'In God We Trust' bill sparks House debate over Francis Scott Key

An Alabama House bill over the motto “In God We Trust” sparked a lengthy discussion about the racial attitudes of the composer of the National Anthem Tuesday.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, would allow officials to display “In God We Trust” on public buildings. Though it was not clear if there are laws banning that display, the legislation passed 91 to 4.

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But the passage came only after more than two hours of debate, not all of it related to the bill. Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Birmingham, speaking in support of the legislation, noted the phrase derives from the little-sung fourth stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key. Mooney also spoke at length about Key representing a group of slaves brought over on the slave ship Antelope in the 1820s and suggested he reflected the values of the country.

That drew the attention of black legislators, who noted that Key was a slaveholder who prosecuted abolitionists in the 1830s. Legislators also pointed out the little-sung third stanza of the National Anthem includes words that appear to celebrate the deaths of former slaves who enlisted with the British, and quoted Key’s attitudes toward blacks.

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“He said that African-Americans 'were a distinct and inferior race of people which all experience proves is the greatest evil that afflicts the community,’” said Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery.

Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, a Vietnam veteran, said bringing up Key was divisive.

“Every individual in this house knew what he stood for,” he said. “It’s bad. We don’t need this type of division in this house.”

Democrats said it was important to make the historic record clear.

“You would think a member of the Alabama Legislature would know history,” said Rep. Ralph Howard, D-Greensboro. “That’s why we’re up here.”