After witnessing a demonstration of this inspiring “app” (as you moderns describe it), I’ve decided to put this to work myself. Thanks to my rather modest inventing skills, I managed to cobble together a Zoom session of my own, consisting of some of my own 18th century acquaintances, along with a few historical notables from other time periods.
Here’s how my session proceeded:
Ben: Welcome, everyone. I’ve invited you all here today to take part in a first-of-a-kind, history-making conversation of past and present, with both old and new players.
Thomas Jefferson: Who are you calling old, Dr. Franklin? I take exception to your opening statement. As a vibrant man of 33, I’m certainly not past my prime!
Ben: No offense intended, my dear Tom. I was referring to the concept that some of us here today were not even born yet when the others were forging peace treaties, writing Declarations, or fighting decisive battles.
Abraham Lincoln: I can attest to that, certainly. I feel honored to be included in such a group of esteemed colleagues and visionaries.
Ben: Well, then, let’s get down to business, shall we? The reason I called you all here is to share some ideas that could prove helpful to people who are presently suffering through this world-wide pandemic.
Mahatma Gandhi: If I could contribute one small thought, I would say that it’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that is important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, it may not be in your time, that there will be any fruit. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
Ben: Thank you, Mahatma, for that extremely wise perspective.
George Washington: I concur with Mahatma, and would add this, knowing that when you are doing the right thing, it’s vital to keep your eye on the goal. Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; it procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
Abraham Lincoln: Precisely! One must be determined and remain united in the quest. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Ben: Couldn’t agree more, myself. When our 13 separate colonies were waging war against a common aggressor, I reminded them in an editorial cartoon to join together or die. Or, in other words, if we didn’t hang together, we would most assuredly hang separately.
Thomas Jefferson: I would add a word of caution, however, Dr. Franklin. There must be some distinctions made when we as a people come together in the pursuit of a common goal. All too often, some special interest groups may wish to take advantage of the movement. I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power. So we must guard against a vocal minority — bankers, privileged persons, certain political parties, etc. — overruling the people’s will, either by depriving them of their vote or by taking away basic liberties like freedom of speech.
Dwight Eisenhower: Interesting you should say that, Jefferson. At the close of my presidency, I warned the country against the special interests of the military/industrial complex, whose growing influence was even then being felt in councils of government. I said that the potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power existed and would persist.
George Washington: Hmm. I observed a similar trend, back in the 1700s! In fact, I declared that over-grown military establishments are, under every form of government, inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to the liberty of the republic.
Ben: True, so true. So, could we say that we all agree upon the matter of staying the course recommended by certain leaders in the know, who have credible, demonstrated scientific or medical expertise in fighting this epidemic — like quarantine measures that prevent the spread — but that we must stay vigilant against abuses of power that threaten our democratic processes?
Washington: Absolutely!
Lincoln: Yes, beyond a doubt. The survival of the Republic is foremost in importance.
Eisenhower: We survived four major wars in my lifetime. We must prevail against this new enemy, but not by sacrificing our health, our lives, our families, or our freedoms.
Mahatma: But, let us remember: we must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
Ben: Yes, indeed! We shall succeed. And our faith in the overall goodness of humanity will be proven once again, when we all emerge from this darkness.
So thank you, all of you, for taking part in this special time travel edition of Zoom. Your collective thoughts and reflections will be very encouraging, and extremely helpful, for the days ahead.
Your humble servant,
B.Franklin