Is a Second American Civil War Coming to a Neighborhood Near You?

Battle of Gettysburg - July 1 -3, 1863

On July 3, 2018. I posted an article, “Is America Barreling into Another Civil War.” Recent events have caused me to wonder if it is inevitable. Has the political left living within our nation become so violent that the only way to stop them is with equal or more lethal violence. I pray this is not the case because we are all God’s children and nothing breaks His heart more than to see His kids failing to be kind to one another. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any on the political left who want to engage in civil discourse, only radical civil disobedience, civil disturbances, civil unrest, civil riots, civil violence, civil insurrection, all which leads to civil war. 

In my July 3^rdarticle (linked here), I offered three parallel comparison pieces of historical to contemporary evidence that are stirring the passions of the uninformed. In summary: Democrat leaders reacted childishly to the election of a Republican President and sowed the seeds of rebellion and infuriated their constituents. The news media present one-sided stories to inflame their readers, listeners, or viewers. And last, clamoring masses seek endlessly for any partly legitimate reason to incite a violent response from their perceived political enemies.

Let me be clear. Those of us who voted for and still support President Donald J. Trump and his commitment to follow the principles and values of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution are not your enemy. We are your fellow citizens who uphold the foundational doctrines of our nation: 1) All men are created equal; 2) We are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights; and 3) The just powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed. You who disagree with the 2016 election may not consent, but rebellion is not the answer. The recent acts of your fellow, “Resist,” members may make news headlines (summary item # 2 above), but it does nothing to promote open dialogue between differing world views. Scaling the Statue of Liberty and preventing people from visiting our national symbol, doesn’t offer a solution to our immigration problem. It demonstrates that the individual may have sincere feelings, but is greatly misinformed and lacks good judgment. Attempting to sell, “Impeach 45,” apparel in our retail stores does not stimulate honest, intellectual debate. However, it does promote mindless chanting. It fails to improve our economy or provide long term career opportunities for people who are beginning to find meaningful employment, again, thanks to deregulation of our businesses and cutting personal and corporate income taxes.

Finally, the Federal bureaucracy continues to operate as a shadow government. Because they are unelected, unaccountable, and ideologically impassioned to stop President Trump from succeeding, I pray for our president’s safety and the safety of his family. These Washington insiders have the access, the means, the motive, and probably the will to assassinate our president who is doing everything he can to reestablish the Federal government on Constitutional principles and values – something the left and the deep state operatives reject. Without substantiating proof, they reject as lies the three doctrines of God given individual liberty stated above. I want to be clear. I embrace these doctrines because I believe in the fatherhood of Almighty God and the brotherhood of man. I trust in His word that we are all created in His divine image, and we are all partakers of His divine spirit. You have no quarrel from us who follow His Spirit. Why then do you rage? Why are you provoking a second civil war?

I will address this subject at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference, when I present a workshop titled, “America at the Crossroads.” And I, with my class, will be seeking God for solutions so that we can bridge the gap between what divides us as a people, and reunite us as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

If you agree with this post, please share it with your friends. If you would like to participate in my workshop, if you believe God is calling you to write for His purposes, and if you need encouragement to carry out His calling, I believe you’ll gain, immeasurably by attending the wonderful Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference, where Jesus is exulted above all. There is still time to register by following this link: Register.

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies

I thought it would be a good idea to read The Declaration of Independence, today. Why? There are many reasons. One that comes to mind, King George of Great Britain, 243 years ago, behaved much like the unelected and unaccountable Federal bureaucracy does. The Progressive Masterminds reject what our Founding Fathers knew be the truth. If it is the truth, Americans need to read it, understand it, and hold fast to it as if their lives depend on it. The men who signed America’s foundation cornerstone, knew they were signing their death warrants. I wonder if we have the clarity, conviction, and courage to sign it. I chose to fix my signature to my printed copy. If you love God's gift of Individual Liberty, I pray you consider doing the same.

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776

The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit ofHappiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. 

1.     He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. 

2.     He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. 

3.     He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. 

4.     He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. 

5.     He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. 

6.     He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. 

7.     He has endeavoredto prevent the population of these States; for that purpose, obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. 

8.     He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. 

9.     He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

10.  He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance. 

11.  He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures. 

12.  He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. 

13.  He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: 

14.  For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: 

15.  For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: 

16.  For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: 

17.  For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: 

18.  For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: 

19.  For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: 

20.  For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboringProvince, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: 

21.  For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: 

22.  For suspending our own Legislatures and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

23.  He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. 

24.  He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 

25.  He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. 

26.  He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. 

27.  He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoredto bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. 

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. 

 

New Hampshire	Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts	John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island	Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut	Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York	William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey	Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania	Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware	Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland	Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia	George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina	William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina	Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia	Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

July 4^th 2019 Signatures: If you read this far and you agree with our founders, will you Comment below and add your State and name to the list of delegates like I did.

Colorado: Charles Patricoff

Is America Barreling into Another Civil War?

Today is July 3, 2018. I wanted to remember the Battle of Gettysburg fought 155 years ago, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion for liberty. I believe if we refuse to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Because I see so many parallels between then and now, I am wondering if America is free-falling into a second, bloodier, civil war.

Pickett's Charge - July 3, 1863

19 years ago, (and for many years thereafter), I taught the American Civil War at Colorado Christian University. The topic I chose for the final student essay was, “Will America Face a Second Civil War?” Most students made the case it could never happen. A few said it was inevitable and offered supporting rationale. If I asked the same question today, would the numbers be reversed?

