Troops Came to U.S. Capitol in 1861 and Wrecked It-- Part 2: Different From 160 Years Ago

The most recent chapter in the history of the U.S. Capitol took place 160 years later.

On Wednesday, Jan. 13, photos showed  the halls of the building filled with thousands of rifle-toting National Guard troops tasked with securing the nation's capital city.  They rested on floors that just a week earlier rioters had overrun.  And some even carried Confederate flags.

But, this time they will not be staying in the Capitol, but put up in local hotels.

Troops also stayed overnight in the Capitol building during World War II and after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in 1968 during black riots.  According to U.S. senate history, they had also been called on to maintain order on at least three other times.

The scene this past Wednesday was also remarkably different than 160 years ago.  A bust of Lincoln and a plaque commemorating the earlier quartered regiments were located above napping guard members.  A group of black guardsmen took photos with a statue of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks.

Most wore face masks, and many observed social distancing amid the virus epidemic.

--Old Secesh

Here's a Thought of What to Do With the Lee-Jackson Birthdays and MLK One Occurring at the Same Time

In my last Confederacy Under Attack post I mentioned the problem in Lexington, Virginia, with the three men's birthdays being on the same weekend/day.  This is a problem in that they kind of represent the opposite sides of the spectrum

However. it should be he who first, which means the first one or ones to be celebrated should get the day.  That would mean Lee-Jackson get the day and MLK be moved to another day.

But, since the rest of the United States celebrates MLK, I have a proposition.

I would be in favor of moving the Lee-Jackson Day in return for the NAACP and other militant anti-Confederate organizations cease their attacks on the Confederacy.

I would then say to move it.

--Old Secesh

Arkansas Wonders What To Do About Shared MLK and Lee Birthdays

From the January 18, 2017, USA Today "State-By-State."

Arkansas Little Rock.

Every third Monday in January, Arkansas state offices close in observance of the shared birthdays of Martin Luther King Jr. and Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

But Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson wants to remove Lee from the holiday.  Critics of the governor say that move would belittle the state's Confederate heritage.

Let us consider whose birthday was celebrated on that day first?  That should determine who gets the date.

First Come.  --Old Secesh