Well, here it is, the last part of the story. I
sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this! And I hope that it got you thinking
about the state of our nation and the founding fathers' views on various issues.
Though of course it is hard to know the minds of men who have been dead for 200
years, from the tremendous amount of studying I did (as all the notes give proof
of) I strove to give an accurate acount of what these men would think of our
nation today. Enjoy!
-------
Bang!
The noise was loud and startling, and my eyes flew back open. The man who
pressed the knife against my chest suddenly rolled off of me and onto the paved
ground, covering his head with his hands. I got to my feet and, looking around,
was amazed to see that a lot of the crowd was on the ground in my would-be
murder’s same position or crouching behind any obstruction that gave them cover.
I turned towards the sound, and Benjamin Franklin stood before me with a smoking
pistol in hand.
To my left George Washington rose to his feet
between his two startled attackers and quickly strode towards us. “My friends,”
he said, “we must make haste out of here. We are outnumbered!” Washington helped
Benjamin Rush to his feet, and while still supporting the bruised doctor, he and
Benjamin Franklin started at a run down the street.
Snapped from my confusion at the president’s
commanding words, I quickly followed the three. I glanced over my shoulder as I
ran and was glad to see the ruffian and his friends were not making after our
group, but in that same glance, I saw that the security guard who had been
running towards the fight had drawn his gun from his holster and was running
after us. He was still a good many feet away, but he was yelling at us to stop.
I thought it was best to comply with these orders before one of us was shot. I
turned to yell at the founding fathers to stop, but the trunk of a tree met me,
effectively cutting off my yell.
The next thing I remember was looking up at the
face of the security guard as he stooped down next to me. “Are you okay?” he
asked, helping me up to a sitting position. “Are those old men your
friends?”
I looked around from where I lay at the foot of the
road-side tree I had slammed into, still dazed. My memory started coming back to
me, and I looked back at the man. “Yeah, they are my friends, well, kind of.
It’s a long story.”
The man helped me to my feet. “What in the world
happened? You have blood on your face!”
I wiped at the sticky blood as I briefly related to
the man the fight. After I had finished, the security guard looked down at the
hole in my shirt. “You are lucky your friend fired when he did, though he is in
big trouble for carrying a gun here. Come, I need to ask you and the men who
attacked you some questions. It would be good to round up your costumed friends
too. Can you call them on your phone and tell them to get back
here?”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t call them because
they don’t have phones. They are kind of old fashioned.” That, of course, was an
understatement.
We walked back to the front of the Old Post Office
Pavilion, but the crowd had dispersed and the men who had attacked our group
were gone. The security guard led me back into the old post office and pointed
me towards a bathroom. “Clean yourself up while I have a look around for your
friends or attackers. I will ask you some more questions
later.“
I went into the bathroom and quickly washed my
face, but I left the bathroom as soon as I could. I wanted to get back to my
friends, if that was at all possible.
Looking both ways, I quickly strode towards the door out of the mall.
Leaving the security guard behind when he still had questions for me was
probably a crime, but I had made up my mind.
I started back down the street the founding fathers
had run down just as several police cars pulled up, no doubt alerted to our
fight by the security guard or someone in the crowd. I left that place behind. I
then started to jog, looking down each street that branched off the main road as
I did. Suddenly I heard a “psst,” and
turning, I saw my three friends standing in one of the side streets. I Let out a
breath of air and walked up to them.
George Washington looked me up and down. “Ethan,”
he said, “It pleases me greatly to see that you are well. We feared something
evil had befallen you when we reached this street and lacked your presence.” He
took a step closer to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “I am glad
providence has granted that we meet again, for I sincerely wanted to thank you
for your brave actions a few minutes ago. I saw what you did, braving your life
to save me from that knife, and you have my most earnest and heartfelt thanks.
If there is ever anything I may do to repay this debt, I will do it
unreservedly. The president of these United States is at your
service.”
