Category: Lincoln

The Turn of We the People: Think of (All) the Children

9/22/2026

700,000

9/13

Never seen a light like this Reb.
Special.
It has a tube attached.
Charlie said it was a gas.
Davis smoked.
Children running around too Yank.
Kind of a small Knights of the Round Table.
Jeff was a late nighter.
Quiet time.
Plan your destruction time Gus.
And yours Johnny.
War touches all.
How many of us died?
Something like 700,000.
In 48 months Johnny.
Nearly 15,000 a month.
All those sons.
Fathers.
Brothers.
Someone's child Gus.
Everyone had a momma.

Equal in light

Jeff sits here by the fire.
Varina asleep next door.
Their children sleeping in the other room.
Jeff sits here by the light.
While holding the keys of war Gus.
Hard to understand Jeff ignoring the Constitution.
Jeff was against the self-made man.
Lincoln.
Against the idea that a child is its own light.
Couldn't see Betsey and James as equal in light.
Thought Betsey and James inferior Yank.
Damn it Reb.
Jeff?
The whole damn slavery thing.
Slavery economics Gus.
Are economics of oppression.
Usurpers don't think of all the children.
This room tires.
Next.

Absence presence

The 700,000 are missing.
Absence has a presence.
Remember Kenny Reb?
Kennedy Grogan.
Buried in Berryville.
Killed on his 20th birthday.
Assaulting a house of Jesus.
Turned into a fort.
Amen Johnny.
What chance did Kenny have Gus?
Caught up in a world.
Set on fire by Jeff and his ilk.
A treasonous ilk.
One is to think of the children.
When one thinks of the thirty Thousand.
We the People includes all American children.
We can't leave them this anti-American usurpation.
We the People need to be adults about representation.
Think of the American legacy Reb.
And what we are leaving the children.

*Next Up: 29 September part 10/13 The Turn of We the People: Women.

Posted by Bryan W Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Return of We the People: Righteousness

7/1/2026

Acquiescence

13/13

How’s your stomach Reb?
Almost there.
We had a madness flip.
And a sadness flip.
Most pancakes take at least three flips Johnny.
Righteousness.
Teach.
It is wrong.
The 435?
I mean how no one speaks publicly Yank.
Silence is acquiescence.
And it is wrong.
We have the right to petition.
We can read.
We can ask.
We can do.
The Constitution was written for a simple audience Johnny.
It was read before fireplaces and around tables.

Self-evident

In fancy rooms and log cabins.
Wherever Americans gathered.
No one needed a lawyer.
Righteous.
No one needed a Supreme Court.
Righteous.
Because constitutional representation was self-evident.
Is.
We don't need a court to tell us it says two Senators per state.
Manifest Yank.
The Constitution is wisdom to the mighty.
And succour to the brave.
Elbridge being back is a sign needed Reb.
He represents someone who denied the thirty Thousand on Usurpation Day.
An original Usurpecan.
And someone who comes back to the Republic.

For the duration

Like Lee.
Longstreet and Mosby too Yank.
Seems Lincolnesque.
The returning.
Righteousness is more than being right.
Rooted in justice.
It is a commitment.
For the duration.
Victory.
Madness, sadness, and righteousness Gus.
Feelings Johnny.
Nice to feel again.
If your stomach flipping is a sign, what would it mean?
Some kind of turn.
For?
We the People.

*Next up: 31 July 2026 (part 1/13) The Turn of We the People.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Return of We the People: Comedy and Tragedy

6/22/2026

Feelings

10/13

Where are the goddesses?
[Silence]
Reb?
[Silence]
This is no time to go poofing Johnny?
I, I … didn't poof.
You okay?
I think I had a feeling Gus.
You?
I know.
A feeling?
I think it was.
What?
Felt like I had a stomach and it was flipping.
Flipping?
Like a pancake.
Why?
Spirits.
Where are the goddesses?
Turn to the left.

Tragedy

Who is this Johnny?
Tragedy I think.
Tragedy?
A representation.
Why Tragedy?
Ask the Greeks.
Why here I mean?
Came with the house.
Shouldn't it be Athena?
It was Tragedy.
Victory?
We have Comedy over here.
Of course we do.
They go together.
In theater and war.

Comedy

Comedy Yank.
So these were here when Robert E. Lee walked in?
Lincoln too.
And when Varina and Betsey went out for the day.
And here to welcome them home.
Quite the symbols.
Set a tone.
What’s with the wired chairs?
Props.
Don't sit?
Right.
Won't stop a goddess.
Hardly.
You hear that?
Hear something.
Sounds of music.
A cue perhaps?
Goddesses suggesting we move on.
Outro music.
Let's continue touring Reb.
And leave the timeless to be.

*Next up: 29 June (part 11/13) The Return of We the People: Madness.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner / Support the US Constitution

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