To The Editor
of The Dillon Herald:
About: “Will Our Democracy Survive?”—Bishop Michael Goings [The Dillon Herald: May 23, 2019]
With all due respect for myself and others, I reaffirm the primary concerns and reactions stated in my letter-to-the-editor published in the May 28 issue of The Dillon Herald. The singular purpose of that letter was two-fold: (1) to thank columnist Bishop Goings for the many insightful essays he has written over the years and (2) to react to his evaluations of the current state of affairs in America, of the two major political parties, and of President Donald J. Trump—political commentary and assertions that surfaced in his closing paragraphs.
However, I am now compelled to respond to two letters-to-the-editor published in The Dillon Herald on June 20, 2019—letters written by Pastor McDuffie and Mr. Mace to support Bishop Goings’s views. For these men, I have one observation to make, and I have accepted the challenge to offer some basic solutions.
First of all, the one observation:
Bishop Goings prefaced his column with a partial quote from President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.” Lincoln’s closing thoughts were “…we highly resolve…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Ironically, I realized in retrospect that these very words could easily have been the impetus for my written response acknowledging the current internal threats to our democratic republic. My letter presented real evidence that this nation is now being threatened by a strengthening Socialist movement that could ultimately negate the promise President Lincoln resolved on November 19, 1863.
Secondly, some basic solutions:
A. To all American citizens: Make an effort to preserve and strengthen our democracy by (1) recognizing and respecting the Judeo-Christian principals underlying this great nation, (2) studying and defending both The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence, (3) taking to heart the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and honoring that pledge, and (4) preserving the sovereignty of The United States of America by courageously defending her against documented external attacks and increasingly violent internal disruptions.
B. To the individual American citizen: Begin now to (1) review and expand your knowledge of United States History, (2) meet President John F. Kennedy’s challenge, “…my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” [Inaugural Address—January 20, 1961], (3) recognize the fact that American citizens have made and will forever keep America great, and (4) “This above all: to thine own self be true.”[Hamlet Act I, sc. iii] In other words: Believe in yourself! Think for yourself! Speak for yourself!
Before closing, I need to repeat the focus of my letter’s last paragraphs: To protect and preserve our constitutional government, we must begin by defending the contested motto of The United States and proudly stand to proclaim, “In God We Trust!” Believe this motto, and America, as founded, will always be great. Also believe this: “I will fear no evil: for thou (God) art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me….in the presence of mine enemies.” [Psalm 23, vss. 4 and 5: KJV] Trust God and pray “…thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.”
Finally, regarding Mr. Mace’s predicted revelations of “fraud,” he might consider this: “…truth will come to light.…in the end, truth will out.” [The Merchant of Venice ACT II, sc. ii]
God Bless America!
Gerald M. Berry
P.O. Box 52
Dillon, S. C. 29536