Under the earnest gaze of George Washington, I felt
uncomfortable, but also pleased. It felt very good to receive this thanks from
the man. “Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate that.” I turned to Benjamin
Franklin. “And also, thank you, Mr. Franklin, for firing when you did. Were you
aiming at the man on top of me?”
Benjamin Franklin shook his head. “Make no doubt,
it would have pleased me to dispatch that rogue on top of you, but with so many
people behind that man and with you under him, I thought it too risky to aim a
shot at him. I fired into the air.”
I nodded and looked past him at Benjamin Rush, who
was walking around in small circles, still limping. I addressed him. “Are you
okay, doctor?”
Benjamin Rush looked up at me. “I am fine, Ethan. I
was just walking around a little to try and lessen the pain in my ankle. I
twisted it badly after that scoundrel knocked me over, but from what I can tell,
it is only bruised.”
George Washington spoke up. “Friends, we must
decide what to do now. Ethan has fulfilled his service to us by bringing us
here, and we cannot hamper him anymore. I am sure he wants to get back to his
home.”
“As to that,” I replied, “I think I will have to
stay with you guys for a while and away from my car back at the mall. There are
several policemen there now, and if I was spotted, I might be in some trouble.
We all are probably in some trouble.”
“Policemen,” George Washington said, “if they are
the enforcers of the laws of our nation, shouldn’t we turn ourselves in? We did
nothing that we are ashamed to report to the marshals of this
land.”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea,” I said.
“Though of course you didn’t know it, carrying any kind of gun in Washington,
D.C. is prohibited, and I doubt the policemen will take you seriously when you
say that you didn’t know that law. You could be facing some very serious
penalties.”
George Washington replied, “You are probably
correct, though why guns have been prohibited in this district is a question
that I hope has a good answer.”
“Well, I guess it was done for safety, especially
for all the important people that come to this
capital.”
“Safety?” Washington questioned. “I hope that is
not the reason, for if it was, than every respectable citizen of this place
should bear arms! You saw how my pistol was used but a few minutes ago, as a
weapon of self-defense. A free people
ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and
well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they
should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others
for essential, particularly military, supplies*.”
I had no
response, so there was a moment of silence before Benjamin Franklin said, “If we
are truly sought after, then I fear we might as well give ourselves up. We stand
out in stark contrast to the people; we will be spotted sooner or
later.”
I nodded. This thought had occurred to me too. I
opened my mouth to respond, but a sound stopped me. It was the sound of people
marching. I turned towards the sound and saw that a myriad of people were
walking past the entrance to the street we were in. Many carried signs or
flags.
Benjamin Rush stopped his pacing and walked with a
slight limp to my side. “Who are they?”
“From the looks of it,” I said, peering closely at
the signs, “they are Tea Partiers.”
George Washington suddenly showed interest. “Tea
Partiers? Why are they called that?”
I shrugged. “According to what I have heard, they
are a far-right extremist group that thinks America needs to return to what they
claim is how the nation was originally founded.”
George Washington looked closer at the people
marching past. “Some of them are carrying “Don’t Tread On Me” flags with the
coiled rattlesnake.”
Benjamin Franklin nodded enthusiastically. “Yes,
the coiled rattlesnake, the great American symbol**. And look! Some of them are
dressed in garb similar to our own. I suggest we throw in our lot with these
patriots, for they will effectively conceal us from the policemen at the very
least. “
George Washington nodded, and we walked towards the
Tea Partiers, joining their ranks. I was by far the most hesitant to join the
crowd, for though my parents spoke fondly of the Tea Party movement, I had been
told elsewhere that they were radicals that should be avoided. This fear quickly
dissipated, though, for as I looked around at the crowd, I saw the faces of many
honest looking people, many of them returning my gaze with a nod and a smile.
There seemed to be something driving these people, a common motivation among
them. As I talked to a few of them and listened in to many of the conversations
around me as we marched, I came to believe that what drove these people was an
intense love for their country. I enjoyed marching with
them***.
