Mob rule and a free society cannot coexist
Take some time to absorb Abraham Lincoln's timely wisdom
In light of the recent news that an insurrectionist attempted to assassinate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh at his home (to which Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) shamefully says, “No big deal!”); instances of insane, random violence like this; and the 2020 “Summer of Love” (who could forget?), I thought I’d bring to everyone’s attention Abraham Lincoln’s masterful Lyceum Address, on the existential threat that mob rule poses to a free society.
Instead of reading whatever I, just some guy on the internet, might produce regarding this issue, I invite you to take some time to learn from a true statesman; incredibly, the speech was given by Lincoln when he was just 28 years old (and . . . now I feel like I haven’t accomplished nearly enough; thanks, Abe). Here’s an excerpt:
The question recurs, “how shall we fortify against [mob rule]?” The answer is simple. Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;—let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap—let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs;—let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars.
Until next week,
DAK
Well... I wouldn't fetishize compliance with the law. The rule of law is a key pillar of civilization. No doubt about that. There is a time and place to disobey the law, however. When we do so, in my opinion we should EXPECT to be punished, maybe even demand it, and wear that punishment as a badge of honor, assuming the act of civil disobedience fulfilled some higher purpose. The problem with the Dems is that they really don't think laws should apply to them, or to those they like. Now THAT is dangerous.
Very interesting, Deion, particularly given the source. I wonder how this fits with Catholic teaching about unjust laws? Lincoln's statements here would seem to leave little if any room for civil disobedience. Of course, in relation to laws about murder and rioting, it all makes a great deal of sense! Thank you for sharing.