My brain is utterly overturned at today's events. But something keeps running thru my head. In 1880, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain faced down an angry mob intent on storming the Maine State House bc they believed the gubernatorial election was rigged
Unarmed. By himself.
Unarmed. By himself.
The state was at risk of breaking out into civil war. The incumbent wouldn't leave. Armed mobs were assembling. The 52yo major general, still suffering from his Petersburg wound, arrived around this date in 1880 - his goal was to keep the peace until the state supreme ct cld rule
The state's political leaders asked him to call up the militia, which he could as it's commanding general. His response: "Whoever first says ‘take arms!’ has a fearful responsibility on him, & I don’t mean it shall be me who does that"
Altho a war hero and a former governor, the mob turned against Chamberlain. One day, an aide ran into the statehouse to tell him a mob assembled out front, to drag him out and take control. Chamberlain rose and walked out, pacing down the statehouse steps, alone & unarmed
The former professor spoke;
"Men, you wish to kill me, I hear. Killing is no new thing to me. I have offered myself to be killed many times, when I no more deserved it than I do now. Some of you, I think, have been with me in those days. You understand what you want, do you?
"Men, you wish to kill me, I hear. Killing is no new thing to me. I have offered myself to be killed many times, when I no more deserved it than I do now. Some of you, I think, have been with me in those days. You understand what you want, do you?
"I am here to preserve the peace and honor of this state, until the rightful government is seated-whichever it may be, it is not for me to say. But it is for me to see that the laws of this state are put into effect, without fraud, without force, but with calm thought & purpose."
"I am here for that, and I shall do it. If anyone wants to kill me for it, here I am. Let him kill!”
At that, a veteran emerged from the mob & cried “By God, old General, the first man that dares to lay a hand on you, I'll kill him on the spot!"
At that, a veteran emerged from the mob & cried “By God, old General, the first man that dares to lay a hand on you, I'll kill him on the spot!"
The mob dispersed. On January 16, 1880, the state supreme court declared the winner and Chamberlain was relieved of his 12 day vigil
Chamberlain had turned down bribes. Had resisted threats. Had embodied what and who we are.
Twice, he stood & fought for who are as a nation.
Chamberlain had turned down bribes. Had resisted threats. Had embodied what and who we are.
Twice, he stood & fought for who are as a nation.
Worth pointing out that he did all this while he was still suffering from his horrific Petersburg wound that required the wearing of a catheter and that would eventually kill him in 1914
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