Statue of Unknown Confederate Soldier source of debate

A former mayor wants it taken down.

“I’m not saying we shouldn’t pay tribute to them. I’m just saying that is not the place,” says former Macon Mayor C. Jack Ellis.

Ellis wrote a letter to asking the city to remove the statue of the unnamed solider which has been in downtown Macon for more than 132 years.

“It’s always been offensive to me,” he revealed. “So when I heard that they wanted to move it. I thought it was the right thing and it was for the right reason.”

Ellis has been criticized for wanting this historical piece taken down because when he was in office he chose to kept “the colored waiting room” sign at terminal station. But he had the sign covered during his term, which was 1999 to 2007.

“It has to remain there because it is a historic building,” explained Ellis. “You cannot deface a historic building. So those who put it there meant for it to always be that way.”

He argues the marble statue, located at the intersection of Second Street and Cotton Avenue, represents those killed in the civil war.

“The whole purpose of the war we all know was to maintain a way of life, which existed in the south in those days i.e. slavery and to maintain an economic system by having slavery,” he added.

Ellis believes the statue should be placed in a museum or in Rose Hill Cemetery.

“There’s a burial ground there for those confederate soldiers or rebels or what have you, that died in the war and they are buried there on public property,” he continued. “I’m not saying we shouldn’t pay tribute to them. I’m just saying that is not the place.”

Ellis says the idea to remove the statue was sparked in response to the fatal church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, which has stirred debates of removing the confederate flag across the nation.

“Although we have to pay tribute to and honor those nine souls that lost their lives, but whenever tragedy strikes a lot of times good things come out of it,” added Ellis.

Macon-Bibb Mayor Robert Reichert says he does not plan to introduce legislation to move the monument and he hasn’t heard from commissioners if they plan to either. He hopes this discussion ignites unity in the community, and is not a way to divide it.

“If you understand what is there to honor and commemorate, not the cause, for which they fought but the soldier and the response of the individual to a call to duty from the country,” explained Reichert.

Residents 41NBC talked with have different opinions on what should be done to the landmark, which was erected in 1879.

“It probably would be better off in a museum,” says Al Woodson. “Slavery did happen you know, you cannot take history away and you cannot change history.”

“I believe the statue should remain where it is,” says Lee Webb. “I mean people appreciate being able to see things that symbolize something real in life.”

Devalyn Fischer works across the street from the statue and sees it everyday.

“I don’t really care,” she said.

“I think it should stay,” says Tim Mathews. “It’s a part of history. It’s a part of Macon.It’s been here for a while. There was never any controversy about it, and now everybody is so thin skinned. It’s a part of history, but those times are over and it’s just a monument to older times.“