it's apparent ... no one really cares

Before America rose from the ashes of war after shedding English rule, the initial “compass” had been a hastily concocted form of government known as the Articles of Confederation (AOCs). Thirteen States set on being united, yet independent, a controlling federal head being anathema, thus their union: A league of friendship. So disconnected, I wonder how many today even consider the upheavals the nation went through before the Constitution became law. Imagine the passion, the vitriol, the angst, the debates, to instill the governing document all laws emanating from are to find their basis in. The bitter divide between two factions: Federalist and Anti-Federalist. One side, keep the current government in place; correct the discrepancies. Their opinion of the Constitution: an instrument of tyranny! While the other side, just as adamant, only replace old for new:

A strong sense of the value and blessings of Union induced the people, at a very early period, to institute a Federal Government to preserve and perpetuate it. They formed it almost as soon as they had a political existence; nay, at a time when their habitations were in flames, when many of their citizens were bleeding, and when the progress of hostility and desolation left little room for those calm and mature inquiries and reflections which must ever precede the formation of a wise and well-balanced government for a free people. It is not to be wondered at, that a government instituted in times so inauspicious, should on experiment be found greatly deficient and inadequate to the purpose it was intended to answer. (Federalist 2)

And once the Constitution was ensconced, the attacks to dismantle began. Only, not from the original detractors, but within, by some who framed it. From the premise of Marbury v. Madison, through today, where a desire by government itself is to restructure the whole into an unrecognizable new. And once the deception is fully manifested; government will direct the nation to autarchy while rewriting the past till it represents the present. A reimagined British America rebirth and monarchy of sorts.

Historically, three wars would lay the path for the nation to be born (American Revolution), then prove itself workable (War of 1812), then survive (Civil War). Everything else, in and between, through today, an imperialist desire to either spread democracy around the globe or amass power as the government destroys the very ideals of a constitutional republic in the nation itself. But for better or worse, try to imagine some of the individuals, either side, involved in the Revolution. As well, the war would lay bare inherent problems in what was the newly formed Congress: power, money, and the inability to agree to accomplish anything. A familiar perspective reminiscent of those in power today.

Yet before revolutionary hostilities began, the words: Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Proclaimed by Patrick Henry, a slave holder, he would become an Anti-Federalist, one of many who stood against the Constitution. Then, while the Revolution was ongoing, the fledgling Continental Army was out everything’d by the British Army. But it did not stop those fighting to detract from their mission, even though their government kept them ill equipped, ill fed, poorly clothed. A fallacy of the AOCs; a glimpse of our tomorrow today. Worse, their fellow citizens who believed prosperity and safety was through the hands of a king and maintained loyalty to the crown by betraying those who fought against, even having neighbor put to death, making the Revolution, a civil war as well. But heart, desire and will propelled those who wanted: certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness (Declaration of Independence). Their love of freedom greater than another’s weight of oppression.

Then, during hostilities, one individual, Nathan Hale, his desire to serve country, placed himself in harm’s way to help support the aspiring nation’s cause. He knew, if caught, he would knowingly surrender his life by hanging. His supposed last words: My only regret is that I have but one life to give for my country. At twenty-two, he was apprehended. Nathan surrendered life at the hands of those he was willing to fight to be free from, to be part of establishing a new government in place of British rule. As I read his story, I’ve often wondered: Could I be a Nathan Hale?

While the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, Patriots froze, starved, and died. Their newly formed government complicit in the atrocity. In the devastation, some deserted so they could find food and clothing, knowing if caught, they’d die by the hands of their own country for desiring life over death. But if the Continental Army failed in its mission, they would have been labeled traitors. But after all the hardships, in the end, the newly formed nation prevailed. America won its freedom from England, albeit forced to prove itself again in 1812. Another war for independence in the not-too-distant future.

But history is always soon forgotten. Today, it’s apparent, most could care less about the past, the sacrifice of others to bring forward our freedom and liberty, willing to surrender like Loyalist as opposed to standing as Patriots. Worse, those living who have not bothered to learn intent, or history, or were not taught in school, the national betrayal overarching. They have no idea of what those before even undertook to give us, their posterity, the country others died to obtain. A juxtaposition of history repeating at the hands of those currently elected to serve, defend, and protect.

So, while I watch my nation devolve, the fabric so many sacrificed to weave together being torn apart, I’m saddened. Why would anyone not love their country? Their government, understandable as power begets, but WE THE PEOPLE? We were supposed to restrain what has become unrestrainable, perverted, corrupt. The very things Anti-Federalist railed against, we’ve allowed, while even a Federalist claimed: It’s a Republic if you can keep it. We didn’t. So, to look rearview, it’s hard to imagine the emotions most felt when the nation was crumbling under the AOCs, those either for or against, while we allow our destruction unabated. I’ll never understand why there is no emotional desire today to save the nation, and why no one looks back to see forward.

Even Patrick Henry, part of his angst over the Constitution, government becoming exactly what it has become; too powerful, too centralized, tyrannical. He was one, able to see our future, representative of his past, clearly visualizing what we are blind to: oppression. Yet, where the Constitution’s Framers wanted to abolish slavery, the action would be a conundrum to others, requiring compromise to hold the nation together. Patrick, being a slave holder, even though he called it a “lamentable evil,” would never free those he held in captivity. His freedom more important than theirs. Or a way of life the anthesis of ours. So, by today’s standards, the desire to judge the past by the present, is he not more white supremacist than patriot? And shouldn’t he be stricken from the annals of American history like the Civil War monuments at West Point? The desire to rewrite or restructure the past to fit the present so prevalent.

Throughout the nation’s history many have fought and died. Some for altruistic reasons, others for reasons only they knew. Their grave holding the answers to their cause. Although, during the Revolution, there was one who initially helped lead the fight, then openly betrayed his country, Benedict Arnold. His willingness to surrender West Point to the British, a treasonous act, punishable by death. Only one British Major, John Andre, an accomplice in the attempt, at twenty-nine, hanged instead. Benedict’s personal desires and ambitions outweighing his sworn duty. In the process, he allowed another to pay the price he himself should have paid while he escaped to England into oblivion.

Three men, for different reasons, sacrificed their lives. Two for country, albeit different sides, one for personal gain. Benedict, no different than those serving the legislative, executive, and judicial branches today, betrayed his oath, and ran when the deception failed. Like those in power who continue to steal the nation’s greatness to deposit what they can in their “Judas” accounts. Nathan Hale sacrificed his life for a country that has violated itself. And John Andre would have escaped death if Benedict had surrendered. So, in retrospect, could I be a Nathan Hale, or even a John Andre? Depends; but my only thought respective of them based on current ideological trends: they both surrendered life for nothing.

In a nation unraveling, ignorance is bliss. Only, whose ignorance for whose bliss while old becomes new again. The vicious cycle of history repeating, and people being expendable for a cause, like Nathan and John. So, while history continues to unfold, and the deception to change America mounts: Can the nation survive in the ashes of a burned downed Constitution? Then wondering: were Anti-Federalist’s, right? One can only hope others will take the time to learn, but also ask: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?”