Category: Lincoln

The Return of We the People: Betsey and James

5/18/2026

James Pemberton

Part 6/13

A bust.
For sure.
The owner of people.
How many Johnny?
Hundreds over the 30 years.
Davis owned James and Betsey?
Yes with a correction clarification.
Go.
Betsey self-emancipated with James Dennison.
Sign said James Pemberton.
Yet James Pemberton died in 1852.
Tough to run in 1864.
Right Yank.
Who was James Pemberton?
Jeff’s personal servant, slave, from 1829 until ‘52.
Twenty-three years.
Served Jeff’s father before that.

James Dennison

So James Dennison was Jeff’s servant slave after Pemberton died.
Now we enter new ground like your story Gus.
You said something was similar between me and Betsey and James.
Did.
What?
You all participated in events people wrote about.
So we can know me from the history of the 99th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
That and the war.
And for James and Betsey it was being a part of this place.
More part of the Davis household.
It is 1852 and James Dennison started … where are they at then?
Mississippi.
Then DC?
From 1853 until 1861 Gus.
DC from the eyes of James and Betsey.
Then Mississippi and Alabama and here in Virginia.
Same James Dennison?
Seems so.
Jeff was kind of stern.
Apparently James knew how to handle him.

Gospel

Betsey Johnny.
Varina's servant slave owned by Jeff.
Married to James?
Yes.
What did that mean, two enslaved in marriage?
Part of that humanness we talked about.
Say more Reb.
If in a long term relationship, that would possibly promote the interests of the owner.
Slave children.
Better behavior.
Less dissent.
More rights.
The Davis enslaved in Mississippi were freed by The Emancipation Proclamation, January 1863.
Correct Gus, and the Yankee army burned the Davis plantation in the same year.
So all their Mississippi friends and family were already free, by proclamation and war, by the time James and Betsey did the Someday walk.
Yes.
Feel like singing Johnny?
Do.
“I have read a fiery gospel, writ in burnished rows of steel.”
“As ye deal with my contemners, so with You my Grace shall deal.”

Next up: 1 June (part 7/13) The Return of We the People: Betsey and Varina.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

The Return of We the People: Rebels and Yankees

5/11/2026

Health

Part 5/13

… Rebels Gus.
Festive ones.
We didn't fight all the time.
I never saw ya party.
Just fight.
Is that Varina?
Yes, and she would say they are being kind.
She looks fine.
Exactly.
She didn't think so?
Who does?
Jeff on the left.
Kindness again.
Looks young.
And healthy.
Davis wasn't?
He had four healths Gus.
Okay.
Davis was either sick, getting sick, recovering from sick, or just fine.
Sick call type.
He would be weeks bedridden.
Uhhh …

Soldiers

Here are some Yankees Gus.
Dashing.
The best.
The colonnaded steps.
Yanks took over the building.
How Johnny?
Richmond's mayor went looking for someone to accept the city’s surrender - and for help with the fires.
Who did the mayor find?
The XXVth Corps.
Never heard of them.
A corps of Black soldiers formed in December 1864.
Black soldiers captured Richmond?
And helped put out the fires.
Good Lord Johnny.
The XXVth was commanded by a white German immigrant, Godfrey Weitzel.
Heard of him.
Western campaigns Yank.
Mississippi River.
West Point before that.

Time

Evacuated April 2nd 1865.
Varina left earlier, Jeff that day.
When did Godfrey the Immigrant and the Black XXVth arrive?
Morning of April 3rd.
Davis babies born here.
Two.
And they lost a five year old.
Fell off a ledge and died that day.
Confederate and personal.
Yes.
And self emancipators.
Beginning in May 1862.
I wasn't even a soldier yet.
And no Lincoln Emancipation Proclamation yet.
William took the Someday walk.
Freedom seeker.
James and Betsey are mentioned.
Right.
What do you know about them?
They’re kind of like you Gus.
Interesting - is that Davis?

Next up: 18 May (part 6/13) The Return of We the People: Betsey and James.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

The Return of We the People: Emancipate Yourself

5/4/2026

Hobbes

4 of 13

… Whoa Reb?!
What?
That.
It’s a ship shaft.
No, that side door.
For servants - it’s part of the tour Gus.
Is a servant a slave?
Getting precise.
The two words get slid together.
They do.
What is the distinction Johnny?
A servant slave gives up the right to kill a master.
And a slave never does.
According to Hobbes.
Calvin N. Hobbes?
Thomas Hobbes Gus, in a book called Leviathan.
Sounds Biblical.
Secular tome.
What does the servant get for not killing?
What do you think?

