Virginia history

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NOVELIST William Faulkner observed: "The past is never dead. It isn't even past." Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell appears to understand that lament, having declared April "Confederate History Month" in his state.

Initially missing from the Republican's governor proclamation was a recognition that the Confederacy was a seditious movement that fought to maintain the legitimacy of slavery and its expansion into America's western territories. Such nostalgia is possible only to those who are committed to ignoring a tragic legacy.

Belatedly, Mr. McDonnell amended his proclamation last week to include a condemnation of slavery. But as the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War arrives next year, a month dedicated to celebrating the Confederacy still seems an assault on the arc of history.

Mr. McDonnell insists he isn't trying to appease groups such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans by honoring those who fought to defend slavery. Apologists would have Americans believe that thousands of soldiers died over "states' rights," without conceding that the Confederacy fought to preserve an inhuman institution.

The governor may be clever enough to believe he's speaking in code, but we've seen this before. When it comes to race and the maneuvers of some politicians, the past is never dead.

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