250 Years Means More Than Celebration

Guest Opinion

As we approach our 250th anniversary, there is much history can teach us. Sure, we should celebrate 250 years as a country, but let’s not wander aimlessly into our next 250 years. This should be more than just celebration—we should be dealing with the present and preparing for the future.

Our partisan shouting matches and “my-way-or-the-highway” talk makes me think back to my college days. My U.S. history professor—a true democrat—really liked Republican Governor Milliken because he could work across the aisle to accomplish what Michigan needed. It reminds me of other instances when people came together and compromised to do things our country needed.

History should be one tool that our leaders use to accomplish good and beneficial things now, but also for those that come after us. That is not being done today.

There are many instances when our country came together to solve a crisis we were facing. But, three instances stand out: Lincoln brought together civilian and military leaders who might not have thought alike but could get us through a Civil War, saving the Union and freeing the enslaved people in our country. Further back, a group of men, who had many differences of opinion, met in Philadelphia and came up with our Constitution. This was sorely needed, as the Articles of Confederation had barely gotten us through the Revolutionary War and were not adequate to make us a lasting and vibrant democracy. A third time we pulled together as a nation helped win WWII. In all three instances, people did what was needed to compromise and sacrifice for the greater good.

As we think about what happened during those times, we need to consider what the people involved were about—especially the elected officials, but also those appointed to help bring things about.

In 1787, a small group met in Philadelphia with the common goal: to make our government better. But the divergence of opinions were great: north vs. south, east coasters vs. rural westerners, small states vs. large states, and those who thought the states should be prominent vs. those supporting a stronger federal government. No one got entirely what they wanted, but they came up with something they could accept and that still stands 250 years later: our Constitution.

In 1861, Lincoln brought together civilians to run our government and generals in the field who were finally able, by 1865, to save the union and end the Civil War. There were plenty of differing opinions, including when Lincoln turned to General Ulysses S. Grant. There was also the reliance on the likes of General George H. Thomas, who hailed from Virginia—talk about crossing the aisle!

In December 1941, the U.S. entered WWII with declarations of war on Japan and Germany. We had already been supplying arms to Britain, but this meant we were all in. The generation of those who suffered together also proved willing to work together later in their lives. For example Senators Dole (R), Hart (D), and Inouye (D) all spent time in the same Battle Creek hospital after the war and later readily worked across the aisle. House Minority leader Gerald Ford, after arguing all day in Congress, often shared a taxi home with Democratic colleagues, engaging in pleasant conversation all the way.

All this should teach us is that the greater good outweighs personal or party ambitions. Our country needs leaders who will keep our economy strong and our democracy vibrant. Economic strength is for all, not just those at the top. Democracy is for and by “We the People….”

When will our current crop of top elected and appointed officials understand this? Will it be now, or only as we drop off the cliff, either economically or democratically?

Having studied history since I was in grade school, I have learned some important things. I learned that we should replicate the good things we as a country have done. Perhaps, more importantly, we should learn that compromise and working together are not bad things, but what we should strive for so we can celebrate another 250 years.

Today our federal and even state officials could learn the same lessons from history. They need to work together across the aisle to do what this country and its people need. In short, they need to internalize the preamble to our Constitution and use it as a guide for all they do!

Stewart MacLeod earned a BA in History at Albion College and an MA in Ottoman History at the University of Michigan. He then spent 30+ years as a Turkey area analyst for the U.S. government before retiring to Traverse City.

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