Someday

Something.
Like?
It would vary Johnny.
It did.
Humanness.
More liberty, more security, less violence.
Something.
Wouldn't work otherwise Yank.
Did servants run from here?
Yes.
From that door?
I suppose - I'm Johnny remember?
Duh.
One can say for sure people thought about it.
Start to imagine it.
Lincoln declared it.
So a Someday door.
Someday.

Numbers

Who did?
James and Betsey to name two Gus.
Ran from here?
January 8th in that year of your's.
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.”
“None but ourselves can free our minds.”
James and Betsey had to free themselves inside.
Like Bob sings of Yank.
What We the People need.
A free mind begins within.
None but ourselves.
Can end the Usurpation.
We got the numbers Johnny.
Napoleon said that was essential.
Nearly 350 million of us.
Against 435 of them.
Thus The Return.
Of We the People.
Let's continue.
This way Yank …

Next up: 11 May (part 5/13) The Return of We the People: Rebels and Yankees.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

The Return of We the People: Steps and Doorways

4/27/2026

Portal

3 of 13

Got a sign Gus.
Quite a name.
Marketing.
Starfish House wasn't working?
Stingray.
Right.
During the war it was called the Executive or President’s Mansion.
It’s old.
Like us.
The sign Johnny.
Built in 1818.
As a home.
Then Executive Mansion.
Until April 1865.
Then Yanks moved in.
Then a school Reb.
Then a museum.
And now what is it?
Portal.
Davis stepped here.
Lincoln stepped here too Gus.
Some of his last.
True.

Context

So that doorway saw a lot.
Part of being a portal.
Robert E. Lee?
Yes.
Mosby?
Maybe.
Why maybe?
Blur, you know Yank, too many particulars.
Davis had an office?
Here as well.
Let's go inside.
Maybe we see the visitor’s center first?
See Charlie?
There are things inside that best have some context.
Like what?
Context.
There are goddesses.
Good guess.
I took the one on the sign as a hint.

Virginia

The Roman Virtus Gus.
Virtus is on the Virginia flag.
Virtue kills a tyrant.
Mortal combat as virtue Johnny.
According to Virginia.
Understandable not using the Virginia story you told me.
Another Roman story.
Father slays daughter to keep her from being enslaved.
Virginius and Virginia.
That would be a tough image to put on a flag Reb.
Especially in a slave state.
You mentioned goddesses.
I did.
Where?
Visitor's center first.
After you.
It’s around back.
To the left?
Follow me.
Okay …

Next up: 4 May (part 4/13) The Return of We the People: Emancipate Yourself

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020: Jefferson Davis Knew, So Why Don’t You?

11/3/2019

Jefferson Davis knew, so Lincoln knew.

Since Lincoln knew, Grant knew.

Since Grant knew, Wilson knew.

Since Wilson knew, Roosevelt knew.

Since Roosevelt knew, Kennedy knew.

Since Kennedy knew, …

So ask yourself: Since Jefferson Davis knew how to represent We the People like George Washington and the founders, why don’t you?

*Next Up: 3 January 2020 and a 2020.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Gus Yank and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Strings

8/7/2018

Strings

11 of 13

“… And let’s talk about Kyd.”
“I hear music sometimes Reb.”
“Happens.”
“Normal?”
“Fairly.”
“Thanks for the Valkyrie explanation.”
“Did you see her wings?”
“Seeing her … you know …”
“That was probably planned.”
“… If the plan was to stun me, it worked.”
“Up to that point, you had the drop on me and the other Johnny.”
“Once you fired, she started from behind the bullet and overtook it.”
“It hit.”
“I just remember jawing with you about ‘Who got me killed?’”
“Kyd time.”
“Go J.”
“I want to use you Yank to talk about him.”
“Go for it.”
“Lincoln asked for volunteers in 1862 after a string of Confederate victories in Virginia.”
“Lee.”
“Augustus Kotka, citizen from Valparaiso Indiana –
“Valpo!”
“- Volunteered.”
“Did.”
“While you were volunteering that September, Kyd was on Jackson’s staff.”
“Stonewall.”
“There’s more to the string of victories than I can say now.”
“Okay.”
“Kyd would have known what I know is my point.”
“So Kyd had things on his mind, maybe knew things about Lee and Jackson and 1862, that others didn’t know.”
“Yes.”
“Being a young staff officer, that’s like being a private.”
“Carry weight.”
“Kyd? Did he carry weight?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“To the right of the sunrise, maybe ten miles, is South Mountain.”
“Interesting name.”
“Beyond that, less than 20 miles, is Frederick Maryland.”
“What happened there?”
“We rested there for three days after crossing the Potomac and leaving Virginia.”
“Everyone heard of that crossing.”
“Right.”
“What’s the problem Reb?”
“Orders were …”

