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Part X of XIII

“… Happy Constitution Day Yank.”
“Smudge Day Johnny.”
“Yupper.”
“Tell the story again, about how George had the founders put a smudge on the Constitution.”
“I thought you might ask Gus.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
“So you have something prepared?”
“Let me present, Constitution Day 1787.”
“Let’s go Reb.”
“Nowhere to go Yank, as we can story-tell right here.”
“Okay.”
“Conjure and imagine, if you will, the interior of …

INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILADELPHIA PA – DAY 17 SEP 1787

GEORGE WASHINGTON (55) is chairing the Constitutional Convention and it is the last day, signing day, 17 September 1787. The hall is full of founders, such as ALEXANDER HAMILTON (30), JAMES MADISON (36), and BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (81); they are all gathered to conclude the convention and begin their journeys home. The (almost) completed Constitution is read aloud as well as a speech written by Franklin. WE HEAR the MURMUR of restive and attentive voices as NATHANIAL GORHAM (49), someone known to all in the room, rises to speak; he is a Massachusetts delegate, Chairman of the Whole during the convention, and Washington acknowledges him from the podium.

WASHINGTON
I see Nathanial, the honorable Mr. Gorham, would like to speak.

GORHAM
Gentlemen, if it is not too late, I would like that the clause declaring, 'the number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every forty Thousand,' be reconsidered.

WASHINGTON
You mean the representation clause.

GORHAM
Yes, and since it produced so much discussion, perhaps we should reconsider it.

WASHINGTON
Your proposal?

GORHAM
For a greater representation of the people, I propose we strike out 'forty' Thousand and insert 'thirty' Thousand.

HAMILTON
Agreed!

FRANKLIN
Yes!

Madison nods agreement.

WASHINGTON
(pauses) 
Although my situation has hitherto restrained me from offering sentiments on questions before the convention, and perhaps ought to now –

LAUGHTER. 

I can’t forbear expressing my wish that the change proposed might take place.

HAMILTON
Say more.

WASHINGTON
It is much desired that the objections to the plan recommended might be as few as possible, and the smallness of the proportion of Representatives was considered by many members of the Convention, an insufficient security for the rights and interests of the people.

FRANKLIN
Yes.

WASHINGTON
The representation ratio had always seemed to me to be the exceptionable part of the plan, and late as the present moment was for admitting amendments, I believe it of so much consequence that it would give much satisfaction to see it adopted.

The founders then vote and the change is unanimously accepted. Madison and a clerk make the edit to the Constitution by altering the word 'forty' into 'thirty,' and in doing so leave a smudge.”

“Thanks for The Story of Smudge Day Johnny.”
“You’re welcome.”
“What’s the word on the usurpers and the surrender?”
“Merrick Garland.”
“Who’s that?”
“The Attorney General for We the People.”
“Word is?”
“We’ve asked for support.”
“I like it.”
“Also, there’s some news about Sarah.”
“Berry?”
“Right, …”

Next Up: 1 October and part XI of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Sarah.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Part IX of XIII

“… How’s this?”
“Thanks Reb.”
“Them crows got to ya Yank.”
“I wasn’t sure what to think?”
“I heard ‘em too.”
“There are a lot of crows in Berryville.”
“Yes.”
“There’s even a street named Crow.”
“That’s for a family.”
“I thought so too, and said so to the crows.”
“And?”
“The crows, they wondered who that family would be named after, if not them?”
“Crows.”
“What is with these obelisks Johnny?”
“Good question Gus.”
“They’re … ”

​
​“… How much slavery was there here in Berryville?”
“Clarke County was about half enslaved in 1860.”
“Berryville’s in Clarke.”
“County seat.”
“These stone obelisks, crosses and testimonials, were built with slave coin.”
“I hear ya.”
“The stained glass windows, the brick church.”
“Economy of slavery.”
“We can see what enslaved people built, what their labors contributed.”
“We can.”
“It’s right here, here in these stones.”
“And the stained glass.”
“What’s next Johnny?”
“Got some news Gus.”
“Do tell.”

​

“The truth has come.”
“The thirty Thousand.”
“And the falsehood shall vanish.”
“The usurpation.”
“And shall not come back.”
“Sounds like you’ve gotten word.”
“Word is expected by 17 September Gus.”
“Constitution Day.”
“Yes.”
“What if no word?”
“Then the Office of the - ”
“- Don’t say Reb.”
“Right.”
“Soon enough, we’ll all know.”
“Meantime … let’s look for some Berrys.”
“Johnny: I had forgotten our purpose.”
“This way Gus …”

Next Up: 17 September and part X of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Smudge Day 2021.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Part VIII of XIII

“… Here’s a part of me: Kennedy Grogan, C.S.A.”
“In memory of.”
“Killed at Greenland Gap, West Virginia.”
“Where’s that Johnny?”
“About a hundred miles west.”
“Grogan was killed April 25th, 1863.”
“Aged 20 years.”
“There’s no date of birth.”
“Might have been his birthday.”
“The day a Yank …”
“Right.”
“How’d we get here Johnny?”
“What do you mean?”
“Where ‘Mericans like me are killing ‘Mericans like Grogan.”
“Calhoun.”
“Where’d Calhoun learn usurpin’?”
“Yale.”
“A Northern connection.”
“Still.”

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“What do you know about Greenland Gap?”
“Yanks heard us Rebs were on the move, so they guarded the mountain gaps.”
“Grogan?”
“Why you being so formal?”
“Kenny then.”
“Kenny was riding with about fifteen hundred Confederate cavalry.”
“How many Yanks held the gap?”
“Around ninety.”
“Ninety?”
“Yank infantry fortified a few houses and a two-story, made of oak timbers, German church.”
“Turned it into a fort.”
“We assaulted the church after nightfall.”
“Kenny?”
“His unit, the 35th, was part of the assault.”
“Kenny was killed assaulting a fortified church?”
“Looks like.”
“Hear them crows?”


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​Part VII of XIII
 
“… Something is happening Gus.”
“Tell me more Reb.”
“There doesn’t appear to be any resistance.”
“No one will defend the 435.”
“Correct.”
“Have the usurpers surrendered to the Constitution?”
“No.”
“I remember that feeling.”
“What do you remember?”
“Well, as Gus Kotka, I didn’t know about the thirty Thousand.”
“Right.”
“But as Gus Yank, well lots of Yanks knew, just like Jefferson Davis knew.”
“I hear ya.”
“Since we didn’t surrender to the Constitution until later …”
“… It makes sense they are feeling what we felt.”
“What would George say?”
“Political theory: George would ask Madison.”
“James would say?”

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“Build a coalition of the constitutionally willing.”
“Sounds like us Reb.”
“Madison said there is a peculiarity in the Constitution.”
“What peculiarity?”
“With the Senate designed to represent states, and the House population, the peculiarity is that the largest populated states will align against the smallest concerning representation.”
“California vs. Delaware you’re saying Reb.”
“Texas vs. Rhode Island.”
“I understand.”
“That’s what’s happening Yank.”
“The formation of a coalition of the constitutionally willing.”
“In support of constitutional representation and the Seventh Amendment.”
“America’s been doing We the People wrong for 230 years.”
“Time to do We the People right.”
“Let’s visit a Reb.”
“Over here Yank, and up close …”
 
Next Up: 21 July and part VIII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Greenland Gap.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

​Part IV of XIII
 
“… I’ll wait.”
“Wait’s over Yank.”
“You mean today’s the day?”
“Yes.”
“Did Tell-Lie-Vision show it Johnny?”
“Tell-Lie-Vision showed the consequences of the representation usurpation.”
“But no George Washington’s thirty Thousand?”
“Correct.”
“Then what happened?”
“The Speaker of the House has been contacted.”
“About the thirty Thousand?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“Let’s give it a bit.”
“So you’re saying let’s wait to see what the Speaker says?”
“Yes.”
“What should we do in the meantime?”
“Grace.”
“Let’s go ~ touching elbows Reb.”
“Touching elbows Yank …”

Speaker of the US House of Representatives,
 
Peace to the United States of America. The US Constitution, in Article 1 Section 2 Clause 3, guarantees We the People representation in the House of Representatives at the ratio of one for every thirty Thousand: this is not what happens. This representation usurpation is unconstitutional, against the expressed wish of George Washington, and undermines We the People. Please address this issue with the power of the Speaker’s office and your spirit of perseverance.
 
A citizen,
Bryan W. Brickner

Next Up: Usurpation Day 2021 and part V of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Grace.
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

​Part III of XIII
 
“… What day is today Reb?”
“Veterans Day, 11 November 2020.”
“A day to honor veterans?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, a good Veterans Day to you Johnny.”
“Uh …”
“What?”
“Not all of me is …”
“Reb, you a composite spirit you said.”
“I am.”
“That is all of you then, and a lot of you Johnny Rebs served in the US Army.”
“Of course, but -”
“- But nothing.”
“Feels weird Yank.”
“Lee and Longstreet.”
“Served and rebelled.”
“They came back to the Union.”
“They came back.”
“We’re gonna need all your composite parts Reb, to end the usurpation.”
“You have flexible thoughts Yank.”
“Thanks.”
“And a good Veterans Day to you Gus.”
“Johnny, I was wondering.”
“You were?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
“I was wondering about the thirty Thousand and Knowbody’s time."
“Go on.”
“I was wondering if it was only the one time or if it could be another time as well?”
“It can be any time.”
“There’s just one you know for sure.”
“The one Knowbody meant.”
“So Tell-Lie-Vision, for example, could report the thirty Thousand today.”
“Or tomorrow.”
“And then there’s also Knowbody’s time.”
“Yes.”
“Well Johnny …”
 
Next Up: 20 January 2021 and part IV of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Inaugurations.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Grace is an attribute of Jesus.
 
The I Ching describes grace as: inside, the strength of simplicity and self-knowledge, outside, the beauty of acceptance and gentleness.
 
On 9 April 1792, the US House of Representatives couldn’t override President Washington’s veto, so they usurped a right of We the People.
 
