Michigan Civil War Blog

Nine nine six nine

That, by adding zero zero zero (000), gives you the estimated population of Michigan today according to the US Census Bureau. The media is decrying it as further evidence that we all are lagging the Nation in, well, almost everything.

In terms of population growth, we are lagging. But the other side of this news includes:

-- after losing a million jobs during the 90's, it's amazing that the population hasn't decreased accordingly

-- we still rank pretty high among the states in population; it's difficult to navigate the Census website but it appears we're still in the top 10, certainly the top 15

-- putting it in perspective, Michigan had 9.94 million residents in 2000 ... so we actually grew in population during the last nine years

-- given our natural resource identity, and our infrastructure needs, would it be better to have grown

It doesn't mean we don't have work to do (BTW, does a double negative equal a single positive?), for we surely do, but all in all this is a positive -- not negative -- item, evidencing a more balanced story can be told ... if one looks at it half-full.

"Since before the Civil War"

Interesting, very interesting, when suchis the time reference used in a trade press/inside the beltway kind of publication (MIRS) about a publication that itself is historic:

Michigan Manual To Be Spared
While the Race To The Top deal was faltering last week, another was being struck to save the Michigan Manual.

As MIRS first reported, the print version of the state's biennial almanac was likely to be mothballed due to budget cuts and staff reductions (See "Stop The Presses On The Michigan Manual?", 12/7/09). History lovers like Inside Michigan Politics publisher Bill BALLENGER and veteran journalist Jack LESSENBERRY lobbied against this. And Rep. Pam BYRNES (D-Lyndon Twp.) stepped in to try to rescue the book published since before the Civil War (See "Byrnes, Michigan Manual Savior?", 12/9/09).

Byrnes told MIRS today that an agreement to publish a "scaled-back" version was made on Thursday and Friday involving House Business Office Director Tim BOWLIN and the Legislative Service Council (LSC), which publishes the manual. Byrnes said she was glad people "realized the significance" of the manual.

Go to battle

Michigan -- Detroit -- people here -- continue to struggle. Every day we hear and read about another betrayal of the public trust, another leader failing to lead. So to read this quote in the Detroit News today, from Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, really catches in the throat and inspires:

"Being frustrated is just an absolute waste of time," Babcock said. "It's about being positive, digging in and staying within the structure. It's all part of life. Times are tough here in Detroit for people. Are they giving in or are they battling? We have to do the same thing -- battle."

With such an incredibly rich history here including a Civil War story that remains to be told in all its fulsomeness, it is easy to be frustrated as opportunities go missed. Babcock says it's "an absolute waste of time." Rather, on behalf of Michigan history we should be "positive, digging in ... battling."

We have to battle.

"We're all Michiganders now"

Interesting article about the current state of the economy and how the Michigan experience is not unique anymore --  Forbes . What catches the eye is the use of the Lincolnian term for us here in the Great Lake State, once more proving that this should be the de rigueur usage.

Giving thanks, a Northern custom

It's not that we want to denigrate the spirituality of our Southern cousins, but occasionally it's good to set the record straight. The Thanksgiving holiday is one such occasion.

Seem to recall from way back in grade school that it was folks in New England who began the custom. That it was a Midwestern president who revived the tradition during the Civil War. And that in 1941 it was a Northern president who moved the celebration on the fourth Thursday of November. That a parade down Woodward Avenue in Detroit is a tradition for nearly 85 years. That it is now called, appropriately, "America's."

It's great to be grateful for one united country, under God.

Michigan veterans II

Regarding federal investment in Michigan lately, a sore subject for a donor State with such high unemployment, the public usually hears about stimulus money, roads money, Great Lakes clean-up money, and auto bail-out money. Not much is said about the federal parks, forests, shorelines, marine sanctuary, and historic areas that depend on the U.S. taxpayer for sustenance. That's too bad, for it means most folks aren't focused on these vital and life-affecting environmental/cultural assets that are critical to a well-ordered society.

