Want to get rid of statues? Start with this Democratic racist

If we’re going to take down statues, one on the State House’s north lawn needs the wrecking ball. Not the Confederate soldier facing north on Main Street (OK, it needs removal too), but another, 30 paces behind the soldier. It’s the worst racist South Carolina ever had. One Benjamin Tillman. Tillman incited and bragged of participating in the persecution and murder of blacks.

And please read the inscription on the Tillman monument: It was proudly erected by the Democratic Party. For 100 years, from 1877 through 1977, all S.C. governors were. That tells you whose party was the racist one.

This story was originally published August 19, 2017 at 8:26 AM with the headline "Want to get rid of statues? Start with this Democratic racist."