. The word “slavery” did not appear.

I have never agreed with the calls of removing “Fame.” Why she was erected in 1909 is not how we feel today — regardless of what the media says. I realize the statue elicits painful memories, but that could be one of the more compelling reasons to leave her right where she is. “Fame” calls upon us to look where we’ve been, what we’ve done and what not to do again. To hide her, let alone destroy her, would serve no purpose. Luckily, I don’t think the good people of Salisbury buy into any of this.

I’ve read in the Salisbury Post recent that “Fame” is to be moved to the Confederate cemetery in town. There, locals and tourists alike can reflect on the history of the South, good, bad and indifferent. You take your life in your own life in your own hands trying to do this at the intersection of Church and Innes.

It’s sad, but moving “Fame,” to this new location makes sense, unless of course these history erasers have a problem with Confederate cemeteries. That wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

— Allan Gilmour

Salisbury