Next Up: Part 12 on 9 August of the summer series Gus Yank and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Kyd.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Thereat: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb, On Our Way Mysteries

12/17/2017

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Flags

XII of XIII

“Whoa Reb!”
“What?”
“Virginia’s down.”
“I see that.”
“We should put the flag up.”
“Someone should.”
“Us.”
“No, not us.”
“Why?”
“Let’s give a human a chance.”
“Let a human do it you mean?”
“Right.”
“Who are these two?”
“Many things really.”
“There’s no battle flag, like the others: was he a Johnny?”
“He was a Johnny … and also a Confederate.”
“Why no flags?”
“Bit of a mystery.”
“There’s another flag too.”
“I see that Yank.”
“One flag down, two missing and another backgrounding.”
“Plays like a riddle.”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Characterize

“They lived a long life: what did they do Reb?”
“I’ll tell a quick version and then we’ll move on.”
“Characterize Johnny.”
“See when they were born?”
“1815.”
“So in 1855 and ’65 …”
“… They were a pair of 40 and then 50 year olds.”
“Alexander represented Virginia in the US House of Representatives.”
“US Rep? – When?”
“One term, 1859 to ‘61.”
“John Brown happened around here and then.”
“And Lincoln was elected in 1860.”
“Alexander: what did he do next?”
“Enlisted, was commissioned, and assigned to General Jackson’s staff.”
“That was fast.”
“Didn’t last long.”
“Why?”
“Alexander switched back to politics; he represented Virginia in the Confederate Provisional Congress and then again in the Confederate States House of Representatives.”
“Wow.”
“After the war, he came back too.”
“How?”
“US Pardon Clerk.”
“Mysteries abounding Johnny.”
“This way to the next one.”
“With ya …”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Thereat Mysteries

“… To another young Reb.”
“Another member of Jackson’s staff too.”
“Who’s the Kyd?”
“Remember Ferry Hill Yank?”
“Fairy Hill, of course.”
“Kyd grew-up there, in Maryland.”
“What did he do there?”
“Road the ferries some I imagine.”
“Road the Fairies?”
“Back-and-forth, that and farming.”
“Fairies worked the farm?”
“Moved goods Gus – and you know about ferries.”
“Why so sure Johnny?”
“You were a Yank for three years.”
“So?”
“All Yanks know ferries.”
“Then all Rebs know Fairies.”
“Agreed.”
“What was the point?”
“Kyd grew-up across the Potomac, in Maryland –”
“– And he’s buried in West Virginia.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Henry Kyd Douglas, as far as I know, is the most complicated Johnny Reb there is.”
“Is not was?”
“Kyd’s still a mystery.”
“How so?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Try.”
“Not here Gus.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere?”
“Sure … ready when you are.”
“Thanks … Ready.”
“After you Reb.”
“This way …”

*Next Up: Sunday 24 December and the Thereat finale (part XIII), Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb On Our Way Somewhere.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020: Tax Day Disses Our Revolution and Abraham Lincoln

4/15/2017

"No Taxation Without Representation"

Someone who disrespects is showing respect for another value.

For instance, the phrase “No Taxation Without Representation” animated the American Revolution. Taxation without representation is what monarchs and other toughies do and value; representation with taxation is a republican value.

So when We the People are disrespected, that is taxed without constitutional representation according to numbers, a usurper is actually showing respect to a monarchic mentality that we can call anti-republican and anti-USA.

President Abraham Lincoln February 1865

The same dis is observable in having Tax Day and the day Abraham Lincoln died coincide: usurpers did that, not republicans.

