"I Think God Will Give Me Credit for It"
When Nathan Bedford Forrest's body was taken to Memphis Elmwood Cemetery in 1887, the procession was two miles long. 20,000 people lined up along the street in order to honor him. Later, there would be at least 29 monuments dedicated to him (99). One might wonder what great accomplishments the man had done in order to warrant such affection. But, wait, there is more. One might think that he was a man of great integrity, since his final words were: "Let the people say what they will, but I did right, and I think God will give me credit for it." It sounds like a person who, perhaps, had several personal and public struggles, but ultimately came down on the right side of whatever controversy he faced. Those who honored him in his death would seem to add weight to this hypothesis. Although it sounds reasonable; it is not the truth. Nathan Bedford Forrest was the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
He is one of a dozen or so people profiled in Bill O'Reilly's latest book, Confronting Evil (co-authored by Josh Hammer) (98-99). [This book should be mandatory reading for all college students (and their professors).] Forrest was anything but a person of integrity. Although born to poor English settlers, he became the richest man in Memphis. Along with his five brothers, he operated "the largest slave-trading operation north of New Orleans" (92). He started as a private in the Civil War and rose to general. At Fort Pillow, southern soldiers won a victory over the Union soldiers. 400 men had surrendered when Forrest entered the camp. "Without warning, Confederate soldiers open fire" on the now-defenseless men. Only a few escape with their lives. Forrest is now a war criminal, subject to execution, but nothing happens to him (90).
After the south surrendered, various Confederates elect a new leader of the Ku Klux Klan—Nathan Bedford Forrest. The origin of that name is explained on page 95. During the Civil War, Forrest's men called him the "Grand Wizard of the Saddle" (88). When elected leader of the Klan, he took the name Grand Wizard (96). The Klan believes in the "God-given supremacy of the White Race" (95). "They condone rape, arson, and murder against anyone, Black or White, who may be advocating for equality" (96). Was Forrest worthy of a lengthy funeral procession and 29 monuments?
He was a cruel and sadistic man with no regard or compassion for human beings created in God's image. He had a perverted sense of what "doing right" meant. One thing is certain: God will give him all the credit he deserves. He will receive credit as a racist, a murderer, a persecutor, and more. He possessed not one ounce of noble blood, yet he thinks God will reward him. How foolish of human beings to live however they wish—yet are confident God approves of them. They have deceived themselves.