The Freedom Ring

American Democracy Explained American Democracy as explained by our forefathers: Country, Liberty, God and Freedom.  US Capitol Building Under Construction, 1861      The year was 1862. Exactly one year after the Civil War had started. Brooklyn, New York, at Plymouth Church, the abolitionist preacher and a spokesperson for the newly established Republican Party, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was helping Americans understand what made our American Democracy worth fighting for!     These words of  Freedom and Liberty are a true gem of our American history, which now with the publication of this article is the first time these words have been brought to life in over a hundred years! The following adapted passage is from Henry Ward Beecher’s sermon, “ The Success of American Democracy.”      The history of this year is the history of the common people of America. It is memorable on account of the light that it throws upon them. We are fond of talk...

  The Sinfulness of Racism and Slavery 6 examples of the harm caused to America, by Henry Ward Beecher American Slave Auction “Let us take a look and see if there is any testimony, under God’s great moral government, on the subject of the sinfulness of racism and slavery.” The following words of this article were originally spoken by the abolitionist pastor of Brooklyn, Henry Ward Beecher. They were delivered in one of his weekly sermons at Plymouth Church, this one called “National Injustice and Penalty.” I have lightly adapted the text in order to modernize the victorian style language. This was no ordinary Sunday in our nation’s history. There was a high level of intensity in the air. Possibly thicker than that of 1960 and 2020. This one God given Sunday took place during May of 1861. The American Civil War had broken out one month earlier on April 12th, 1861. Let's take a look at how Mr. Beecher lays out six examples of how racism and slavery in America violates ...

 The Political Rising Tensions Between Freedom Fighters and Slave Masters.  Sermon from Henry Ward Beecher Political Map of the US of 1850 Adapted passages from “Life and Work of Henry Ward Beecher” published in 1887 “ HENRY, the battle is coming on. When it will end I know I not. I only hope that everyone feels as alert as I do” (extract from a letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe , the sister of Henry, to Henry Ward Beecher ). It was dated November 1, 1852, but expresses the feeling of many concerned Americans during the whole of this era of apparent peace. They were not deceived by the surface calm. They felt that, beneath all party platforms, and the compromises of party politics, and the makeshifts of a commercial spirit, the great conscience of the North was being stirred. Deep was calling unto deep, and the moanings of the sea that made things seem like dark times was coming. The storm, not a new one but the violent rising of the same old elements, began in Congress in the...

Orated by the famous, abolitionist preacher, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher on October 29th, 1865 in Brooklyn, NY. Sermon given during the early stages of the debates over the restoration or reconstruction of the Southern States that were in rebellion at the time. Six months after Andrew Johnson had been appointed to the presidential chair as the successor of the murdered Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln, 16th US President Healing with a Mission [No Plan] It is a remarkable fact that at no period until now has any statesman or leader appeared among us who, in view of coming dangers, has been able to lay down a plan, or a course of action. Our whole horizon stands darkened by thick troubles. Question upon question, like ranks of trees in the forest, rising beyond each other.  [Goodwill Towards the Wrong] For despondency is ingratitude, and hope in God is worship. I am impressed not only with the duty of hope and trust in God for the future, but with the duty of good-will toward men. Now that war h...