One can say Lincoln saved our Republic from killing itself; having Tax Day on his death day shows a lack of humility on the part of the usurpers. Simply put, it is arrogance.

April 15th is a double Republic dis: taxation without representation and it mocks the accomplishments and sacrifice of Abraham Lincoln. We are, by the logic of this day, the Usurped States of America and not the united ones.

*Next Up: This Wednesday April 19th and some serotonin receptor science.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Usurpation Day 2017: Augustine, Freedom and Arendt Footnotes #8

4/9/2017

Usurpation Day 2017: Arendt Footnotes #8

Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, on 9 April 1792, Congress initiated the representation usurpation we still live under, the one against We the People and our birthright, constitutional representation according to numbers.

Usurpation of representation is illegal, immoderate and unconstitutional.

Usurpation of representation is a stolen American birthright.

Usurpation of representation is an act of war against We the People.

Speak your birthright America: for those who believe in the US Constitution, let 2020 begin today.

Hannah Arendt
The Human Condition
Section 24: The Disclosure Of The Agent In Speech And Action
(177, bold added)

To act, in its most general sense, means to take an initiative, to begin (as the Greek word archein, “to begin,” “to lead,” and eventually “to rule,” indicates), to set something into motion (which is the original meaning of the Latin agere). Because they are initium, newcomers and beginners by virtue of birth, men take initiative, are prompted into action. [Initium] ergo ut esset, creatus est homo, ante quem nullus fuit (“that there be a beginning, man was created before whom there was nobody”), said Augustine in his political philosophy. (footnote 2) This beginning is not the same as the beginning of the world; (footnote 3) it is not the beginning of something but of somebody, who is a beginner himself. With the creation of man, the principle of beginning came into the world itself, which, of course, is only another way of saying the principle of freedom was created when man was created but not before.

2. De civitate Dei xii. 20.

3. According to Augustine, the two were so different that he used a different word to indicate the beginning which is man (initium), designating the beginning of the world by principium, which is the standard translation for the first Bible verse. As can be seen from De civitate Dei xi. 32, the word principium carried for Augustine a much less radical meaning; the beginning of the world “does not mean that nothing was made before (for the angels were),” whereas he adds explicitly in the phrase quoted above with reference to man that nobody was before him.

Next Up: Saturday April 15th and a 2020: Tax Day Disses Our Revolution and Abraham Lincoln.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Republican Values: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb On Our Way Birthright

3/5/2017

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW Divided

Part 11 of 13

“We was born into usurpation, weren’t we Johnny?”
“We were.”
“That’s like being born into slavery.”
“Same power.”
“How’s that?”
“Same power that Plato was up against.”
“Might makes right.”
“Yes Yank.”
“So it’s always been something about the people.”
“Divide and conquer usually.”
“Ouch.”
“The people was sort of a derogatory phrase Gus.”
“Bad.”
“Slaveholders would even refer to their slaves as ‘the people.’”
“Like who?”
“Lee.”
“Robert E.?”
“It was common Gus.”
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
“Correct.”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW House

“Lincoln.”
“1858.”
“Fifty-eight Reb?”
“When Lincoln was running for the Senate.”
“He lost.”
“And then won the presidency in 1860.”
“Did Lincoln coin the Divided House phrase?”
“No, Sam Houston used it.”
“Heard of him.”
“Texas Governor who wouldn’t rebel in 1860.”
“Who else?”
“Thomas Paine.”
“Common Sense.”
“Thomas Hobbes.”
“Never heard of him.”
“Saint Augustine.”
“Sounds vaguely familiar.”
“The Gospels.”
“Heard of them.”
“Mathew and Mark.”
“Oh my.”
“Lincoln was quoting Jesus Gus.”
“Smart man Johnny.”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW United

“It mostly worked.”
“’Cept for the war.”
“Blame the usurpation.”
“Usurpation divides We the People.”
“That is its purpose Gus.”
“And today in 2017?”
“Worse.”
“Worse?”
“Worse as measured by the constitutional definition of We the People.”
“So our Republic prefers usurpation to constitutional representation?”
“Our Republic is stuck in usurpation.”
“Sounds like Tory Crown.”
“Correct Gus.”
“So to get America unstuck?”
“Use our exceptionalism.”
“Our exceptionalism?”

*Next Up: 12 March and part 12 of Republican Values: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb On Our Way Census.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner