David Hume (1711 - 1776) was famous as what they call a Philosopher, a man who 'thought, spouted his opinions, and appealed to the chattering classes. One good thing about him was his love of books. From them he gathered his ideas, annoyed the Kirk of the day, and from his base working in the library poured forth his own books. He rose in prominence, restricted by his 'atheistic' views from many appointments but remains to this day a favourite among philosophy seeking thinkers.
Naturally all this has been put aside by the mob!
The mob has discovered he thought 'Negroes' to be 'naturally inferior,' an opinion shared by many at the time. Especially by those who never met any or of they did came across only those native tribes round the coast of Africa. His morals did not extend to Black men it appears. This, to the youthful Edinburgh citizen, or student from outside, is anathema! (If they know what 'anathema' means that is.)
Another who has had his Edinburgh statue graffitied (Is that a word?) is Henry Dundas, the 1st Viscount Melville. (1742 - 1811) Dundas made use of his Lawyer training by becoming an MP in 1774, like so many of the others. Climbing high he became Home Secretary, a position he made use of to oppose the end of the slave trade. He served in several positions, some claimed he was 'King Henry the 9th of Scotland,' and was the last man to be impeached in the UK after money scandals in the Admiralty. This led to acquittal but the end of his career.
The mob now wish his statue, 150 feet above the square, to be removed! They can climb up and knock him down if they wish.
Neither of these men appeal to me. Their opinions, some forget, were forged in a different age, their attitudes shared by the vast majority. The majority that bothered that is, like today.
We see now all sorts of men, ignored by most, their stories unknown also, being harangued because of an attitude from the past. Statues will fall, reputations ruined, today's 'morality' (often unbalanced) imposed on the past.
If we seek out all who have had opinions we dislike, if we remove their statues, their pictures, their offerings and name from the towns, we may find we have nothing left! Opposing abuse brings home to us how many benefactors were not always nice men. Their wealth often provided by the work of another, the conditions of work terrible. But will removing statues change things?
Indeed the danger is twofold. On the one hand we forget the History of their deeds, that is, those who know their History, it was never taught in my school! We also become Nazis burning books we do not like. How far do we go with that?
Debate, certainly, discuss, teach, but let us avoid Mob Rule Bandwagons, there will always be another along in a minute, and we may be under that one.
