On Revolutionary Thoughts & John Tyler

True revolution is hard to achieve. It takes discipline. It takes years of connectivity. It takes the development of skills, resources, and networks. It is not the result of emotionally driven moments in time. It is not triggered by memes or noteworthy articles. It is the result of years of hard work and organizing while avoiding the incumbent power structure’s grasp. In some cases, it requires allowing oneself to fall into an incumbent power’s grasp to better develop leaders and networks. Eventually, revolutions begin when someone in the group asks, “Are we going to really do this?” and the mass response is, “Yes.” That is true of the Irish Revolution of 1918 – 1921, the Russian Revolution of 1917 – 1923, the Iranian Revolution of 1978 – 1979, the French Revolution of 1789 – 1799, and of course, the American Revolution of 1775 – 1783.

Revolutions are not easy to accomplish. They can be quickly crushed and forgotten over time. The motivations of the revolutionaries can be rewritten by the victors as traitorous if they fail. The South attempted a revolution, and its high-water mark was achieved 160 years ago today, when the Army of Northern Virginia began its retreat from Gettysburg. Tragically, the pro-collectivist powers defeated the pro-states’ rights forces, and today we suffer the indignities of this rapidly decomposing United States.

Some old men will attempt to kill a revolution in its infancy, arguing for measured responses even when they agree to the general plight of their younger cohorts. Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Griffith (Sinn Fein) are examples of older men who sought peaceful means rather than war. Other old men will encourage action, often as a function of their personal last blow at a regime they despise. This can go positively or negatively, depending on circumstance. But revolution requires young bodies and mature leadership.

Generally, the most successful revolutions occur when a large body of combat trained persons feel disenfranchised by the current regime and they enjoy leaders who can set aside their egos to lead in a measured way. Such revolutionary leaders are rare. In fact, they are almost impossible to find. For every one George Washington, there are thousands of Stewart Rhodes.

In 1848, “Young Irelander” rebels chose not to await William Smith O’Brien and Thomas Francis Meagher’s attempts at careful planning and preparation, including diplomatic overtures to England’s continental rivals. Swept up by the fervor of socialist revolutions throughout Europe, they chose to strike without proper discipline. The result was disastrous. The leaders, to include O’Brien and Meagher, were eventually exiled, only to return to levels of prominence years later. Thomas Meagher would ultimately betray his nationalist, self-governing beliefs by ascending to a Brigadier General of the 69^th New York Militia during the War Between the States.

John Mitchel, considered one of the most passionate leaders of the 1848 Irish Rebellion, advocated for the freedom of an “agrarian people” from a people “driven by greed.” Exiled in the aftermath of the failed rebellion, Mitchell would become a prominent Confederate supporter. As an author and owner of the Southern Citizen in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., Mitchell (an Irish Anglican) would argue vehemently against freeing blacks whom he deemed to be inferior and felt that the eventual cause of the Anglos’ downfall – in London or Boston – would eventually be tied to Cromwell’s embrace of Jewish influence. Those writings would have a profound effect on Northern Ireland’s Protestant community in later years. Tragically, Mitchel’s youngest son, Willie, would eventually die at the Battle of Gettysburg having fought for the Southern cause. His eldest namesake son would die at the Second Battle of Fort Sumter. Revolutions, no matter how justified or committed to the cause of one’s people often comes with a terrible price.

One must enter a revolution with sobriety yet vigor. They must enter a revolution with a carefully drawn plan, but without plans that are easily foiled by the status quo state. A revolution is a massive undertaking and a last resort when all other attempts at mediation have failed. Those who banter otherwise are simply false prophets and bad actors.

Still, revolutions are worth it. The need for people to reclaim their fundamental freedoms is necessary when tyranny has reared its ugly head. In this, I am reminded of the words of the tenth President of the United States, John Tyler.

John Tyler is one of the least known and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated presidents in American history. “His Ascendancy” was the result of the death of fellow Charles City County Virginian, William Henry Harrison. As the ninth president, Harrison barely lasted a month before dying of pneumonia shortly after his inauguration. Tyler, for his part, was hated by all political parties – including his own. In fact, fellow Whig Party member, Massachusetts militant abolitionist, John Quincy Adams, drafted the first articles of impeachment in American history against John Tyler. Tyler, for his part, ignored the impeachment inquiry altogether, choosing to go his own path, stating: “Popularity, I have always thought, may aptly be compared to a coquette – the more you woo her, the more apt is she to elude your embrace.”

Tyler, the first vice president to ascend to the presidency, acted like a president – setting a precedent that would follow throughout American history. He would settle the Canadian-American border dispute, precipitated by the little known Aroostock War, with the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. Tyler even spearheaded the first trade agreement with imperial China, gaining American favored nation status, against British wishes.

Further exploring this remarkable man, Tyler’s administration inherited a devastating economic situation that was the result of Yankee banking manipulation due to the Panic of 1837, whereby more than a million Southerners, primarily from Virginia and the Carolinas, were displaced and hundreds of thousands literally starved to death. Against the wishes of New England and New York commercial interests, he signed the first substantive bankruptcy protections and eviction rights in American history – largely to save the lives of fellow Southerners from predatory Yankee capitalists.

In addition to this, Tyler oversaw the annexation of Texas, sought at the time by Anglo Texans. It was Tyler who argued for Texas’ inclusion of a retraction clause (i.e., the right to withdraw from the Union as part of its statehood acceptance). Tyler was always pro-Southern, from his governing in the presidency to his actions as a latter member of the Confederate Congress.

At the lead-up to the South’s decision to secede, Tyler sought a peaceful compromise. He attended the various “Peace Conferences.” When it was determined that war would be the eventual course of action by the violent and blood thirsty Abraham Lincoln, Tyler was asked for his thoughts on personal conscience and the right to rebel against a tyrannical government. The former President (and my fellow William & Mary alumni) stated simply: “Let it be henceforth proclaimed to the world that man’s conscience was created free; that he is no longer accountable to his fellow man for his religious opinions, being responsible therefore only to his God.” Virginians and especially Charles City County should be proud of such an exemplary statesman and honorable Southerner.

The religion of the Left is now thrust upon us by a radical cadre of uncompromising creatures. Many of our readers seek a revolt against their tyrannical, vile, and ungodly leftist overlords. You are responsible “only to [your] God” – but be careful what you wish for. Revolutions can come at a price, especially when the rebelling side is ill-prepared.

Happy 4^th of July – or that which used to be called Independence Day.