‘The Dogmas of the Quiet Past, are Inadequate to the Stormy Present’

A 4th of July Message from Metal Trades Department President Jimmy Hart

In 1862, Abraham Lincoln addressed Congress saying, “The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise — with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.”

President Lincoln’s profound words could, and probably should, be uttered by our nation’s leaders today. Our country is reeling. Reeling from the effects of COVID-19 and the loss of lives and livelihoods. Reeling from the unprecedented unrest of protestors calling for change. These turbulent times demand our leadership step up this 4th of July and unite us, not divide us.

While I would love to put forth a holiday message filled with platitudes, and wishes for a safe holiday weekend, I just do not feel that that is the appropriate message this year. Of course, I wish you all well and hope that however you choose to spend your holiday weekend you are safe and enjoy your time. But I would be remiss if that is all I said.

This tumultuous year has brought on suffering the likes of which many of us have never experienced. And unfortunately, there is no panacea. No magic pill to solve the ills and injustices. As Lincoln said, “the occasion is piled high with difficulty.” But our country has experienced great upheaval before. We can and will get through this. But we must “think anew.” And we must “act anew.”

Independence Day in 1776 marked the start of a novel adventure for our nation. Let’s join together as American workers to ensure that the events of 2020 become a marker for our next novel adventure. We have a nation of bright and earnest workers who can lead us through our troubles. Let’s listen to them as we march forward. America, despite its flaws, is a great nation filled with promise. We are, of course, “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

God bless you all and God bless America.