From Williamsburg to Athens

Guest Post by Jeff Thomas via International Man

Second amendment

In 2018, International Man published an essay entitled, “The Right to Bear Arms,” in which I described the events that inspired America’s founding fathers to write the Second Amendment to the Constitution.

The reason that they were so adamant about the right to bear arms was that the events that occurred in Williamsburg, Virginia, that inspired its creation were still fresh in the mind of Thomas Jefferson, who had been living in Williamsburg at the time.

In 1776, the colonists, having become distrustful of British rule, began to form militias. In response, Governor Dunmore, who represented King George, seized all the gunpowder and armaments that were stored in the brick magazine for the protection of the colonists.

The city council demanded their return, stating that they were the property of the colony, not the Crown. Patrick Henry led the Hanover County Militia – about 150 men – to Williamsburg to reclaim the gunpowder.

The incident not only led directly to the creation of the Second Amendment. It led directly to the War for Independence and liberty of the American people.

It should be borne in mind that, at that time, every household possessed firearms, and all men knew how to use them, as every family needed to both hunt and protect themselves against Indian attack. Additionally, the colonists far outnumbered the British troops. The reasons the people of Williamsburg succeeded in their quest was that they far outgunned the British regulars and acted quickly and decisively.

In spite of the importance that these events have had to Americans for the last 243 years, they’ve disappeared from US history books, and virtually no American is aware of them, or the important lesson that they teach as to why the people should be armed.

But just as obscure as the Williamsburg insurrection is the Battle of Athens – that is, Athens, Tennessee – in 1946.

During the war years, the family of Paul Cantrell captured control of the town through election fraud. They took control of law enforcement, the schools and the media. To make matters worse, police under Cantrell received no salaries. They were advised by the sheriff to obtain their pay through shakedowns of the public.

But over 3,000 GIs returned to Athens after the war. They eagerly sought a change in leadership, and the election of 1946 promised them that opportunity.

It became clear to all that the Cantrell faction would be voted out of power. However, as they controlled the sheriff, they instructed him to hire 200 deputies to man the polling places. At the close of voting hours, Cantrell ordered that the ballot boxes be removed, to be counted by Cantrell henchmen at the Athens sheriff’s office.

When the former soldiers discovered this, they broke into the National Guard Armory and removed rifles, machine guns and ammunition. (Sound familiar?)

They stormed the sheriff’s office. The sheriff and his men were no match for the war-hardened GIs and surrendered both themselves and the ballot boxes.

When the votes were later counted, the Cantrells were finished. New leaders were installed and none of the GIs was charged with a crime.

It should be borne in mind that, at that time, the men had recently served in the war. They knew how to use firearms and were unafraid to go up against a common enemy. The townspeople far outnumbered the police. The reasons the people of Athens succeeded in their quest was that they far outgunned the police and acted quickly and decisively.

And that brings us to the present day. Just as in Athens, Tennessee, in 1946, the police now top up their wages through civil asset forfeiture. And the authorities are most certainly planning for dramatic civil unrest.

The US is living in the post-constitutional era – a time when virtually all of the rights that the US founding fathers laid down have been removed by one means or another. But there’s a right that lingers – the Second Amendment – the right to bear arms.

Not surprisingly, a major campaign is underway to eliminate this right. Roughly half the population of the US has become convinced that only the authorities should be allowed to bear arms.

These people either do not know their history and therefore don’t understand the reason for the amendment, or they’ve been conned into believing that when the authorities have all the guns, they will only do good things with them.

Those who study history understand that this is almost never true.

Just like Governor Dunmore and Senator Cantrell, political leaders do not disarm the populace for benign reasons, but to institute force.

But for those who live in the US and understand that the government is pushing a major campaign to remove the means to rebel against an oppressive government, the above incidents may bring hope that the populace can always get together and take back the reins of power.

Unfortunately, that may no longer be so. As stated above, in 1776, every household had one or more muskets. All males and many females were experienced in using them.

In 1946, a significant portion of the Athens, Tennessee, population had just returned from war. They too had no reluctance to make use of firearms wherever necessary.

And how about their opposing forces? In 1776, the British regulars were no better armed than the colonists and were fewer in number. In 1946, the police were not as well armed as the soldiers, who had machine guns, and they, too, were outnumbered.

Today, by contrast, all police departments have riot-trained police, riot gear, armored vehicles and semi-automatic weapons. In addition, they have the training to respond quickly and act as a unit, quickly dealing with any act of rebellion that occurs.

And today, their numbers are considerable. The city, county and state police are backed up by the TSA, FBI, DEA, CIA, Homeland Security and National Guard, plus dozens of other agencies – tens of thousands of officers, each with a badge and a gun. To be sure, their numbers in total are lower than the entire population, but they can be deployed almost anywhere in a very short period of time – something that wasn’t possible in 1776 or 1946.

