“Soul of the nation” echoes from those wishing to save the soul of the nation, albeit with different goals. Civil discussion requires agreement on what is “soul of the nation.”
Greek and Hebrew concepts of soul come to us in Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, pointing to a reality central to a person’s life and identity that transcends the body. As a metaphor “soul of a nation” has different interpretations — like blind men who touched different parts of an elephant and imagine a tree-trunk, rope, fan or spear and come to blows. The Buddha concluded: “For, quarreling, each to his view they cling. Such folk see only one side of a thing.”
“Saving a soul” has two foci: (1) redeeming from imperfection and (2) calling to a higher standard as yet unrealized. Pleas to save “the soul of the nation” urge return to a past glory and/or movement toward an as yet unattained perfection. What gives life and identity to our nation and assures its survival? Is it past, or future, or both? Perhaps soul transcends those boundaries.
“Soul of the nation” must relate to basic principles citizens of a free democracy need to govern our nation. Remembering our heritage and civic lessons might be instructive: democracy, because freedom requires government of, by and for the people; three co-equal branches of government and a federal structure, because too much power in the hands of a few leads to tyranny; independent, impartial judiciary to assure justice and equality; legislatures to enact laws; an executive to administer properly enacted laws; and equal opportunity to assure life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A democracy needs an educated public to provide cognitive immunity from tyranny.
Americans share a land flowing with milk and honey that produces enough for our needs and more. Land stretching from sea to shining sea has protected us from destructive modern warfare. Industrious workers and faithful leaders at all levels with skills to adapt to social, economic and technical challenges secure our freedoms — until now.
That rare combination of intellectual and physical blessings created a free, prosperous, diverse and powerful nation. It is a city set on a hill, an experiment in democratic self-government, exceptional and the envy of the world. Migrants fleeing famine, war, oppression and terror enter America the beautiful and shelter under beckoning light from the Statue of Liberty in this land of opportunity.
The soul of our nation is fractured by past failures and current events. Foundational principles establish an ideal and aspirations as yet unfilled, which call for repentance. Forces of identity politics, class resentment, religious affiliation, racial prejudice and cultural animosity divide us into warring tribes. Those seeking power, celebrity, political success and economic advantage manipulate their base. Elite postmodern relativism and suspicion weaken Enlightenment principles and thereby empower falsehood and half-true perceptions. Self-serving deconstructions of history into my-stories tarnishes and obscures principles. Tearing down foundations of our civic house, brick by brick, without providing foundations and materials for rebuilding weakens our principles and imperils the soul of our nation.
In a 1989 Lafollette Lecture at Wabash College, I spoke about potential turmoil in our evolving America: “Pluralism suggests the coexistence of multiple traditions with no possibility of adjudication except the power of pressure groups, its extension in force of arms, and ultimately the shredding of the fragile fabric of society, which is evidenced in many unmediated cultural, religious and civil conflicts. Inclusiveness implies the process of adaptation in the transmission of various traditions that permits mutual appreciation of diverse elements within a common tradition within which each person has as much freedom as communal living and our nature as social beings permit.”
We looked into a civic abyss. Some are stepping back. Politics of hope in the place of politics of grievance; allegiance to our founding principles and polishing the lamp of freedom and justice instead of deconstruction; the rule of law in the place of society red tooth and claw; neighbors, not enemies; and hope — please, God, let that be so. Let’s rebuild the foundation.
Essential civic morality requires individual personal morality leading to action and restraint harder than any legal system can demand. Morality transcends law through love of neighbor, honesty in all dealings, truth telling, refusing to ignore immorality and deceit as long as it benefits me, and conduct as a responsible citizen.
Optimism concluded the earlier lecture: “America may well be entering its most exciting and creative period in the 21st century as new neighbors deposit the intellectual resources of the world among us … Our whole heritage brought us into being for this future.”
Raymond B. Williams, Crawfordsville, contributed this guest column.
