Rekindling Manifest Destiny: Revitalizing America

By Robin Navarro Montgomery

The concept of Manifest Destiny has been highly misinterpreted. Such items as the Cherokee Trail of Tears, the US as the hemisphere policeman, exploitation of Pacific Island Nations, and the list goes on, have been, and continue to be blamed on alleged Christian-based Imperialism.

Hence this book focuses on setting the record straight, showing via a historical and political analysis how this misinterpretation has occurred. It begins with a focus on the initial premises dating to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. From there comes a central focus on the Cherokee environment setting the stage for the Trail of Tears, followed by US continentalization, all within the context of the political-religious environment of the times and setting.

In the post-Civil War period the focus shifts to the framework of the emerging Darwinian era, and its impact on the sociopolitical environment through World War I and Woodrow Wilson's vow to "Make the World Safe for Democracy." This with a focus on Wilson's explicit reference to the Darwinian base of his policy.

From there traced is the link leading to the official announcement of the New World Order in 1989 by US president H. W. Bush and Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. By this juncture, it is shown, the national philosophical foundation has succumbed to an existentialist-linked framework which impacted even much of the Christian Church, a situation which has expanded its reach through the time of this publication, underpinned via the expanding power of the United Nations.

Finally, we reach the key purpose of the book, to demonstrate the positive impact which a reinterpretation of Manifest Destiny, in its true and original context, could have on our time, in light of the current national and international strategic scene.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890436658

Book preview

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Rekindling Manifest Destiny

Revitalizing America

Robin Navarro Montgomery

ISBN 979-8-89043-664-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89043-665-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Robin Navarro Montgomery

