Candles in the Dark

Where in history should Americans look for help?

Attempted assassinations have a way of focusing the mind. I can only begin to imagine what Donald Trump has thought since his own life was nearly ended by a sniper’s bullet. I can only imagine the thoughts of those left behind by the victorious dead. I can only imagine the thoughts of those wounded. The participants. The rest of us.

My own mind is something I can speak about with some authority and I will attempt to do so now on the subject near and dear to my heart: history.

Historical moments passing by pull our gaze with them to the past moments before. This is an excellent quality in humans, but like anything we do is fraught with peril. As some of you may be aware, numerous writers on Substack have invoked comparisons to Spain near the beginning of her civil war, which commenced in July of 1936 after a failed military coup. While only an amateur on the subject myself I have slapped my forehead repeatedly at these exceedingly poor attempts at invoking history. These pieces have been, by and large, self serving sloganeering for this “movement” or that.

That’s all I have to say about that particular issue because instead I’m going to invoke history myself. And I’m going to do it better.

America is in a deep crisis. It is axiomatic to say so. The only question on our minds is likely, “What is to be done?” If you are not sure looking to history as a guide is always extremely helpful. However, you must be careful because as the other axiom goes: history doesn’t repeat itself, it rhymes.

So what should we look at to help us through troubled times? Next I will demonstrate my bias. It is important to do so you, dear reader, can weigh my words accurately for yourself.

We should only discuss American history, obviously. We are Americans, after all. Europe, Asia, and all the rest have little to say to us at this time. Even less that’s actually worthwhile. What about the ideologies? They are exhausted. Fascism, communism, and liberal democracy are dead or dying. In doing so they have corrupted every sphere of human knowledge from history to science to religion and everything in between. In short, we are adrift at sea with nothing but our ships and maps.

Where shall we go? To the lighthouse beacons of individuals. American sense of self is world famous in this regard. Rugged passionate individualism, rooted in a deep and moral sense of faith and wonder, is in our blood. If you’re American, you likely feel this instinctually. If you don’t? Well. This essay isn’t for you. Feel free to read of course, just know the intended audience.

My bias laid out best I can manage let us turn turn to the historical individuals I would invoke for the edification of you, your family, and community. These people will have several things in common. They are Americans. They are dead. They lived during a time of crisis. They did difficult things. Above all they are human; saints and devils in equal measure. Love them, hate them, have the proper mixture of both they teach us. I will name each and provide a brief description of why I think of them in times such as these.

Teddy Roosevelt - 26th president of the United States. Originally made famous for his exploits in the American West and Cuba during his lifetime he poured energies into the creation of the national parks, trust busting, and winning the Noble Peace Prize Peace for his efforts in ending the Russo-Japanese War. He also sent the Great White Fleet on its grand voyage.

Robert E. Lee - Confederate general during the American Civil War. Deciding to fight for his home state of Virginia above all, he led his armies with noble distinction. Perhaps the greatest commander in American history.

Ulysses S. Grant - 16th president and Union general during the American Civil War. His actions at Appomattox Court House negotiating the surrender of General Lee and his army are to be lauded. The war was over. They were brothers again.

Carl Sagan - American astronomer and science communicator famous for such works as Pale Blue Dot and the television miniseries Cosmos. Living during the Cold War he constantly reminds me of what is best and great in humanity. His role in the Voyager program and its legendary Golden Record is to be noted specifically.

U.S.S. Enterprise CV-6 - Rules, perhaps like history, are made to broken. Serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two “The Grey Ghost” is the most decorated ship in Navy history by a frankly astonishing margin. At one time the only active American carrier her crew posted a single message on the deck as engineers worked: ENTERPRISE VS. JAPAN.

Perhaps you presume I’ll now explain the deeper meaning and why these examples will show the way. That’s the neat part! I won’t. That’s up to you. Time is short, but time remains. It’s up to you to find the pearls and use them for your benefit. Why is that? No one knows your situation better than you do. What could I possibly say that would ring more true than your own investigations? Your own exploration? Your own battles.

Besides, maybe these individuals aren’t what you need. Perhaps there are better examples to be spoken of. This exercise is not a competition. At the end of the day I have faith you will find what you need and get the job done. Why? Because we’re Americans. This is what we do.

The journey is yours as well as mine. Once again we are adrift at sea in our ships staring at maps. Myself a single captain yelling at the top of his lungs across the waves.

Still worried about where to start?

Second star on the right. Straight on till morning. Now get moving, sailor.