My founding father friends were received in an even
more friendly manner. Many of the people in the crowd would smile and wave when
they saw the founding fathers. Some people even shouted “How are you, Mr.
Franklin!” or “Greetings, George Washington!”, not knowing that they were
welcoming the actual men themselves. The founding fathers would return these
greetings and many times start a discussion with the Tea Partier who had shouted
them, and most of the time the discussion seemed to please my friends, as a
handshake was exchanged. The founding fathers were very nearly beaming, even
George Washington, who hardly showed any emotion
otherwise.
Up ahead appeared the National Mall, and as we
approached, it was clear that was where the Tea Partiers were headed. Benjamin
Rush, who had been walking beside me most of the time since he was the least
recognized of the group, looked up at the Washington Monument as the Tea
Partiers around us started to fan out into the grassy area around the tall
tower. “This place is truly grand, Ethan.”
“Yes,” I said, nodding. “I never get tired of
coming here.”
Benjamin Rush smiled and tilted his head towards
Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, who were still in the middle of the
crowd. “They seem to like this place as well and would probably stay here among
these people for a considerable time. I feel that something is changing, though.
The queasiness I felt right before we were miraculously transported here has
returned. It is possible that we are being called back to our
age.”
I looked at the face of the doctor; he was serious.
“You’re sure?”
Benjamin Rush placed his hand on my shoulder. “Yes,
our time with you might be nearly up, Ethan.”
The two of us walked towards Benjamin Franklin and
George Washington. As we did, the people around us started calling out, “Speech!
Speech! Give us a speech, friends!” They were addressing the two founding
fathers in the middle of the crowd, who had become a sort of favorite among
them.
George Washington held up his hand. “Good citizens,
it has done me well to see so many of you gathered after all of the
disheartening news I have borne in my brief stay in your age. I have learned
from many of you that you hold to the laws of this nation that so many great men
established at my side, and for that I commend you! I have hope for this nation, as I have always
had, even if the times be dark, for truly the time is as dark for our nation as
it was at its birth. This nation is threatened just as much as it was when the
British Empire, the strongest military power in the world, bore down on our
shores. This threat, however, is not a military one; it is not one that you can
fight against with men and arms. This threat is something far more serious, the
threat that has toppled so many nations before us: moral decay. I know that many
of you are resolved to fight this threat, as any true patriot should, and surely
the hand of providence will be with you.”
George Washington paused to scan the faces looking
up at him. “My friends, in conclusion, let us all never forget this: that ‘while
we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we
certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the
distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the
more distinguished character of Christian.’**** Remember this always, citizens.
Fight for what has been given you, and may you overcome this threat!”
At these closing words, the Tea Partiers around our
first president clapped heartily and shouted their approval. The clapping
continued as Benjamin Rush and I found Benjamin Franklin and led him out of the
crowd. Once we were outside the crowd, Benjamin Rush addressed Benjamin
Franklin. “Mr. Franklin, do you not feel the uneasiness in your stomach that was
felt before we traveled to this age? It seems to me as if it might be time for
us to return.”
Benjamin Franklin nodded his round head. “Yes,
doctor, I feel the same. I feel also as if the quality of a younger body I
perceived I was blessed with at the beginning of our time here is slipping away;
I sense that the ailments that have irked me in my old age are returning.”
A concerned look came over his face, and Benjamin
Rush opened his mouth, but Benjamin Franklin held up his hand to cut off his
discourse.
“However, I am still well enough as to not be badgered by your hampering
questions, Dr. Rush. Let us find George Washington.”
Benjamin Rush, not looking all that happy about
being cut off by the round man, turned from Mr. Franklin. “Yes, where has our
president gotten off to? I think it would be wise to be together if we truly are
to be transported back to our time in this land.”
