The Battle of Athens: Keeping the Rule of Law
In 1946, the people of Athens, Tennessee gave a resounding “NOT ON MY WATCH” to voter fraud and corruption in their county election when a group of World War II veterans took matters into their own hands. Although the veterans did not draw first blood, they were ready, able and willing—and ultimately they set things right again for their election.
The ripple effect from what is known as “The Battle of Athens” set the rule of law back upright in counties all over the U.S., and stopped the corruption…at least for a while. All they wanted in 1946 was the assurance that the voting was counted without cheating. It was—for a while.
In order to have a government of the people, we must be assured that we have watchmen – no, that WE are watchmen — to prevent tyrants from taking over again.
Are we watching? Are we guarding our Liberty? Is our system too infested with corruption to set it back upright?
Personally, I always have hope. When I speak to my Senators and Representatives—which I encourage all of you to do–I find two different types. There are those that are seeking the truth and working for the good of the people, and there are those that are seeking power and usually money. The latter tend to hide things and sneak… like your two-year old that found candy before dinner. They are also cowards.
We do not have to put up with it. We just have to show up and speak truth to power. The more people we have paying attention and speaking up for the rule of law, the more likely we are to get it back.
John Peck, of The Daily Post-Athenian, Athens, Tenn., August 21, 1946 put it like this:
“The choice is in your hands; 1. Take an active part in your government, as is your duty and privilege as a citizen, or 2. The next time you find that your government has fallen into the hands of unscrupulous politicians just say, ‘It’s my own fault, I had a chance to do something about it but slept through it.’”
Now enjoy this amazing movie clip about a group of Americans willing to fight for justice in 1946, called “The Battle of Athens: Restoring the Rule of Law”: