The Founder of Edwardsville, Illinois, at Center of Statue Debate-- Part 2: So, What Was His Big 'Crime?'

A FaceBook group has petitioned the City of Edwardsville to remove the statue of Ninian Edwards  and his name from the plaza where it sits.  His crime?  In this day and age you can probably guess it.

They argue that he owned slaves and used his power to protect its practice.

Well, the Confederate monuments are coming down in the wake of the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis.  George Floyd was never a slave, nor were his parents or great parents.

William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society  said it was true that Edwards owned slaves when he came to Illinois Territory, but at the time, owning slaves was the law of the land.

"Edwards was a citizen of his times, just as we all are," said Furry.  Laws change, people change, social mores change.

Ridiculous.  --RoadDog