I looked around. I thought at first that he was
probably still in the crowd of the Tea Partiers, but as I turned towards that
crowd, I saw the stately man out of the corner of my eye. He was making away
from the crowd and was heading past the base of the Washington Monument. “There
he is.” I pointed. “I will go get him.”
Benjamin Rush nodded. “We will be waiting here.
Please hurry, Ethan.”
I strode in the direction of where I had seen
Washington heading. I too walked past the Monument and saw the Reflecting Pool
up ahead. A man stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back at its edge,
his image reflected in the water with the late afternoon light. The man did not
say a word as I approached, but I could tell from the reflection in the water
that it was George Washington.
“Sir,” I said, walking to his side, “Benjamin Rush
asked me to get you, for he thinks that his and your time here is up. Sir?” I
repeated when I did not get an answer.
George Washington, still looking out across the
water, spoke to me, and I was surprised at the quaver in his voice. “Ethan, I
was there when musket balls tore my men apart, when the bayonet was plunged into
their breasts; I saw the agony in their eyes as they fell to the ground and
breathed their last. Their blood stains this land. I was there when these men
under my command marched past me at Valley Forge, the snow bloodied on the path
they tread with nothing but rags on their feet and bodies.” The president
finally turned to me, and a tear ran down his cheek. “Those memories haunt me.
The patriots around me sacrificed everything for something they held dear—this
nation. As I see this same nation now, I can’t help but wonder if they died in
vain, if the pain they went through was all for not. Have they died just to see
this nation crumble in the days of their ancestors?”
George Washington paused, almost as if he wanted me
to answer his rhetorical question. I could not give an answer. Finally the
president spoke again, and this time his voice strengthened. “You must fight for
this nation, Ethan. You must not let the liberties bought with such a price of
sacrifice be lost while you still draw breath. You cannot remain idle. Align
yourself with these Tea Partiers, the closest I have seen to patriots in this
age. Give your all to defend the liberty that has been given you. The men of my
age gave everything, even their lives, for this liberty, this freedom; will
you?”
George Washington’s eyes searched my face as he
waited for my answer. “Yes.” I said this one word quietly, but I meant it. It
was the only word that was needed, and it was the last word I said to the
founding fathers. George Washington and I were silent as we walked back to
Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Rush.
Once there, each of the three men who had impacted
my life so greatly in that one summer afternoon shook my hand and stepped back
from me, each of them feeling the pull they had felt before they had been
transported to the parking lot I had been walking across. We stood a few feet
apart from each other in a few seconds of silence. I wanted to say something,
anything, to these men before me. I wanted to thank them. But my throat was too
constricted to speak.
George Washington, however, seemed to know my
desire, and he smiled at me. “Ethan, we are deeply grateful for everything you
have done for us, and we thank you for your friendship. I hope we will meet
again when your story is finished in this world and you stand before our Maker.
Goodbye, Ethan.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but a sudden sound of
air blowing towards us cut off the words. I turned towards the sound, and
suddenly a gust of wind surrounded me and a whistling noise again assaulted my
ears. I stooped over and held my hands over my ears, and the sound passed.
I turned back towards the founding fathers, but
they were gone. I stood, staring at the spot where the men had stood, wondering
if it had all been a dream. I put my hand in my pocket, and a cold piece of
metal met my touch. I pulled out the Spanish dollar coin given to me by the
founding fathers at the car dealership, and I smiled as I looked at it. I don’t
know how long I stood there, but finally I turned and headed back across the
grass of the National Mall. I needed to get back home, but what’s more, I had a
nation to fight for.
-------
*First Annual Address, to both House of Congress
(8 January 1790). Cited from Wikiquote.
**"I recollected that her eye excelled in
brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids—She may
therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor,
when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity
and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with
her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof
of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be
a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended
for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however
small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has
generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger
of stepping on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the
temper and conduct of America?" Benjamin Franklin on the rattlesnake.
Pennsylvania Journal, December 27, 2013.
*** I love Tea
Party rallies!
**** General Orders (2 May 1778)
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