Many Americans who are reading the warning signs correctly are stocking up on weapons and ammunition and will even tell their neighbours over coffee, down at the diner, that they’re prepared to “make a stand.”

However, when push comes to shove, few people will be prepared, if and when a SWAT team charges their home. Certainly, the possibility of either outgunning the authorities or acting quickly and decisively is unlikely.

Confrontation is a very short-term solution at best.

For any American who regards his liberty as a primary right, a more promising possibility might be to consider relocation to a country where liberty continues to thrive.

Editor’s Note: Politically, economically,and socially, the United States seems to be headed down a path that’s inconsistent with the founding principles of the country.

The situation is advancing rapidly on multiple fronts– civil liberties are under attack, government money printing is on overdrive and PC culture has run rampant. And it’s likely that the time ahead could be an increasingly volatile.

Doug Casey and his team just released this free PDF report that outlines what it’s all about and what you can do about it. Click here to see the details now.

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Hyperborean
Hyperborean

US “history”, as taught in public high schools, has devolved into a week on the Equal Rights / Civil Rights movement, a day about Harvey Milk, a day about Caesar Chavez, and yes they still have that black peanut scientist guy. I have to spend all semester explaining to my son how it is all bullshit.

And “English” class is now a 6 year unending stream of victim anthologies. I am not kidding when I write that my oldest daughter had to read a book every year about the Jews in Nazi Germany during each year in high school. My son just finished some idiotic feminist cloak and dagger novel set in WWII with girl assassins, and before that it was some crap about an African child soldier.

No more “March of the 10,000”, no more “Bridge Over River Kwai” (the best engineering novel ever written), no more “1984” or “Brave New World”. Just a steady dream of shit crammed into young peoples’ heads that has nothing to do with history. It’s the perfect Marxist ploy – without History, a people does not know who it is and if a people does not know who it is, it can be coerced into being anything.

wxtwxtr
wxtwxtr

The Marxist ‘Long March Through the Institutions’ is indeed both a Long Con and a well thought out strategy. It needs to be to teach men to submit to any authoratai that demands it. And that their life isn’t worth a 25 cent bullet.

Hardscrabble Farmer
Hardscrabble Farmer

When they give you lemons.

All of our children have gone through- and in the case of the youngest is still going through- the public school system. I weighed all of the pros and cons of going along with this and between my wife and living a lifestyle where we are both available to our children 24 hours a day, discovered a means by which to turn out three exceptional children who are far more informed about the world than I was at 40. We use their methods and system in the same way a jiu jitsu master takes on an opponent. You allow the propaganda and social conditioning to be pushed and then you debrief daily and demonstrate all the myriad missing pieces and outright falsehoods as a way of showing them how to think critically, to always be curious and to be vigilant of deliberate misdirection. You use the momentum, sloth, and weight of the system against itself.

There are a thousand advantages to teaching your children to swim in the current of our time while at the same time being completely aware of the reality of the world around them. It requires constant vigilance and you must be constantly on the lookout for areas outside of your own expertise and experience to expose them to lest they miss an opportunity, but if you do the rewards are amazing.

Hyperborean
Hyperborean

You sound like you and your wife have done a fine job. Congratulations.

ILuvCO2
ILuvCO2

Especially after the history lessons on the lunar landing and the round earth, eh? Sorry, I just had to. And as one who sacrificed much financially for Private school, you still have to be just as diligent. Hope you are well.

Hardscrabble Farmer
Hardscrabble Farmer

My youngest is especially adamant about the Earth being a globe and he defends his position a lot better than Neil deGrasse Tyson.

None of them believe we went to the Moon though, so there’s that.

WestcoastDeplorable
WestcoastDeplorable

Tyson is even worse than Sagan was. And that ain’t saying much.

No. 9.
No. 9.

That was great. Subtle, yet spot on Bullseye.

Hyperborean
Hyperborean

I saw these guys several times at LA punk shows. This is the sort of music I grew up on. Can’t see kinds today listening to anything close.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgZPm3hx20c

MrLiberty
MrLiberty

Heard “Code Blue” playing at a record store back in ’81 I think (I don’t think they realized what the song would be about when they played it). Bought the album “Dance with Me” right then and became a big fan.

Hyperborean
Hyperborean

Lol had that album too. Good fun, at least the parts I can remember. :/

WestcoastDeplorable
WestcoastDeplorable

My 13 yr old G-son hasn’t yet been taught to conjugate a verb….doesn’t know much about American History either.

Mygirl....Maybe

So, Casey says run away to another country that will honor being allowed to arm oneself?Hmmm? Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t America supposedly a country that allows one to arm themselves? So Casey says it’s better elsewhere and no point in staying here?
Well….He may have a point if and when the brainwashed anti-gunners take over. Their ignorance and prejudice is astounding…try reading through this….

https://mobile.twitter.com/hashtag/IStandWithVirgina?src=hashtag_click

MrLiberty
MrLiberty

“What experience and history teaches us is that people and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it.”
― Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Jdog
Jdog

Government can never be trusted, and the government that governs best is that which governs least.
The Nation needs a movement to reduce government at both a National and local level.
The way to reduce government is by reducing funding for government. It is time for the people to demand drastic reductions in taxes at all levels and the result will be a massive reduction in government.

