Morgan Wheatly

The Donley County Commissioners’ Court next week will consider a request to place a marker commemorating the Ten Commandments on the lawn of the 1890 Courthouse, but it is a proposal the court should respectfully decline as improper, unnecessary, and inappropriate.

The court was approached about this during its last meeting on March 12, but it correctly took no action at that time because two members of the court were absent. A group describing themselves as “Citizens of Donley County” made the request and stated in a letter to the court that “our history is being lost to the younger generations,” and the purpose of the monument is to “honor the influence of the Bible and the Christian faith has had on our nation and our county.”

One of the citizens making the request told the Enterprise that the monument in question is not a “Ten Commandments” monument but that it is rather a “historical marker.” This point of semantics is designed to preempt any possible legal challenge to the monument, but it seems obvious from the information presented to the county that the desire to place such a monument is driven by religious and possibly political motives rather than a desire to teach history. The photographs of sample monuments from other courthouses show what appears to be a dishwasher size piece of granite with the Ten Commandments prominently inscribed with several faith-based quotes from American historical figures on the sides. The supporter told the Enterprise that the local monument would also reflect the history of the county.

Certainly many of America’s ideals have come under attack in recent decades, and this column appreciates the “here’s mud in your eye” attitude towards the left that the backers of this monument seem to possess. Still, we do live in a litigious society and commissioners are sure to be mindful of this fact. Despite assurances that backers have secured the promise of legal representation if a court challenge is mounted, it is ultimately the county that will be responsible.

But this column’s objections to the marker are not about legality. Just because something is determined to be legal doesn’t mean it is right, and there are several reasons to object to this proposal.

First, allowing such a monument would be improper. During the restoration of the 1890 Courthouse in 2003, architects and state preservationists expressed concern that the Courthouse Square was somewhat crowded with markers, monuments, and buildings. This was brought up in 2007 when Sara SoRelle brought a proposal to the Commissioners’ Court to erect a memorial to her late mother, Dr. Zell SoRelle, for her contributions as a preservationist and civic leader in Donley County. Commissioners not only unanimously rejected SoRelle’s proposal, but they also prohibited any future commemorative markers from being placed on the Courthouse lawn. Later, the county took this a step further by actually removing a marker dedicated to pioneer rancher and philanthropist Cornelia Adair and relocated it to the Saints’ Roost Museum. Allowing a Ten Commandments marker would be improper, therefore, because it would go contrary the Commissioners’ earlier action and open the door to future requests. What would be next?

Second, the monument is unnecessary. There can be no denial of the influence that Christianity had on the settlement and development of this county. But that influence has already been recognized on the Courthouse Square. The county’s Centennial Marker erected in 1982 shows four elements as the foundations for this county – Ranching, Farming, Education, and Churches – and includes a representation of the Christian cross. The role of religion on the development of this county can be found on Texas Historical Markers throughout town at local churches and even in front of the office for this newspaper, in the visitor guide for our community, and even with the halo on our official city logo. Our history is not being lost in Donley County. It is already well documented, memorialized, and stated without having an unnecessary dishwasher size Ten Commandments marker on the Courthouse lawn.

Finally, the location of the proposed monument is inappropriate. Given prominent role of religion in the development of this county, isn’t it somewhat surprising that the Ten Commandments were not included in the design of the courthouse when it was built in 1890? Our county forefathers were men of faith, but perhaps they felt that the Commandments belonged at the church house instead of the courthouse. There must, therefore, be a better place to do this. Putting the monument on grounds of the Methodist Church, for example, would be adjacent to the Courthouse Square and would be a far more appropriate location to discuss the influence of religion on this county. If backers desire a non-denominational location for their “historical marker” and truly desire to teach people about Christianity’s influence in Donley County, then choose a location on the highway and create an attractive grand memorial telling the story of Saints’ Roost and all the many historic churches and religious institutions and the influence of faith in our community. Do something truly impressive that will become an attraction for our community like the cross is at Groom.

Commissioners are in a difficult spot. Turning down this request will likely result in citizens’ unfairly questioning their personal faith or values. But these men aren’t elected to just make the easy decisions. They are put in office to do what is right even when it is unpopular, and in this case it is right to say, “No, thank you.”