‘One man with courage is a majority’ – Thomas Jefferson
It’s not that Jefferson couldn’t do math. He just knew there were moments in the course of human events when a single brave person could make all the difference in the world. That person might not be able to change the immediate course of events, but they sear consciences for generations, and, even if there be no immediate impact, provide an example that will one day be hailed as just and true. Jefferson knew that one man or woman with courage could make a greater difference than an entire pantheon of cowards.
This is of course a Biblical principle. Consider the story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den. Or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the Fiery Furnace (OK, in that case it was three men with courage, but the point still holds true). Or any number of stories regarding the stances of Jeremiah (and other prophets) against the madness of foolish kings and their accomplices. Or brave Queen Esther. And then there is Jesus, the bravest man of all, dying at the hands of the maddening crowd, providing an example that forever changed the course of both history and eternity. Jefferson may or may not have meant to do so, but when he made his famous statement about one courageous person, he was echoing Biblical truth.
Jefferson’s principle springs to mind today in the wake of the acquittal of Donald Trump. The President of the United States had stood trial for abusing his power in a manner that threatened the integrity of American democracy. The evidence was overwhelming, but the verdict was never in doubt. The jury was dominated by the President’s own party, a shameless assortment of quislings, cowards, and coconspirators whose sole concern was to keep their exalted positions in the United States Senate. After a sham of a trial, it seemed all but certain that they would march in lockstep in a show of unflinching subservience to their master. They would, to the last man and woman, vote to acquit, even though doing so would give, not only this President, but future Presidents the kind of power that may very well leave America’s system of checks and balances and constitutional government in shambles. They all understood this risk. But they were too cowardly to stand against it. Too in love with their privilege and status. Too desirous of power at the cost of their own souls.
I was certain that none would dare break from the crowd.
I was wrong.
Standing on the floor of the Senate, Senator Mitt Romney defied his party and voted to remove the President from office. He explained that what the President did: ‘was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security interests, and our fundamental values.’ Noting the vicious response he knew would come for daring to break with the pack, he simply referred to his oath to do justice and the overwhelming evidence in the case: ‘Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented, and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end, it would, I fear, expose my character to history’s rebuke and the censure of my own conscience.’
In other words, no matter what the crowd did, Romney’s conscience would only permit him to do what he believed to be right.
Romney is now walking around with a target on his back. He has invited the hatred and scorn of millions. I have no doubt that in coming days he will receive tons of hate mail, be booed at public appearances, and maybe even be threatened with harm. He knew his vote would cost him dearly.
But in casting that vote, he has gained so much more. He has gained a place in history. He has kept his integrity. He has held on to his soul.
In this he has proven himself greater than the balance of his Republican colleagues. He has, as one man, proven himself greater than all of them, individually and collectively. He has taken a stand that will resonate throughout the halls of time as a testimony to both his honor and the abject cowardice of those who listened to him defend it in a speech that might have, in other, less Trumpian times, pricked the consciences of nobler men and women.
Romney may not have made a difference in the outcome of the trial. But he has proven Jefferson right.
One man with courage is greater than a majority.
Under Christ’s Mercy,
Brent
Photo by Oliver Cole, courtesy of Unsplash.