William Livingston's observations

a Founder offered positives for any and all of us

After I hit send yesterday for my column, I finally got to the newspapers. Gordon S. Wood, the colonial historian, published a lovely piece on the Founders, appropriately pointing out how those who made such a difference in history viewed civilization.

Wood concluded with a quotation from what he called ‘second-level Founder, William LIvingston, New Jersey’s first governor’. The quotation cited included ‘prescriptions for proper enlightened behavior’.

‘Let us abhor Superstition and Bigotry, which are the Parents of Sloth and Slavery. Let us make War upon Ignorance and Barbarity of Manners. Let us invite the Arts and Sciences to reside amongst us. Let us encourage every thing which tends to exalt and embellish our Characters. And in find, let the Love of our Country be manifested by that which is the only true Manifestation of it, a patriotic soul and a public Spirit’.

Wow. Heady words to describe precisely what is lacking in contemporary America in so many ways. Wood concludes his op-ed by saying ‘[t]hese prescriptions for a healthy and civilized society seem relevant today’.

I agree with Wood and Livingston as strongly as possible.

As we embark on another year of this remarkable country, what can we each do to contribute to ‘proper enlightened behavior’ rather than the polarization we are witnessing? I understand one of our most faithful readers writes me regularly from his perch in the shadow of glorious Mt. Rainier that the center is holding and we are not wandering into complete anarchy of the ultimate distrust, hatred, and attacks as the rhetoric too often implies. I trust this reader’s instincts so much but I am asking each of us, admittedly individuals, to take steps someone in my family opined about earlier this week in a phone call when she asked ‘Well, people are complaining a lot about how things are going but are they doing anything to fix them?’

What actions have any of us taken recently to advance admirable behaviors? Concrete, specific steps are what I seek. Have I attended a community discussion on something bothering me locally or assumed someone else would do it, somehow channeling my concerns? Have I answered a child’s questions about history or politics or simply assumed that young mind was too young to grasp good actions, instead allowing utter rubbish to become the basis to his understanding? Have I attended an exhibit at a gallery to support the arts? Will I contribute to a much-needed neighborhood clean up campaign despite the rising temperatures? How many times have I said good morning to the person across the street as she hurried to walk her dog before rushing to work? The list of small but actually meaningful steps I can take is endless.

Yet actions create consequences. Raising that woman’s outlook after she walks her dog could lead to her participation in a school activity which helps all of us. By cleaning up detritus on the sidewalk I can prevent someone from falling after a rain, thus encouraging walks by others who may fear the dangers of walking as they age. Insuring a child knows that I value his questions makes it far more likely he will have the courage to question in the future, a fundamental strength of our system.

There are a number of grandiose plans out there to ‘return’ this country to another era. I advocate individual responsibility rather than turning it over to some think tank or the anyone else. William Livingston’s prescription as a starting point suggests each of us taking a personal role that strikes me as pretty common sense.

It’s seductive to underestimate the power of small steps. No, they may not bring peace to the Middle East but we are in the United States of America. We are living in communities with unique opportunities and challenges. Livingston two and a half centuries ago described where we can and should provide our greatest effort because it’s where our lives occur.

Just some thoughts for an already hot Friday in early July as we move past our Fourth celebrations into the tougher political slog. What are your thoughts and actions? I genuinely look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for reading ACC today and any day. Thanks for forwarding it if you find it of value as I appreciate the support. I especially am honored by those who subscribe with financial support as it matters a great deal.

Be well and be safe. FIN

Gordon Wood, ‘What Explains the Genius of the Founders?’, Washingtonpost.com, 4 July 2024, retrieved at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/07/02/american-founders-provincials-british-empire/