Then & Now... Thoughts upon reading, by Rebecca Moll, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
It is interesting that in our great nation's history, one of the most pivotal events that has shaped what and who we are today, as Americans, can be traced back to failure.
On March 4th, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was before the Senate. Rising out of settlers in Kansas and Nebraska, calling upon Congress to grant them territorial status, it once again awakened the sleeping dragon, the issue of slavery. Stephen Douglas, a Democrat, argued for self-governing, as proposed in the Kansas-Nebraska act, voiding the established Missouri Compromise, forbidding slavery in this vast, new territory. It also, wiggled the thorn-in-the-side issue of fugitive slaves and the act that required/legalized returning them to their rightful owner. To many, to prize was preventing a division of north and south, even if doing so, continued the institution of slavery.
Progress is painful and painfully slow.
The ebb and flow of the slavery issue in American politics was a constant dynamic during the mid-1800s, that made and destroyed political careers. Walking the tightrope of popular opinion, erstwhile retaining one's own moral values, was tricky and dangerous indeed.
If the Kansas-Nebraska Act passed, it would be legal for those governing themselves in the new territory to own slaves. The fate of millions of black salves, the institution itself, rested with the persuasion of American political arguments.
To Act was expected, by many, to fail.
To the horror of many, the Act passed.
Yet, this halt to progress, this huge leap backwards, this unexpected slap in the face, was a catalyst, a thrust of power, a zeal to those on the side of the slaves. Most importantly, to a gangley, backwoods lawyer with modest success in American politics, Abraham Lincoln.
Sometimes, when the door slams shut, the sheer force of that effort, recoils it back open again.
I wonder if the Kansas-Nebraska Act had failed to pass, a sure win for the anti-slavery movement, would the momentum have lagged once again, the north returned to the comfort of their free lives, and the course of our history permanently altered?
If the said door closed effortlessly, with little force, would it have gone unnoticed, garnered little attention, bearing little effect on the resolution of one of our most grievous social issues? A gently closed door is quickly rendered inert. Closed with such little force, it would open again with little force.
Newton's third law is: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
It is on such foundations of struggle/failure that one overcomes that which once was deemed insurmountable/impossible.
I do not advocate failure; however, I do see merit in a road less direct, when the much-needed slap in the face, the zeal to press on, ever more so, leads to new found passion and purpose.
I am sure one can parallel our own, many, failed political issues today to this moment in history. 163 years later, we are still yearning for progress, fighting for rights, and licking our wounds.
What great can you achieve by losing? What loss can you re-invent as success?
It is in turning around, that the boat is tacked, the course reversed, and the wind captured in the sails.
Only on page 171 of 757 pages, I have much sea to cover.
Time to set sail, my friends.
On March 4th, 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was before the Senate. Rising out of settlers in Kansas and Nebraska, calling upon Congress to grant them territorial status, it once again awakened the sleeping dragon, the issue of slavery. Stephen Douglas, a Democrat, argued for self-governing, as proposed in the Kansas-Nebraska act, voiding the established Missouri Compromise, forbidding slavery in this vast, new territory. It also, wiggled the thorn-in-the-side issue of fugitive slaves and the act that required/legalized returning them to their rightful owner. To many, to prize was preventing a division of north and south, even if doing so, continued the institution of slavery.
Progress is painful and painfully slow.
The ebb and flow of the slavery issue in American politics was a constant dynamic during the mid-1800s, that made and destroyed political careers. Walking the tightrope of popular opinion, erstwhile retaining one's own moral values, was tricky and dangerous indeed.
If the Kansas-Nebraska Act passed, it would be legal for those governing themselves in the new territory to own slaves. The fate of millions of black salves, the institution itself, rested with the persuasion of American political arguments.
To Act was expected, by many, to fail.
To the horror of many, the Act passed.
Yet, this halt to progress, this huge leap backwards, this unexpected slap in the face, was a catalyst, a thrust of power, a zeal to those on the side of the slaves. Most importantly, to a gangley, backwoods lawyer with modest success in American politics, Abraham Lincoln.
Sometimes, when the door slams shut, the sheer force of that effort, recoils it back open again.
I wonder if the Kansas-Nebraska Act had failed to pass, a sure win for the anti-slavery movement, would the momentum have lagged once again, the north returned to the comfort of their free lives, and the course of our history permanently altered?
If the said door closed effortlessly, with little force, would it have gone unnoticed, garnered little attention, bearing little effect on the resolution of one of our most grievous social issues? A gently closed door is quickly rendered inert. Closed with such little force, it would open again with little force.
Newton's third law is: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
It is on such foundations of struggle/failure that one overcomes that which once was deemed insurmountable/impossible.
I do not advocate failure; however, I do see merit in a road less direct, when the much-needed slap in the face, the zeal to press on, ever more so, leads to new found passion and purpose.
I am sure one can parallel our own, many, failed political issues today to this moment in history. 163 years later, we are still yearning for progress, fighting for rights, and licking our wounds.
What great can you achieve by losing? What loss can you re-invent as success?
It is in turning around, that the boat is tacked, the course reversed, and the wind captured in the sails.
Only on page 171 of 757 pages, I have much sea to cover.
Time to set sail, my friends.
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