Democrats use divisive flag tactics

To the editor;

Recently The Marshall (Mo.) Democrat-News ran a story about the Saline County NAACP chapter's first-ever roundtable for the African-American community.

Democratic state Rep. Joe Aull was also there and used the opportunity to discuss the subject of the Confederate flag, stating: "Last year Governor [Bob] Holden ordered that Confederate flags not be allowed to fly at certain cemeteries. But last week a bill came up in legislature to allow the flags to fly again. We have quite a few African-American legislators, and they were very upset. I think what our challenge is is to try to find some way to allow them to honor their folks without inciting the African-American community. What I hear from the African-American legislators is that they don't want to see the Confederate flag hanging up next to the American flag, and I think that's a very valid point. If you have any ideas, they would be greatly appreciated."

The cemetery at Higginsville, Mo., once belonged to the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It was given to the state after the state assured the organization that it would take care of it.

If slavery is going to be used as an offend-o-meter to decide what symbols can be displayed, then liberal Democrats should be just as offended about the display of the U.S. flag.

We condemn the politically divisive and racially motivated tactics of Democratic legislators such as Aull.

CLINT E. LACY, Chairman,

Missouri league of Southern Voters, Marble Hill, Mo.