Emerging from the “Dark Winter,” Courage or Cowardice Will Shape the Future of Our Constitutional Republic

As we enter the new year of 2024, those who love the Republic, and who are willing to fight for it, need to “Be strong and courageous! ...not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 31:6

White House stated a “dark winter” would set in across America

In the midst of the winter of ‘23 - ‘24, it may be hard to consider that what “We the People” do or do not do this year may shape the future of America for a long time to come. The year of 2024 is an election year, and both those who love the Republic and those who hate it will be contesting in unrelenting strife, not only at the ballot box, but also in the traditional ways of messaging, as well as untraditional ways of stifling free communication, free expression and freedom of one’s voice via voting in fair and honest elections.

Seven years ago, during the final presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, the one who is now in the White House stated a “dark winter” would set in across America. Biden was referencing the COVID time and the vaccines that the government had been attempting to force upon everyone – even those in our armed forces. Yet, America survived the Biden Administration’s dark winter.

Americans have suffered through several dark winters lately

It is possible that Americans have suffered through several dark winters lately, but if one sees beyond our current circumstances, Americans have suffered through many deeply tragic and dark winters. America still stands. In my humble opinion, it is because of the American citizens that America still stands. It is because of the American citizens that America still exists and ever came into existence. The courageous men and women of this country seek ways to take action to preserve the Republic; and those who cannot take action, will donate to help those who are unafraid of exercising their God-given rights. But, for those who have been paying attention to the current government actions – both on the national level and the state levels, the government of the people, by the people, and for the people is disappearing.

Historian Victor Davis Hanson relates a similar perception in this book, The Dying Citizen. The good professor sees the future of America linked to the choices before the American citizen – whether "We the People” remain complacent or detached or fearful, or whether citizens seize the day and become engaged in this moment and awakened to action to take ownership over our citizenship. Wallowing in the apparent problems can become a hobby to some, who like to # and blame others while doing nothing to effectuate genuine or substantial solutions or changes to lay the foundation for effective and lasting solutions to America’s existential crisis.

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In December of 1776, American colonists were facing a dark winter as well

Hanson would agree that the future of the Republic as it was constructed is on the line. He sees that without “shock treatment, this may go the way of demise like other great nations in history. It is noit a cynical perception, but those who understand history, can appreciate that it is citizens or the people of a nation who shape the course of the nation’s success or failure. Those who know history well can see the proverbial “handwriting on the wall.” Those who remain asleep will have a harsh awakening; but those who have awakened need to not only wake up, but also to rise up, to speak up, to act up in order to keep the Republic.

This has already been happening from the days of 9/11: some citizens were shocked and then awakened into new perceptions of America and the sincerity of our leaders, the transparency of our government, the stability of our institutions, and the authenticity of our religious foundations. It will continue to happen as the American citizens emerge from their self-centered cocoons of comfort and illusion. The question is whether there will be much more mercy upon unwillingness to act. It is truth, no matter who it can be attributed to, that all it takes for evil to triumph is for the good people to do nothing. It is quite evident that either America has few good people anymore, or too few good people are willing to do anything during another dark winter.

In December of 1776, American colonists were facing a dark winter as well, before America became America. Only six months after proclaiming the Declaration of Independence, the War for Independence appeared to be lost. The relentless onslaught of the powerful British military overwhelmed the ragtag band of American “troops.” Devastating losses at Fort Washington and Fort Lee in New York left many colonists doubting General Washington’s capabilities and the overall wisdom in declaring “independence” and taking on the mightiest military force upon the planet. The powerful British forces had chased General Washington out of New York, out of New Jersey, and had re-occupied three colonies. Washington had retreated into Pennsylvania, but the British forces had pursued the colonials to within miles of Philadelphia, the very birthplace of American Liberty.

Washington’s plan to attack the Hessians at Trenton

In that dark winter, it appeared to many that the entire fight for independence was about to flame out as a noble, but a lost cause. Freedom seemed to be on its deathbed. Many Continental troops had been captured, some were executed, and many remaining of the beleaguered men had their enlistments coming to an end in this time. Several decided not to wait and went AWOL. On top of all of this, Washington’s troops were in dire need of supplies. Many men only had summer uniforms or lacked proper boots. But, good favor shined upon the father of our country. British Commander, General Sir William Howe directed his forces to prepare for winter quarters. Likely in his arrogance, he may have felt that the war would be soon won in the Spring. Regardless, the British pursuit came to a halt for the winter.

During the long pursuit, even the morale of the enlisted Continentals had grown dull and some in Congress began to question their choice of Commander. But, this history is full of stories of how, in such times of trial, great leaders emerge. It was such a time for George Washington. He knew an attack, if successful, could turn things around and restore a bit of confidence in the colonists’ pursuit of Independence. Washington’s plan to attack the Hessians at Trenton on the other side of the Delaware River is now famous because it was brazen, yet victorious. This attack took place the day after Christmas, and it proved possible to turn the tide in the war to some extent because the victory showed that the Americans would not give up their fight for freedom.

Thomas Paine's The American Crisis

Just before this attack, on December 19, Thomas Paine published the first volume of a series of his pamphlets entitled The American Crisis. The very first edition was reported to have been written by the light of a campfire on top of a drum head. Amazingly, the words apply to the war we are now currently engaged in. The now famous “Crisis,” begins:

These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and The sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

True then, and true now. General Washington had Paine’s pamphlet read to his troops on December 23, 1776, just two days before Christmas, when he asked them to march, not to retreat more, but to go on offense and to attack a most formidable enemy. Those men spent their Christmas Day marching--all day--just to get to a ferry crossing point on the Delaware that evening. They finally got across the river about 3 a.m., and still had to march on to Trenton. They attacked around 8 a.m. The spark from Paine’s American Crisis must have burned in them along the way, despite the rain, the sleet, and the snow they had to brave.

Today there are many battles yet to face, and patriots are still fighting though our souls have been tried again and again, but this war is an existential fight, a fight for America’s very soul. Would be tyrants under the guise of great deception and widespread manipulation are trying to destroy our freedoms. Indeed, “tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered…” Patriots today still have more marches, more rivers to cross, more battles to fight. It is high time for citizens to take courage and to unite and to win the battles before us.It is time to reclaim ownership of our citizenship!

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