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preamble

A Special Acknowledgement

Rekindling Manifest Destiny

Chapter 1

Principles

O'Sullivan Births Manifest Destiny: Expression of Divine Principle

Texans Agree: Intelligence and Virtue

Winthrop Marks the Principal of Individualism and Equality

Making and Challenges of a Peacemaker

The City on a Hill

Four-Point True Essence of Manifest Destiny

Chapter 1 Notes

Chapter 2

United States Application of Biblical Principles

First and Second Great Awakenings

The United States' Principle-Laden Declaration of Independence

Religious, Philosophical Context for the Constitution

Montesquieu

Blackstone

John Locke

The Paradox of Freedom: The Slavery Issue

Chapter 2 Notes

Chapter 3

Kindling of the Westward Swing

Rise of the Frontier Mentality

British Proclamation of 1763

Rise of the Chickamauga War

Spain's Negative Reaction to the Treaty of 1783

Release of the Frontier Spirit of Destiny

The Pivotal Spanish Proclamation of 1784

Frontier Intrigue

Frontier Intrigue Begins to Bear Success

Carondelet and Spain's Last Stand

Treaty of San Lorenzo

Chapter 3 Notes

Chapter 4

Developing an Indian Policy

George Washington's Indian Policy

Early Military Civic Action

The Cherokee-Scottish Connection

Enter Sam Houston

Pastor Gideon Blackburn

Heir of the Great Awakening

Blackburn and the African American Gloucester

Chapter 4 Notes

Chapter 5

Cherokee Trail of Tears: Manifest Destiny Betrayed

Revolt of the Young Chiefs

Treaty of July 8, 1817

Sam Houston & Cherokee Exodus of 1817–19

The Issue of Cherokee Life Estates

American Unity Weighed in the Balance

Foreign Mission School in Connecticut

Sequoyah Unveils His Syllabary

Entrance of Samuel Worcester

Georgia Compact of 1802 and Repercussions

The Critical Issue of Gold

Indian Removal Act of 1830

Count Down to Worcester v. Georgia

Treaty of New Echota 1835

The Trail of Tears

Chapter 5 Notes

Chapter 6

Cherokee Factions Join: The Oklahoma-Texas Connection

Dwight Mission

Sam Houston Comes to Oklahoma-Arkansas Territory

Houston vs. Stanberry

Houston Goes to Texas

Chief Bowles and the Texas Cherokee

Enter Richard Fields

Cherokee Chose Neutrality in Texas-Mexico Clash

Lamar and the Cherokee War

Chapter 6 Notes

Chapter 7

The Texas Republic: Manifest Destiny Reborn

La Salle's Impact on the American Westward Movement

The First Republic of Texas

Impact of James Monroe's Adam-Onis Treaty: Second Texas Republic

Jane Long: Mother of Texas

Moses Austin Sets His Sights to Texas

Enter Stephen F. Austin

Texas Fights for Independence

Chapter 7 Notes

Chapter 8

Paradox of Continentalization: Manifest Destiny and Race

Divided expectations over US goals in the War with Mexico, 1846–48

Postwar, the Dilemma Became Enhanced

Wilmot Proviso

Compromise of 1850

Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854

Post–Civil War Reminiscences of Manifest Destiny

Remembering George Washington

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Transcontinental Railroad

The Classic Painting American Progress Depicts Manifest Destiny

Chapter 8 Notes

Chapter 9

Manifest Destiny: Same Song, Different Tune

Ingredients of the Evolutionary Perspective

Social Repercussions of Laissez-Faire Economics

Decline of the Principled Approach to Manifest Destiny

New Interpretation of the Frontier Thesis

Into the Age of Imperialism

Impact of the New Era on the African American

Christian Roots of Manifest Destiny Under Attack

Impact of the Scopes Trial

Social Darwinism and the Race Debate

Chapter 9 Notes

Chapter 10

Eugenics

1914 Eugenic Conference

The New Negro Phenomenon

Impact of the Sports Scene

Women's Liberation

Twist on Eugenics of African American Intellectuals W. E. B. Du Bois and Kelly Miller

Focus on Kelly Miller

Franklin Frazier

Chapter 10 Notes

Chapter 11

Manifest Destiny Goes International

Evolutionary Thinking Delegitimizes Principles Behind US Checks and Balances

Two Fundamental Impacts of Evolution on the Definition of Manifest Destiny

The New Evolutionary Perspective on Less Evolved and Unfit

Enter Wilson's League of Nations

Impact of John Kennedy Presidency

Wars of Liberation

The Manifest Destiny Complex of Three Strategic Decisional Factors

US Military Civic Action and Counterinsurgency

Kennedy's Civic Action Policy Subsumed under Darwinian Power Politics

Chapter 11 Notes

Revitalizing America

Chapter 12

Pluralism: Cold War Context for the New World Order

Rise of Pluralism

Assessment of Pluralism in the Context of Original Manifest Destiny

Chapter 12 Notes

Chapter 13

The UN VAB Agenda and the New World Order: Transformation of Values, Attitudes, and Behavior

Introduction

Declaration of Interdependence

Assessment

Presidents Bush, Gorbachev, and Clinton

Excerpts from Toward a New World Order

Bush's Address to the United Nations on October 10, 1990

President Bill Clinton Follows Suit

Bush's friend, Vaclav Havel, Interjects the Cosmic Factor

Excerpts from Vaclav Havel's Speech

Chiliasm

Multiculturalism, First Pragmatic Factor

Multiculturalism and the Rise and Decline of the Nation-State System

Impact of the Transnational Paradigm

Culture and Values, a Comparative Analysis

Collective Subjectivism: Standard Mode in the Emerging International Context

UNESCO

Chapter 13 Notes

Chapter 14

Radical Ecology and Interreligious Dialogue

Radical Ecology

Trilateral Commission

Interreligious Dialogue

United Religions: Guardians of the New Manifest Destiny

Implementing Collective Security: The United Religions Factor

The Future Scenario for World Conflict Resolution

Chapter 14 Notes

Chapter 15

The Fourth Pragmatic Factor: Education for Global Citizenship

Global Education for the Citizens of World Civic Culture

Campbell Scheme:

Robert Muller à la the Campbell Scheme:

Holistically Integrated Human Resource Communities

Essence of America Goals 2000

The VAB Agenda

1. Acceptance of a Fear Culture

2. Acceptance That Mankind Is One

3. Acceptance that the Purpose of Education is for Health and Happiness

Examples of the Religion of Humanity's Healthy Curriculum:

Chapter 15 Notes

Chapter 16

Assessment: Pluralism vs. Manifest Destiny

Twin Paradoxes: Robert Putnam Studies of Pluralism and Christianity

Implications of the Putnam Study

Nature of the Critique

Address to Critics of the Christian Era of Manifest Destiny

Revolutionary Era

Implications of the Louisiana Purchase

Rise of Darwinism in America: Impact on Manifest Destiny

Spencer's Social Darwinism: Ancestor to Pluralism

Chapter 16 Notes

Chapter 17

At Issue: The True Nature of Human Nature

Conservative Principle-Based Framework

Progressive Framework

BLM vs. Christianity: the US's Fundamental Challenge

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Strategy

Rise of Pluralist-Conditioned Spiritualism and Participatory Democracy

New Age Movement: Link to the Peace Movement

Rise of Christian-Based Neo-Orthodoxy

Rise of the Social Gospel

Process-Based Theology

Traits of the Global Ethic from the UN-Based Center for Global Ethics

Pluralist-Focused Mind-Guards of the New World Order

Training of Citizens for the Coming World Civic Culture

Chapter 17 Notes

Chapter 18

Manifest Destiny: Revitalizing America

Link to Manifest Destiny

Toward a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Further scriptural references

Community of Principle and the Russian-Ukrainian Crisis

Rekindling Manifest Destiny: Revitalizing America and the World

1. Charter

2. Club Option

3. Concert Option

4. Coalition Option

Assessment

Sparking a Fifth C Option: A Community of Principle

Chapter 18 Notes

Epilogue: The Spirit of Manifest Destiny and the Parker Family: The Legacy of Comanche Chief, Quanah Parker

The Spirit of Manifest Destiny and the Parker Family: The Legacy of Comanche Chief, Quanah Parker

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Preamble

At the time this book is being written, the United States is amidst a great division in our people. We are in an era when traditional Christian-based values and principles are under attack from multiple directions. In many quarters, objectivity, reason itself, has been deconstructed and declared racist.

