Autumn...being an American

J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur

The beginning of Fall is just around the corner.  Saturday, September the 22^nd is the official day, although in the Pacific Northwest we can all ready feel the cool air upon us. (Of course if you live in the Southern Hemisphere the date is in March) Autumn is one of my most favorite times of the year, moving on from the warm days and nights of late summer to the warm days and cool nights of Fall. According to Wikipedia, the term Autumn came from the French and the term Fall came from the Germans…however there was another term that was used before these two and that was Harvest.  Whatever you call it, there are a number of things that this time of the year brings besides the cooler temperatures.

Football, the end of Golf Saturdays, the beginning of the holidays, no more mowing the grass, the beginning of fall allergies, and the start of school , are just some of the things that symbolize the harvest season starting.

This year we have one more extremely important thing, the November elections. I don’t have a side, that is, I would never claim to be either democrat or republican, as I believe that we should be American, and whoever is for that, that is who I vote for. I also vote for initiatives that advance our state of wellbeing and promote advancement, creativity and continue to support our freedom. I’m neither left nor right, or liberal or conservative, but I support those who believe that as American’s we can do better as a collective whole in lieu of being just for ourselves or our political party or our group.  I strongly support those who believe that education in America is the most important issue. It is not that we collectively have fallen behind the world that is the most disconcerting, but the fact that we don’t put it as the number one issue in creating a better, stronger, resourceful America.

I believe I’m American. But really what does that mean? In 1781, a French American by the name of Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur wrote several letters that were later published as a book titled “Letters From An American Farmer”.  In his third Letter he defines “What is an American”.  I leave you with just a few of his thoughts:

“I WISH I could be acquainted with the feelings and thoughts which must agitate the heart and present themselves to the mind of an enlightened Englishman, when he first lands on this continent. He must greatly rejoice that he lived at a time to see this fair country discovered and settled; he must necessarily feel a share of national pride, when he views the chain of settlements which embellishes these extended shores. When he says to himself, this is the work of my countrymen, who, when convulsed by factions, afflicted by a variety of miseries and wants, restless and impatient, took refuge here. They brought along with them their national genius, to which they principally owe what liberty they enjoy, and what substance they possess. Here he sees the industry of his native country displayed in a new manner, and traces in their works the embrios of all the arts, sciences, and ingenuity which flourish in Europe. Here he beholds fair cities, substantial villages, extensive fields, an immense country filled with decent houses, good roads, orchards, meadows, and bridges, where an hundred years ago all was wild, woody and uncultivated!” 

“In this great American asylum, the poor of Europe have by some means met together, and in consequence of various causes; to what purpose should they ask one another what countrymen they are? Alas, two thirds of them had no country.... No! urged by a variety of motives, here they came. Every thing has tended to regenerate them; new laws, a new mode of living, a new social system; here they are become men: in Europe they were as so many useless plants, wanting vegitative mould, and refreshing showers; they withered, and were mowed down by want, hunger, and war; but now by the power of transplantation, like all other plants they have taken root and flourished!”

“What then is the American, this new man? He is either an European, or the descendant of an European, hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country. I could point out to you a family whose grandfather was an Englishman, whose wife was Dutch, whose son married a French woman, and whose present four sons have now four wives of different nations…Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world. Americans are the western pilgrims, who are carrying along with them that great mass of arts, sciences, vigour, and industry which began long since in the east; they will finish the great circle. The Americans were once scattered all over Europe; here they are incorporated into one of the finest systems of population which has ever appeared, and which will hereafter become distinct by the power of the different climates they inhabit…The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions. From involuntary idleness, servile dependence, penury, and useless labour, he has passed to toils of a very different nature, rewarded by ample subsistence. --This is an American.”

His last paragraph of this third letter….could we today say the same to our new citizens? Can we say that our government makes us happy today? Have we Moved On to a new kind of American?

 "Welcome to my shores, distressed European; bless the hour in which thou didst see my verdant fields, my fair navigable rivers, and my green mountains! If thou wilt work, I have bread for thee; if thou wilt be honest, sober, and industrious, I have greater rewards to confer on thee-- ease and independence. I will give thee fields to feed and cloath thee; a comfortable fireside to sit by, and tell thy children by what means thou hast prospered; and a decent bed to repose on. I shall endow thee beside with the immunities of a freeman. If thou wilt carefully educate thy children, teach them gratitude to God, and reverence to that government that philanthropic government, which has collected here so many men and made them happy. I will also provide for thy progeny; and to every good man this ought to be the most holy, the most Powerful, the most earnest wish he can possibly form, as well as the most consolatory prospect when he dies. Go thou and work and till; thou shalt prosper, provided thou be just, grateful and industrious."


Please Vote for those who are for making America the best and are not just doing it for themselves or their party...