Below is NOT a history lesson.
This short missive is a lesson in reality—the reality now smacking us across our heads like a 2X4.
In 1838, at the age of 28, Abraham Lincoln gave an address to a group of young men gathered in Springfield, Illinois.
His speech was titled "The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions."
The specific topic of Lincoln's speech was citizenship in a constitutional republic and threats to U.S. institutions.
In the speech, Lincoln discussed in glowing terms the political regime established by the Founding Fathers, but warned of a destructive force from within.
He said:
“Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never!
All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted), in their military chest, with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years.”
Lincoln then asked the audience (this is the important part):
“At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected?”
Lincoln answered his own question:
“If it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide.”
If Lincoln could see this at the ripe old age of 28, nearly 185 years ago, why can’t a large chunk of American citizens not see this?
Our nation’s “destruction” is NOT due to overseas threats, it’s principally due to our own complacency as citizens.
For our constitutional republic to prevail, for our institutions to NOT collapse from within, citizens must get involved.
I implore those that read this, to discuss with your families, your churches, your local clubs, your communities, your elected officials, any willing to listen, that the time is now to recognize what President Lincoln stated 22 years before he became POTUS, that our demise will NOT be from without, but from within.
In his well known and eloquent oratory style, Lincoln was reminding those attending his speech that Local Action as citizens mattered then as it matters now.
The time is now to stand up, step up, and speak up!
🦅🙏🏼🇺🇸