This can be accomplished by the circulation of petitions in which the signors pledge to only support and vote for candidates who promise tax reductions of Federal, State, and local levels…

Politicians are whores who will sell themselves to whatever cause will get them elected. If the majority of the people support government reduction by way of massive cutting of taxes, then, and only then will America begin to regain its freedom and self determination…

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug

“The way to reduce government is by reducing funding for government. ” Yes, that’s it. The police would never object. Try as you might, there is but one way. Solutions are obvious, and yet you want some sort of not-that-way way. You will never be mentally prepared for life. Ready for my downvotes, bitches.

MrLiberty
MrLiberty

No offense to Mr. Thomas or Mr. Casey, but enshrined in the US Constitution is my god-given right to firearms ownership for my own protection against my government (and whomever else). In most foreign countries, I am forbidden from gun ownership, challenged to bring hard assets into the country without oppressive taxation, and will ALWAYS be viewed as a foreigner (worse, an American). Mr. Casey has been a vagabond his entire adult life. For most of us, the rush to relocate would be based on someone’s “high praise” of an area (or maybe even their own financial interest in selling property – Casey’s Gulch for instance). That is NOT the sound basis for a move of one’s life and one’s family. When the SHTF, no country will be unaffected, and when the US government needs to reach out and steal from someone, no country will be immune or a protector of US “property” – ie. citizens. I think for the time I have left, the US will reluctantly be where I will hang out. My situation could be improved and will be soon. Having another place to run to might be nice. Hungary will give me a passport and likely citizenship if I can learn Hungarian (one of the most difficult languages I am told), but even they are in the crosshairs of the EU, Soros, and others, for their desire to preserve their culture and their sovereignty. Ultimately the US at least has a history and a tradition worth fighting for. Most of the other nations of the world are just posers when it comes to freedom and liberty.

Harrington Richardson
Harrington Richardson

Complete Bull Shit. Get four people to call in “man with a gun” in four disparate locations in almost any county ties up every local cop, county deputy and state cop within 50 miles. Most police units fall completely apart if they are not in control of every aspect of a situation. They do not know how to respond when they are not the aggressor. Their training assumes control, numbers, and being the one on offense. They would not survive an engagement involving a dozen people waiting for them with rifles and Molotov cocktails. The police become a non-entity in a true insurrection spread beyond one locale. Just my opinion.

'Reality' Doug
'Reality' Doug

What twelve people would win? You mean these sad sacks in meatspace that I see? However, the military is the real deal, and the descent of the Roman Republic into civil war was a war between military factions. That seems like a strong possibility to me, but to my mind the police far outclass the regular population from whence they are recruited.

DD More
DD More

“tens of thousands of officers, each with a badge and a gun. To be sure, their numbers in total are lower than the entire population.”

Forget the “Entire Population” and put up against the 10’s of thousand the Total: 15,486,123. That is the number of Paid Hunting License Holders* USA for 2017.
That is how many Paid to use their guns and in many states have to show gun safety training. Then add people who have guns, but don’t go hunting.
And how many of the LEO’s will follow orders vs follow the constitution. Even VA has many Sheriffs leading the gun grab fight.
And the Military rules and training leads most to follow the constitution also.
So don’t be too quick to count up sides.

e.d. ott
e.d. ott

Always the “live like a refugee” from this guy after leading his readers on.
Not buying what he’s selling.

You don’t have to live like a refugee, and not everyone is a sheep.

Anonymous
Anonymous

When guns are outlawed, only the Government will have guns. The Government – and a few outlaws. If that happens, you can count me among the outlaws.

Edward Abbey

Gammer
Gammer

The Virginia wives of the guards were getting threats so they wrote a letter to the governor to back down. How many police homes do we drive by every day, does anyone think they will risk their lives and family lives for an unconstitutional gun grab? They live amongst us , their kids go to the same schools they will not want targets on their backs or the backs of their families. Same with any military. How long does anyone think that will last. If they pull the trigger it will be very bad for all involved.
The nazies thought they would destroy a Jewish area in a couple days. A dozen handguns and they were at it for more than a year. Hundreds of dead soldiers. Same result when guns are hiding behind every blade of grass….the Japanese were smart enough to realize the futility of attacking an armed people. This is the ONLY thing stopping them from killing us all. Never give up your weapons.

YourAverageJoe
YourAverageJoe

Doug never gets tired of the suggestion of moving away to a better, safer country with more freedoms and rights, but I don’t think Argentina is that place.

DinCO
DinCO

When laws are passed that DEFINE us as criminals and outlaws, then we will start BEING criminals and outlaws. What that will mean for each of us remains to be seen.

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