South Carolina Republican Party Releases Statement on Confederate Flag Issue

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The following statement from Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party:

Friends,

Earlier this afternoon, I stood with Governor Nikki Haley, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, National Committeeman Glenn McCall, and many other elected officials to ask our State Legislature to remove the Confederate battle flag from in front of the South Carolina State House.

The Confederate battle flag has flown on or near our State House since April 11, 1961. According to state legislators who were serving then, the flag was meant to fly over the State House dome for just one year starting on the centennial anniversary of the Civil War’s beginning. The flag remained there until 2000 when it was moved to the Confederate monument in front of the State House.

My own ancestors fought in the Civil War. They served their state and community when called upon and I would never dishonor their memory. Today is not about forgetting them or re-writing history. Instead, it is about healing – and while we can cannot change South Carolina’s past, we can heal her future. The tragic events of the past week have shown that South Carolinians are united in that effort.

The South Carolinians I know, of all races, are good, decent, and God-fearing people. The Confederate battle flag represents heritage for many, but for many others, it represents division. I believe we can find a better way forward to honor South Carolina’s history.

As a Christian, my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ indelibly shapes my view of the world. It is this faith that unites Christians of all races and nationalities in a spirit of love – not faith in flags or symbols. The Apostle Paul captured this spirit of Christ in Romans 14, when he wrote, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

Removing the Confederate battle flag from in front of the State House is an act of peace and mutual edification. It is one more step in the remarkable unity of character and brotherhood on display in South Carolina today and over the past week.

This profound sense of unity honors our state, but also emboldens each one of our state’s leaders to seek new ways to come together. As leaders, we are not always called to do what is easy. We are called to do what is hard.

As State Chairman, I will continue to support the positions that I believe are morally right, even if it is hard. I thank the many people who stood beside me today and the many others who have offered encouraging texts and/or phone calls. I do realize that some people have different opinions on this issue and I do not mind hearing their respectful disagreements.

In closing, I ask that you continue to pray for the families of State Senator Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr., Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Tywanza Sanders, Myra Thompson, and the congregration at Emanuel AME. Their grace and strength are simply inspiring.

Sincerely,
Matt

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