Today, it's fitting and appropriate to think of one other federal installation, the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly MI. Opened in 2005, the 544 acres provide a suitable final resting place for the veterans who will always merit great respect and honor. Appropriate for the Great Lakes State, the cemetery borders a lake and is located on a portion of a land grant predating the Civil War (1836).

Would not have thought of this today, except that some friends recently buried a family member there, and they recounted how inspiring the place is with its tree-lined entrance, dignified grounds, active duty personnel who assist in making the ceremony so meaningful, and the quietude that should mark such hallowed ground.

The website [GLNC] is less than impressive -- at the very least, it should contain images of the place so that those of us who likely won't/can't pay our respects could envision the place -- and it has a curious section "Notable Persons" that says "Under Development". Are we to understand that the VA takes the position that it should call attention to only certain gravesites rather than honor/note all vets? From what I understand from the military, hearkening back to the GAR, they regard each other as brothers/sisters in arms and preferred not to denigrate the service of any.

It is altogether fitting and proper to hilite the GLNC this day of all days.

Event tonite

The Jewish Soldier from Michigan in the Civil War, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 7pm.  The Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives presents this latest program in their

Miller-Bearman Jewish History Detective lecture by archivist Jan Durecki.  Free and open to the public; donation appreciated.  Reservations: 248-865-0628.  Co-sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan.  The program takes place at the Temple Beth El, 7400 Telegraph Rd. at 14 Mile Rd., Bloomfield Hills.  http://www.tbeonline.org/education/archives/index.cfm

Michigan veterans I

A very special Veterans Day ceremony will be held at Detroit's Historic Elmwood Cemetery. The special service --in section S -- honors 18 members of the 102nd U-S Colored Infantry Regiment from the Civil War. Highlights of the program include a presentation of the American flag, a roll call for the 102nd Infantry and the two Native Americans, a gun salute by the 102nd U.S. Colored Troops Reenactment Group and more. The public is invited, and there is no charge. http://elmwoodhistoriccemetery.org/

New home for Michigan Historical Center

Now that HAL is gone and the MI Department of Natural Resources has folded the Center under its wing, the State's website gives it a new location, though with the same information as before:

MDNR

An explanation

It's been a week or so since anything new appeared here. Blogger slacking off? Lazy? Nothing to say?

No. The culprit is that Typepad no longer enables the version of Explorer that is embedded on my laptop to run. So why not simply download a later version? Because I have to go thru a system administrator, and that requires some stuff I don't have time for. So, I'm using spouse's laptop right now, which is obviously more up-to-date than that other one.

So, is there anything to say? Well, sure. The past week has seen October 1 come and go. With that date came the end of the Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. Did anyone notice? Should they have?

No doubt the Michigan Historical Center staffers noticed. They had come over from the Michigan Secretary of State a decade ago to headline the new agency. It was a fateful 10 years, in which HAL was launched, sailed out onto placid seas, began to encounter headwinds, then fought a full-fledged gale. Funding was cut and herculean efforts had to be engaged to keep serving the people of Michigan. Finally, a tsunami engulfed the organization when the '09 worldwide and national plunge hit. The Governor and Legislature faced an enormous budget shortfall, and HAL's days were numbered.

What happened to the Civil War Sesquicentennial in all this? After all, isn't that the point of this blog?

Nothing. The Michigan Historical Commission still exists, it still has the responsibility of implementing EO 2007-52, and plans are still underway. Just this week, Michigan participated in the quarterly AASLH CWS conference call in which participating states and organizations share ideas and information. It is hoped that the Commission will look at a plan that incorporates the public input from this summer's public hearings by the end of year. 

At any rate, there is still a history program in Michigan, the Michigan Historical Center continues to live (now in the Department of Natural Resources), and the CW 150th in Michigan continues to be under construction. Please continue to check in here for Michigan and the Civil War news and information.

Thanks so much!