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We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime
telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity.
Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois
62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com
FREE FRANK’S LEGACY
Francis “Free Frank” McWhorter paid to have the ground platted and
the plat recorded for what became the town of New Philadelphia [Todd Spivak,
“Revisionist history,” July 15]. It is in the Pike County Deed Record Book 9:182,
according to Dr. Juliet E.K. Walker’s book Free Frank: A Black Pioneer on
the Antebellum Frontier. In Chapter 6 of her book, she writes, “The Illinois
Town Plat Act, which regulated the activity of town founding, included no provision
which would prevent blacks from platting a town.” The following statement is
recorded on the plat of New Philadelphia that is in the above-named deed-record
book: “Sept. 16th 1836, I do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the
plat and survey of the Town of Philadelphia. Made by me, by order of Free Frank
the proprietor, P. Johnston SPC, Reuben Shipman chairman, Geane Joseph.”
Francis “Free Frank” McWorter incorporated (incorporate: to give real
form to something, to merge something into a whole) New Philadelphia. Free Frank
himself sold ground in New Philadelphia to both blacks and whites. Blacks and
whites lived there, worked there, and died there. Oral histories and the historical
records from local newspapers of the antebellum and postbellum years all speak
well of New Philadelphia and its inhabitants, black and white. What artifacts
cannot show, perhaps they can.
Dr. Walker, in her book, described both blacks and whites living in New Philadelphia.
New Philadelphia was a unique and special place and obviously holds a place
in everyone’s heart who comes to know it.
Georgia Lee Elledge
Barry
THE VALUE OF REMEMBERING
After reading the July 1 edition of Illinois Times, I had to
think about two particular articles. The Commentary by Mike Townsend was surprising
news [“Dishonoring Lincoln, big-time”]. If such deceit was true, then it would
be of significant importance. I would think that if Springfield’s “city fathers”
want to attract tourists and offer a pleasing view of the city on the way, then
it would make more sense to appreciate art and add to it. I think — no, I know
— that we are capable of restoring a mural. Because supposedly the message was
not a problem — except for what some would call lack of hope — why not add a
positive mural near it, a mural that promotes progress and recognizes past inefficiencies?
If society, this community, or whoever wants to celebrate great presidents,
then why not honor them with integrity and follow their lead? Exploiting someone
to put money back into the community might be logical if the process of doing
so did not take away from the community.
From my understanding of Mr. Townsend’s article, it is our city that is recognized
for the soil that was once home to Lincoln, but what has grown from this soil
is not a reflection of his beliefs, the same beliefs that a diverse group of
people will come to research. Hiding injustice never earned any city or anyone
the title of an American hero.
Also, the article titled “Fired up” by Dusty Rhodes mentions forgetting a
racist past. Let me remark that forgetting does not include covering up.
I believe that it is only in remembering that we can learn from our mistakes.
It is in forgetting that we allow ourselves to bandage a wound, not heal it.
J. Taylor
Springfield
ALTERNATIVE VOICES NEEDED
Todd Spivak wrote a great article on Ralph Nader and the Green Party
[“The spoilers,” July 8]. Alternative political views need to have more of a
voice in politics, especially in corrupt Illinois, and it’s always great to
see alternatives get some attention. I’ll admit I’m a bit jealous, however,
because the Libertarian Party is on the ballot with Michael Badnarik for president
and Jerry Kohn for U.S. Senate.
In 2002, Libertarian candidates received more than 550,000 votes in Illinois,
and our statewide candidates averaged more than 85,000 votes. In fact, on the
basis of our 2002 election efforts, we would be considered an “established party”
with automatic ballot access in 42 other states.
If Illinois had free and equal elections, as our state Constitution calls
for, voters would not be denied their democratic right to vote for the candidate
of their choice, be it independent, Libertarian, or Green. Illinois just happens
to have some of the most restrictive and antidemocratic ballot-access requirements
for independents and third parties of any state in the U.S. and, for that matter,
any democracy in the world.
It is because of those ridiculous ballot-access requirements that the Libertarian
Party of Illinois has been helping Nader’s campaign defend the petition challenge
issued by the Democrats and state employees on Michael Madigan’s staff. Even
though Libertarians would stand to gain more of the “protest” vote without Nader
on the ballot, we do not believe in snubbing democratic elections for our selfish
benefit as Michael Madigan has.
Jeff Trigg
Executive Director
Libertarian Party of Illinois
Peoria
KEEP DIGGING
Please continue to investigate these prosecutors [Dusty Rhodes, “Never
say die,” July 15]. I have known and loved Julie Rea-Harper her whole life.
Len Kirkpatrick [Rea’s ex-husband] would rather have Julie punished than the
real killer.
Tina Mickle
Columbus, Ind.
AN EXCELLENT SYNOPSIS
Thank you for writing the story “Never say die” on the Julie Rea-Harper
case [Dusty Rhodes, July 15]. I am one of the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project
students involved in an intense investigation to find out the truth as to who
murdered Joel. During the investigation with Bill Clutter, Larry Golden, and
the other DIIP students, I saw no evidence to convince me she committed the
crime. Quite to the contrary, everything I read, interviews I conducted, and
personal experiences have convinced me she is innocent. I ask people to read
your story to get an excellent brief synopsis of the Julie Rea-Harper story.
Debra Kay Stetyick
Springfield
FOUR MORE YEARS
With the November elections drawing ever closer, let’s take a step
back and look at where we are today. New job figures and other recent economic
data show that America’s economy is strong and getting stronger — and that the
president’s jobs and growth plan is working. The Labor Department announced
that employers added 288,000 new jobs in April. In total, more than 1.1 million
jobs have been added since August, with eight consecutive months of gains.
America has a choice: It can continue to grow the economy and create new jobs,
as the president’s policies are doing, or it can raise taxes on American families
and small businesses, hurting economic recovery and future job creation.
President Bush’s pro-growth agenda, strong education system, and policies
to help American workers gain the skills to secure good jobs are the right ways
to respond to the challenges of our growing and changing economy.
The president’s jobs and growth policies have put the economy on the road
to recovery, but there is more work to be done. The president has outlined a
six-point plan to create even more job opportunities for America’s workers and
keep America the best place in the world to do business. The plan includes enabling
families and businesses to plan for the future with confidence by making tax
reductions permanent; making health-care costs more affordable and predictable;
reducing the burden of lawsuits on our economy; ensuring an affordable, reliable
energy supply; streamlining regulations and paperwork requirements; and opening
new markets for American products and services.
Dena R. Scott
Champaign
This article appears in Jul 22-28, 2004.
