Legendary confederate statesman Strom Thurmond one time tried to trade away a holiday to celebrate the life of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in exchange for a national day honoring Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who was born on January 21, 1824.
Thurmond’s behind the scenes efforts late in his life were revealed this morning in personal papers only recently released to the public.
Thurmond stated in letters to a number of Southern and Republican congressmen, that setting aside a holiday for a “negro” would only serve to “divide the nation more surely than Vietnam.” Thurmond instead suggested a day set aside in memory of Stonewall Jackson, whom
Thurmond said, “epitomized the vigor, manliness, Christianity and spirit of a true American.”
Thurmond, who had fought alongside General Jackson during the Civil War at the Battle of Cedar Mountain was often heard to talk of how immpressive the great leader was. “He was a true believer. He was a Christian. He was a Southern Gentleman. There would be no holidays for black men if he were around, that is for sure.”
Thurmond, an avid letter writer his entire life, wrote numerous letters to President Lincoln asking him to reconsider emancipation.
Thurmond, also fought in World War I with Black Jack Pershing and parachuted into Normandy in World War II. He finally softened as he approached his final days. When asked once more about the holiday celebrating King’s birthday, Thurmond said, “who gives a shit?”
Despite Thurmond’s appeals, Martin Luther King Day is now celebrated in 49 of the 50 states. Only in Utah, where there are no individual rights, does Martin Luther King’s birthday go unnoticed. Instead, the state legislature, in a rare nod to the Mormon Church, chose to recognize Joseph Smith Day, as a part of Joseph Smith Week.
Thurmond freed the last of his personal slaves on May 1, 2003. He died later that same year on June 26, 2003, the 123rd anniversary of Custer’s Last Stand, he was 192 years old.