Eutawville man at center of fight to save SCV from 'political extremism'

By SHIRLEY UPTON, T&D Correspondent

EUTAWVILLE - Walter C. Hilderman III of Eutawville is proud of his great-great-grandfather who was a Confederate soldier and of his Southern heritage.

But Hilderman is disturbed by what he views as the continuing trend of the leadership of the 33,000-member organization, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, toward involving the group in the politically extreme agendas of other organizations.

"Modern political extremism has little to do with defending the proud record of the Confederate soldier," he said in an interview this week. "Many of our own SCV leaders are participants in this trend."

Hilderman recently sought election as commander-in-chief of the group at the SCV National Reunion in Dalton, Ga., but he was never nominated because he was barred from the meeting hall by two attorneys acting on behalf of the SCV.

"They met me at the door and said if I entered, they would have me locked up," he said.

Texas retiree Denne Sweeney, who denies racism and political activity within the group, was elected and is expected to continue the political action trend even though it is contrary to the group's constitution, Hilderman said.

Hilderman is currently awaiting the decision of the organization's General Executive Council, which is trying to expel him from the SCV.

"Last year, I co-founded 'Save the Sons of Confederate Veterans' with the intent to return the group to its original mission - to be a patriotic American organization with allegiance to the United States of America and also to represent and defend Confederate heritage," he said.

Hilderman believes that in recent years the SCV's leadership has become involved with contemporary political organizations that do not represent Southern heritage, specifically the League of the South, a neo-secessionist group that wants to secede now, and the Council of Conservative Citizens, an immigration reform organization alleged to harbor racist attitudes. He, along with many other members, wants the SCV to confine itself to an "aggressive but positive defense of Confederate heritage."

"My objection to these groups is that issues like neo-secessionism and immigration reform are not appropriate issues for SCV members to be involved in. The SCV leaders who represent the views of these organizations don't fit into our mission," Hilderman said.

Part of Hilderman's platform was for the SCV membership to "begin the process of making peace with the NAACP without sacrificing our Confederate heritage and symbols." He believes that America is tired of the endless conflict surrounding the "flag issue" and wants it settled.

"If the SCV can bring about a settlement, we will be recognized as peacemakers," he said.

Hilderman would also encourage the SCV to get a "clean bill of health" from the Southern Poverty Law Center by repudiating racism and racist groups.

"If the SCV can separate itself from extremists and defuse the flag issue, the SPLC will have no choice but to acknowledge our accomplishment. They have not classified the SCV as a hate group, yet. In fact, they have reported that we are a history/heritage group that currently suffers from politically extreme leadership. The SPLC has reported on our internal struggle, and they will report on whoever wins," he said.

Eighty percent of the members of the SCV are "good, solid historians," Hilderman said. But he added that many of the remaining 20 percent are in leadership positions that are affiliated with racist or hate groups, and Hilderman said he thinks they should not be promoting their agendas at the SCV.

"Also, these organizations don't want their members talking to the media," he said. "There should be room for disagreement, but they try to shut you up."

A total of 250 members of the SCV in North Carolina, where he previously lived, have been purged out of the group for expressing opposing views, Hilderman said.

"Racists and secessionists should not use the Confederate flag. They are not fighting for the same ideals we are, so they should make their own flag," he said.

Hilderman said he believes that the Sons of Confederate Veterans members can solve their problems at the ballot box and that if the majority demands change, the organization's constitution should be changed to make it a political action committee.

According to Hilderman, there are some bright spots in other states where members are espousing his views. He is gratified that in Florida, moderates have taken over and have tried to turn the state around. Moderates have also been elected from geographic subdivisions within the SVC, he said.

"I had ancestors in the Civil War, and they would be ashamed of what's going on today. When the SCV gets involved in political issues, people tend to revise history for their own purposes," he said.

When asked about his future plans, Hilderman said, "This ain't over yet!"

T&D Correspondent Shirley Upton can be reached by phone at 803-854-5009.

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