Editorial - Speaking Up to Save Morris Island

Editorial - The Post and Courier

Story last updated at 7:28 a.m. Friday, April 9, 2004

Speaking up to save Morris Island

James Island Town Council voted wisely, and unanimously, Tuesday to oppose a proposed residential development on Morris Island. That decision at the council meeting, in accord with clear public opinion reflected by a large turnout, sends another welcome signal that, in the words of the resolution, the island's "historic and cultural character" will be preserved.

According to our report, James Island isn't the only local community lining up against the ill-advised notion of building 20 houses near where an historic Civil War battle was waged. Folly Beach Mayor Vernon Knox said he doubts anyone on his town's council would support an annexation of Morris Island, a move some worry the developer might seek to advance his plans. City of Charleston officials have expressed similar reservations about such an annexation.

That apparently leaves this matter to Charleston County, which currently has zoning jurisdiction on the island. The development, as now proposed, would not be permitted under current county regulations, which designate the island a natural resource management area. At the most, that designation would allow two dwellings.

Charleston County Council should stick to those regulations -- and keep this proposed development from undermining the priceless heritage of Morris Island, which is listed as "endangered" by the Civil War Preservation Trust.

The diverse crowd of approximately 100 that attended the James Island meeting -- including conservationists, historic preservationists, Civil War re-enactors from both sides of our nation's deadliest conflict, and even surfers -- made their mutual point quite plain. A Massachusetts 54th re-enactor, James Island's George Hughes, offered this eloquent argument against annexation: "There's too much blood, both Confederate and Union, to be walked upon and pounded with condominiums."

Much of that blood was spilled during the Massachusetts 54th's 1863 assault upon Battery Wagner at the north end of Morris Island, immortalized in the 1989 film "Glory." Though the attack failed to take the Confederate position, it succeeded in demonstrating black soldiers' courage under fire.

And though the island's owner has cited "property rights" in his push to further pursue his plan, the residents who spoke against that inappropriate proposal made their voices heard Tuesday. Charleston County Council should listen to those voices.