On 9 April 2020, the usurped right to representation according to numbers effects all We the People.
 
If one uses sex, females are the most underrepresented in the House, composing 51 percent of We the People and only 23 percent representation.
 
If one uses economics, the middle and lower classes are the most underrepresented.
 
If one uses constitutionalism, representatives of We the People supporting President Washington and the thirty Thousand are the most underrepresented.
 
We are no longer a republic: this is tyranny.
 
End the representation usurpation to become a republic again.
 
*Next Up: Constitution Day 2020 with Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’.
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Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Part 10 of 13
 
“… Cannon without carriage.”
“Battle’s over.”
“There’s another thing about 9 April 1792 Gus.”
“What Johnny?”
“Fort Sumter.”
“What about Fort Sumter?”
“The fort was named after Thomas Sumpter.”
“With a P?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s he?”
“American revolutionary.”
“Knew Morgan?”
“Definitely, as Sumpter was from Virginia and, like Morgan, fought the British in South Carolina.”
“What’s Sumpter got to do with Usurpation Day?”
“Sumpter was in the House with Gerry.”
“Representing Virginia?”
“South Carolina.”
“Go on.”
“The British general Morgan defeated at Cowpens gave Sumpter a nickname.”
“What?”
“Carolina Gamecock.”
“Fighter.”
“Thomas Sumpter voted Against the usurpation on 9 April.”
“Supported Washington’s veto.”
“And the Constitution.”
“Unlike Gerry.”
“Fact.”
“And then you rebels, ordered by Jefferson Davis, fire on Sumpter’s namesake, Fort Sumter.”
“April 1861.”
“What’s the Latin mean?”
“This is about Cowpens.”
“Duci Ex- I can’t make it out Reb.”
“Duci Exercitis … Translates as leader of armies (or army leader).”
“Who’s the native?”
“Uh … let’s step over here.”
“Why Reb? …”
 
*Next Up: 6 October and part 11 of Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Hellenistic.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Part 8 of 13
 
“… Elbridge Gerry.”
“Never heard of him.”
“You will.”
“Listening.”
“Gerry was in the House on 9 April.”
“Usurpation Day.”
“Representing Massachusetts.”
“Yank.”
“A mischief-making Yank.”
“Say more Reb.”
“Gerry was also at the Constitutional Convention.”
“With the founders?”
“Yup.”
“Did he sign?”
“Nope.”
“Why Johnny?”
“Gerry didn’t sign ‘cuz he said democracy was the worst of all political evils.”
“Evil?”
“Evil.”
“Go on.”
“Then on 9 April 1792 Gerry supports the usurpation.”
“Leader thereof?”
“Evil is as evil does.”
“Chief Mischief Maker then.”
“Correct Gus.”
“One hears the truth and does it.”
“The other hears the truth and quibbles.”
“Amen.”
“Gerry also predicted our civil war.”
“When?”
“The first Constitution Day.”
“So Gerry didn’t sign the Constitution on 17 September, said there’ll be civil war, and then led the usurpation five years later.”
“And there’s more.”
“Constitutional sinner.”
“Yup.”
“What’s with the circle Johnny?”
“Let’s look closer …”
 
*Next Up: 2 October and part 9 of Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Jefferson Davis.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Part 6 of 13
 
“… Here we are Reb.”
“Perfect.”
“Almost.”
“What Yank?”
“No goddess.”
“Like before.”
“Slab’s still there.”
“And Thunderbolt’s in the shadows.”
“Reb – what were you gonna say about Tell-Lie-Vision and the thirty Thousand?”
“That Tell-Lie-Vision is now our ally.”
“It wasn’t?”
“No.”
“Why now Reb?”
“It needs the truth.”
“It tells lies with visions.”
“Yet lies need truths.”
“An example.”

​“Camp life Gus.”
“Rife with rumors.”
“Twenty-four seven.”
“Things that disturb.”
“And entertain.”
“With nonsense.”
“Those are Tells Gus.”
“The camp takes on the Tells.”
“Everyone gets all Telled-up.”
“And then?”
“The Tell becomes real.”
“The Lie becomes real Reb.”
“Correct.”
“Camp gets mutinous.”
“Sound familiar?”
“Does Johnny.”

“Then the Vision.”
“Like fire you said.”
“Spreads like that Gus.”
“And?”
“The whole camp gets to believing the Lie.”
“A correction coming.”
“That’s how Tell-Lie-Vision will help us in the future.”
“Sounds like a fulcrum.”
“Nice.”
“And the Lies have the Truths stuck in the air.”
“And all constitutional questions begin and end with the thirty Thousand.”
“It’s We the People Reb.”
“It’s the Electoral College Yank.”
“The Seventh Amendment.”
“Article the first of the Bill of Rights.”
“The first veto and Usurpation Day.”
“And 17 September.”
“Good thinking Reb.”
“Thanks Yank.”
“Where’d our sign go?”
“The goddess?”
“Yeah …”
 
*Next Up: 27 September and part 7 of Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Daniel Morgan.
 
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner