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Solomon Northup Statue on the Square

Dear Editor:

This letter is in response to the person who wrote and questioned why we were placing a black man’s statue on the Courthouse Square, referring to Solomon Northup.

The book 12 Years a Slave was later coedited by Professor Sue Eaken, from Bunkie and who taught at LSU-A, was world famous and helped people understand the evils of slavery. It helped to end the horrible institution of slavery.

What made the book so intriguing is the fact that Solomon Northup was a freeman but unlawfully enslaved. It was published soon after he was released.

The statue is more of a symbol of how the Justice system in Avoyelles Parish helped to end this unlawful enslavement. Five white men helped to free Northup. Four of them were residents of Avoyelles. Samuel Bass, who wrote the letter to Henry Northup to help free him was one of those who helped. He was white. Henry Northup, From New York, who knew Solomon well, got help from the Governor of New York, Solomon Northup’s home. He was white.

John P. Waddill was a Marksville resident. He was the lawyer for Solomon Northup, hired by Henry Northup to free Solomon and was successful. He was white. Judge Cushman, the Judge who signed the order to help secure custody of Solomon for court, made sure that it would be done so that Edwin Epps could not hide Northup. Judge Cushman was white. Sheriff Voorhies drove a wagon at night with Henry Northup to arrive early in the morning to identify Northup and was successful. Sheriff Voorhies was white.

It saddens me that race is even a factor. The Solomon Northup story is amazing. He endured 12 years as a slave and was set free by the justice system in Avoyelles Parish.

That should bring joy and honor to the citizens of Avoyelles not criticism. Many people today criticize our current justice system, and some of it is justified. Yet, on Jan. 4, 1853, our system worked to free an unlawfully enslaved man, in a parish and state that supported the horrible institution of slavery. Newspapers in New York celebrated and bragged about Avoyelles Parish.

So, when one questions why we have a statue of a black man on the front of our courthouse, you can tell them that liberty and justice won with the help of many people, and we are celebrating that fact.

Charles Riddle III
District Attorney
Avoyelles Parish 12th Judicial District