I will broach this subject at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference, when I present a workshop titled, “America at the Crossroads.” Since I first asked students to consider this potential conflict, we’ve seen many changes to our nation’s landscape. History will decide if these changes have been good or bursting with menacing unintended consequences. For example, 20 years ago, when I would walk my dog in the park, I heard English spoken. Today, only Spanish. Then, the park would be clean after a weekend full of activities. Today, homeless people camp there and trash is strewn everywhere. Then, people respected the, “No Smoking,” signs. Today, the stench of marijuana fills the air. Is this the progress Socialists, Democrats, and Progressives cherish? I suppose they do.

In addition to the social decline above, I see many parallels between the Antebellum period and today. The common rifts are too numerous to mention, but I offer a few.

1.     In the late 1850’s, the Democrat Party controlled much of the Federal government until Abraham Lincoln was elected president on November 6, 1860 (remember this date). The Democrats were infuriated and behaved childishly. The self-righteous Democrat leaders throughout the Southern states sowed the seeds of rebellion. Six weeks after the election, the state legislature of South Carolina voted on December 20, 1860 to secede from the Union. Does anyone see any similarity between the Democrat controlled South Carolina and the Democrat controlled California? Are there any differences between Democrat Senators Jefferson Davis and Chuck Schumer or Democrat Representatives Preston Brooks and Maxine Waters?

2.     Newspapers printed inflammatory stories that heated the passions of the populace on both sides of the regional conflict. As historian James McPherson noted in his book Battle Cry of Freedom, the media then contributed to localized outbursts of violence throughout the nation. Today, the Democrat controlled media preaches violent rhetoric against President Trump and all who support him. Now that President Trump can appoint another Supreme Court Justice, media leaders like Michael Moore have called for a million-person march on Washington, DC to surround the capital building and prevent senators from granting consent to the president’s nominee. Does this improve civil discourse?

3.     The first shots of the four-year bloody conflict were fired by Democrats. An argument can be made that President Lincoln provoked the April 12, 1861 bombardment of Fort Sumter. Regardless, I believe the Democrat led, Federal bureaucracy conspired, Robert Mueller investigation is being conducted to give Democrats ammunition to fire first again, especially if they lose congressional seats this November 6^th. I believe shots will be fired much sooner than the five months it took for the Democrats to pull the lanyard at Charleston Harbor.

This Second American Civil War won’t be regional; it will be bloody. The great divide in America today is deeper and wider because it is rooted in the irreconcilable difference between individual liberty against collective tyranny. Are all men created equal as stated in The Declaration of Independence, or are the pedigree, mastermind few more equal than others? If the Democrat controlled media has anything to do with it, the decision may soon be forced upon us all. Remember this aspect about journalism; if it bleeds it leads (and sells).

If you agree with this post, please share it with your friends. If you would like to participate in my workshop, if you believe God is calling you to write for His purposes, and if you need encouragement to carry out His calling, I believe you’ll gain, immeasurably by attending the wonderful Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference, where Jesus is exulted above all. There is still time to register by following this link: Register.

Has America Passed a Tipping Point?

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to talk with some college bound young people about the workshop I’ll be teaching at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference. When I shared with them the topic title, “America at the Crossroads,” I was met with blank stares. Even though my presentation has nothing to do with the 2018 elections this November, I asked them if they knew it was an election year. One person asked in response, “It is?” Knowing that our education system – I refer to it as our indoctrination system – has failed our young people, I asked them a fundamental question. “What does it mean to be an American?” Unsurprisingly, no one answered.

As a historian, I would wager that not many people can offer a rational response to that question, even folks born and raised in this unique nation. I know the 14^thAmendment to the Unites States Constitution says, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Even the Constitution fails to answer my question. I was happy to receive a positive response to my questions, “What does the 4^thof July mean?” And, “Who was our first president.” But not one of these young people could give context to why we declared our independence, from whom, or why the Revolutionary War was fought.

I then asked, if they ever read or heard the Declaration of Independence, and one young lady said, she wasn’t sure, and a young man asked, “Isn’t it about freedom?” Then I answered, “Yes and no.” I said, “Tell me if you’ve ever heard this.” I recited, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal,” and I stopped right there. They had all heard those words, for which I had a fleeting moment of gratitude. I said, “This statement, ‘all men are created equal,’ is either the truth, or it’s a lie. Today, you will hear clever people say, ‘Well, those are nice words, but some people are more equal than others.’” They all laughed and nodded their agreement. I stated, both cannot be true, and these words cannot be considered, “Nice.” The statement either is or is not the truth. 

America was founded on this cornerstone, “All men are created equal.” President Abraham Lincoln restated it in his Gettysburg Address when he said, “Our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Americans by the thousands gave their lives believing that this is the truth. God created all human beings equal and free and in His eyes, everyone has value – no one is more equal or has more value than another. No other nation has as its foundation stone this truth. This is what is unique, this is what is exceptional, this is what it means to be an American. An American is willing to lay down his life for a complete stranger to have the chance at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

If you agree with this post, please share it with your friends. If you would like to participate in my workshop, if you believe God is calling you to write for His purposes, and if you need encouragement to carry out His calling, I believe you’ll gain, immeasurably by attending the wonderful Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference, where Jesus is exulted above all. There is still time to register by following this link: Register.