unconscious influence

   I love to believe that no heroic sacrifice is ever lost; that the characters of men are molded and inspired by what their fathers have done; that treasured up in American souls are all the unconscious influences of the great deeds of the Anglo-Saxon race, from Agincourt to Bunker Hill. It was such an influence that led a young Greek, two thousand years ago, when musing on the battle of Marathon, to exclaim, “the trophies of Miltiades will not let me sleep!” Could these men be silent in 1861; these, whose ancestors had felt the inspiration of battle on every field where civilization had fought in the last thousand years? Read their answer in this green turf. Each for himself gathered up the cherished purposes of life—its aims and ambitions, its dearest affections—and flung all, with life itself, into the scale of battle.  

Those words are a portion of a speech given by James a Garfield. The speech was given at Arlington National Cemetery May 30, 1868. At that time Garfield was a Congressman from Ohio. He had fought in the Civil war attaining the rank of major General. Twice he distinguished himself in battle. The words he spoke came from experience and I believe from the heart. In 1880 he was elected president. He was a Republican. Upon assuming office their was friction among the Republican party, not unlike what we are seeing today. There were those expecting "favors" and special consideration for their support. That wasn't limited to just those in office at the time but to civilian supporters as well. Just four months into his administration he was shot, by an insane man that was disgruntled because he hadn't been given a position. After being captured and interviewed this man stated he thought his action would, unite the republican party. 

 I include that bit of history for background. Not much changes in the world of politics, or war. That is just one paragraph from that speech. In reading it these words jumped out at me, " that treasured up in American souls are all the unconscious influences of the great deeds of the Anglo-Saxon race." Given todays rhetoric and the ongoing narrative about the Anglo-Saxon people: think white people: I couldn't help but think what would be said about that speech if it were given today. Gail King and her ilk would have a field day. But what they, and others would not understand about that, is what exactly Garfield was talking about. Garfield was talking about doing what was right.

 In our founding documents it is declared that all men are created equal. Garfield was in support of that. Remember Garfield was a General in the Union forces fighting to preserve the Republic. That was the true reason for the war, not any attempt to preserve slavery. Slavery had been declared an immoral , unjust, and abhorrent institution from the very beginning! Yes it was southern Democrats that pressed the issue to the point of all out war. Still for the first two years of that war the goal was to preserve the union above all else. Compromise was offered but rejected at every turn. After all other means had been exhausted, thousands of lives lost, it was decided. Their would be no peace, no end to the war until the south surrendered unconditionally. Slavery would be abolished forever! That "unconscious influence of the great deeds of the Anglo-Saxon race" had manifested itself! Freedom was at hand, at all cost. That is what Garfield was talking about. He was honoring all those laid to rest at Arlington, and around the nation, not just Anglo-Saxons.

 Garfield in his speech was not attempting to place the Anglo-Saxon race above any other. He was speaking on historical context. He was speaking of lessons learned from history. That the United States had been founded by Anglo-Saxons is not a point of contention, it is a point in fact. That the land was taken by conquest is indisputable. We must remember in 1880 sensibilities were quite a bit different, but history was not. History was unchanged then just as it is today. There is no shame in acknowledging the accomplishments of your race. Notice Garfield said, Anglo-Saxons, not white people. Anglo-Saxons come from England, the British Empire. They are comprised of many ethnic groups that came together and assimilated into what Garfield and less frequently these days, we call Anglo-Saxons. 

 And so on Memorial Day we will remember all those that lost their lives in defense of freedom. For it wasn't just the Civil war that preserved the Republic, it the breath and blood of every one that has served. Yes, we will remember those that fell, those that as Lincoln so eloquently stated, gave their last full measure of devotion. All men are equal in death! Let us never forget that bit of "unconscious influence" upon the Anglo-Saxon race.