American Idol or American Ideal? - Prophetic Words from 1863

Today I am greatly humbled. And inspired. In contemplating the significance of the Fourth of July, I decided to reread the Civil War letters bequeathed to me from my grandfather, Charles M. Brown, Jr., from his grandfather, First Lieutenant Matthew C. Brown and his brother, Captain John C. Brown.

Their correspondence to their parents in Oswego, N.Y. epitomized everything it means to be a TRUE AMERICAN. Patriotism, endurance, selflessness, ability to endure extreme hardship without complaint, and an undying love of family and freedom.

One of the passages written by Captain John C. Brown, to his parents, from Camp Patterson, Missouri - is as true today as it was the day it was written in 1862 - 147 years ago.

Time works great changes in nations as well as individuals. How great the changes which have occurred in the nation in the brief period of my absence. When I parted you, it was a peaceful prosperous and united Republic. The mind and muscle of our country were then engaged in such pursuits as contribute to the happiness of the human race. Now they are engaged in human slaughter. Our country is distracted, our government assailed by traitors, civil liberty is struggling against the demon of despotism. This is why your sons are in the “tented field.” Thank God they possess the manly hearts to meet the foe in defense of a government to which they owe their protection. Better to die manfully contending for the right than to live the life of craven, surrounded with the luxuries and comfort of a king.

Quite simply, we have grown soft. We’ve been distracted by all that glitters. Our economic collapse, not to mention moral decay, is proof enough to anyone that will look past their nose. If we take just a moment to reflect upon the heroics and moral standards of our ancestors, perhaps we can regain our perspective. Perhaps then they will not have died in vain. It is time we return our attention to the things that made this country great, not what makes us “feel good.”

Below is another passage from Captain Brown, in a letter he wrote on March 24, 1863 while on board Steamer Nevada, below Vicksburg, Mississippi. He died shortly thereafter in the Battle at Milliken’s Bend, Louisiana on June 7, 1863. It was his eighth year in battle.

Dear Parents:

I would like to hear from the Potomac Boys (his brothers). I hope they will have good health and fortune and be faithful soldiers. Whenever you write to them, let your letters be as cheerful and encouraging as possible. Nothing sustains a soldier better then contentment, and content comes generally from the encouraging letters of friends and relatives at home. The young soldier especially is buoyed up by the influence of cheer and encouragement from the parental home. Always show the boys the brightest side of the picture. I have seen the spirits of fine boys broken in this regiment by whining letters from their parents. If we have our heart in the cause, we don’t feel half the pangs of the campaign. While we may at time be hungry, cold, wet, fatigued, we look forward through surrounding gloom to bright sunshine in the future, and we are nerved up to meet the bitter emergencies of the times. Our soldiers are not suffering anything like the soldiers of the Revolution did. The prospect to us is bright compared with what they had before them in their struggle; still they fought cheerfully and triumphed. They made a free government. We know its worth. Certainly we should not make a lighter sacrifice to preserve freedom then they did to establish it.

Prophetic Words

These words proved prophetic. They bring home (pun intended) the dismal fact that we, as Americans, have lost our way. It is a hard truth. For far too long we have taken the easy route. We have taken ourselves to the brink. It has been much easier to stick our heads in the sand than to ask the hard questions. We are far more interested in American Idol than the American Ideal.

We need to believe again that one voice can change things. One person can make a difference. Why have we abandoned that belief? Let’s concentrate on what is important. Choosing to live any other way betrays the generations that have fought for our freedom. Our beliefs.

Let’s start today. They would have wanted it that way.

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