A Civil War Analogy for Those not Planning to Vote for Trump
A Civil War analogy for this election. Especially for those reluctant or not planning to vote for Trump.
"The speech that rekindled loyalty and arguably won the US Civil War... Was not the Gettysburg address, it was the speech that Colonel Chamberlain gave to a large group of deserters that had been given to him the day before the biggest battle of the entire war. He desperately needed them to join his Northern Maine regiment for the upcoming battle."
"...in that battle many historians agree that it was Colonel Chamberlain’s holding of Little Round Top that won the day, and was the turning point in the whole war, in favor of the North." Robert E. Lee carried with him terms of Union surrender to take to Lincoln in Washington if he won the battle.
By the time of the battle, Col. Joshua Chamberlain’s Maine regiment had been reduced from 1000 at the beginning of the war to less than 300. The 120 Maine deserters from another regiment had suffered terribly in battle, and under poor leadership. Colonel Chamberlain approached all of the deserters just after they arrived, and spoke to them together, as a group. He spoke eloquently of the great cause they were fighting for, and its unique place in history. Here is a transcript, and a link to the movie clip.
He concluded with “Gentlemen, I think if we lose this fight, we lose the war. So if you choose to join us [take up arms], I’ll be personally very grateful.”
114 out of 120 deserters joined with the regiment immediately, and another 4 joined up later. They withstood multiple enemy charges, and having run out of ammunition, on the next enemy charge, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet countercharge. Here is the stirring re-enactment – I get chills every time I see it. Better yet, watch the whole movie.
And so they held the left flank of the entire Union army, which otherwise would have spelled disaster. It changed the course of the war, and our country, due in good measure to those deserters taking up arms.
Boy Scouts of America uses this great example of leadership in its Venturing Leadership Skills Course (VLSC) – the boys are always greatly impressed. I don’t know if it played any role in my nephew entering the Air Force Academy.
As a PS to that story, Chamberlain was selected as the leader of the honor guard reviewing Lee's surrendering forces at Appomattox, and accepting their surrendered arms. He did it in a most noble and respectful way.
Explanation of the Analogy
To explain the analogy, in case it’s not clear, we are, as Dennis Prager & others have said, basically in a fight for our country’s soul and destiny. The Left has done so much damage in its “transformation of America” over the last 8 years, that another 4 or 8 years will likely be irreversible, if it’s not already too late. Damage economically (staggering debt, stifling regulations), to our health care system, to our military, to our freedoms (religious, 1st & 2nd Amendment, etc.) through court decisions by Left appointees, to our security by disastrous international decisions and deals, etc.
In other words, this may be the critical battle like Gettysburg – if we lose this one, the country will be changed forever for the worse. Voters withholding a vote from Trump, or voting 3rd party, will likely give the election to Hillary and the Left, which will result in Hillarycare (and you think Obamacare is bad?), more debt (free college tuition, other entitlements), more erosion of rights (incl. religious) by 1-4 Supreme Court appointments and many lower court appointments, further terrible decisions in international relations and our military, etc.
We need every conservative-minded voter to “take up arms & join the fight,” rather than deserting, by voting for Trump. He’s clearly flawed, but the results will be much more disastrous if Hillary is elected. Despite his flaws, he’s made good choices so far, with Pence, his Supreme Court list, some substantial policy speeches, etc. In many good organizations, there are some flawed leaders. But our loyalties should not be to individuals, but to causes. If the cause is just, we need to support the cause by supporting those who have a realistic, “fighting” chance. I, and our fellow and future children & countrymen, will be very grateful.
PS for Utah: You likely remember hearing how many evangelicals refused to vote for Romney in 2012, despite his other excellent character qualities & principles & accomplishments, due to his lack of theological purity. Some even feel that they may have made the difference in the election – throwing it to Obama. There is resentment towards them because of that, and even they may have regrets, having seen the disastrous last 8 years. But are you in Utah who plan to vote for McMullin any better than those purist evangelicals? You reject Trump because of his lack of moral purity (though the allegations against him are far short of adultery) or ideological purity. But if Hillary wins because Trump falls 5 electoral votes short due to Utah going for McMullin, don’t you think the rest of the country’s conservatives will blame you? How will that look? How will you feel for contributing to what would likely be an irreversible decline of this country? You may feel morally superior in the short term personally, but you and your children will likely have long term regrets and consequences. Think of the greater good. God can and often has used imperfect men as leaders.
I love your reference to Colonel Chamberlain. You have a gift for expressing and explaining a concept in terms we all should be able to understand. I too hope we win this fight.
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