Furthermore, these divisions are under play amidst a global crisis sparked under the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an event expanding the crisis of division to the world level. Whatever the foreseeable outcome of that conflict, the divisions are projected to remain, sparking the need for a fundamental reassessment of national and world order dynamics.

Thus, in play is an opportunity to address a viable and expanded role for a revitalized sense of United States–inspired Manifest Destiny, restored to its original principles and purpose. Those principles, now under vicious attack, found birth in explicit form in 1630 in Massachusetts Bay Colony with the declaration that America was unique in world history—without a past, only a future.

That future, so declared the Puritans, rested on the principles and reasoning of the Bible. As will be shown, these principles found play anew over several strains of our history, beginning with the two early Great Awakenings, through our War of Independence, Declaration of Independence, and Constitution. From there, the hero of our independence, George Washington, featured these principles as the military leader of our fight for freedom and our country's first president.

Then that same George Washington became the shining light, the memory of whom found play anew in the search to bring unity after the United States Civil War. Reviving the aura of Washington set the stage for manifesting the light of Christ as our guide. From that point, however, the path of Jesus Christ as the purveyor of light began to falter as the earth-based system of evolution began to unfold, bringing questioning of our biblical origins.

In the process, our destiny, as made manifest through the light of Christ, comes to share time with the theory of evolution, even to the point of social Darwinism giving rise to eugenics, the science that proclaims explicitly that some races are destined to rule over others. The context of Manifest Destiny, accordingly, came to incorporate precepts of that elitist theme. The theme became linked first to the League of Nations; next, to the United Nations; and on to the emerging New World Order.

Thus, the theme of this book is to rediscover the building blocks of Manifest Destiny, and to address the conflicts and victories along its path and the reasons behind them. Sought is restoration to the true and original basis for the term as an avenue toward using it anew to stir men's souls through the adventure of revitalizing our nation in terms of the reasoning of our founders.

The work entails two basic units: the first defines the original principles of Manifest Destiny, then depicts the process which, while keeping the name, changed the context for thought and hence the historical interpretation of the concept of Manifest Destiny. The second unit picks up as the US fashions post World War II policies in light of the emerging New World Order, an order that ironically came officially into play as a critical adjunct of the US bicentennial celebrations. Upon addressing these themes, the last chapter seeks to drive home the need and practical basis for reviving the true context of Manifest Destiny.

Accordingly, our book will follow the order of its title, Rekindling Manifest Destiny: Revitalizing America. The first unit is entitled Rekindling Manifest Destiny to signify the revising of its history and reinterpretations along the way.

Unit 2 will take the subtitle of Revitalizing America as we move to a deeper analysis of problems accompanying the New World Order and how the thinking behind the true principles of Manifest Destiny could help address those problems.

Following this is a short epilogue marking the link to Manifest Destiny of the greatest Comanche chief, Quanah Parker.

A Special Acknowledgement

This is to express my deepest appreciation to my daughter, and coauthor of several of my previous books, Joy Renee Montgomery (MA) who is working currently toward a PhD with Liberty University. Joy enhanced perceptively the framework and format of the book, from the table of contents, through the index and bibliography. Thank you, Joy.

Unit 1

Rekindling Manifest Destiny

This opening unit begins with two chapters addressing the original principles of Manifest Destiny, then proceeds to chapters addressing the challenges and changes in nuance of the policy up to and through the Darwinian Revolution and the League of Nations.

Chapter 1

Principles

O'Sullivan Births Manifest Destiny: Expression of Divine Principle

Writing in the United States Magazine and Democratic Review in 1845, John O'Sullivan remarked on Texas becoming a State of the Union as follows: "This is the fulfillment of our Manifest Destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions… The Independence of Texas was complete and absolute… Away then with all the idle talk of the balance of power on the American Continent, for California will probably next fall away." Thus, he surmised, making America complete from coast to coast.¹

Earlier, in 1839, the same O'Sullivan had written an article in the United States Democratic Review filled with references to divine principle. The United States. he claimed, is "destined to manifest to mankind the excellence of divine principles, to establish on earth the noblest temple ever dedicated to the worship of the most High."

In another section of the same article, he states that America found birth based upon the "great principle of human equality. He then adds that the principle upon which a nation is organized fixes its destiny, and that of equality is perfect, is universal, presiding in all the operation of the physical world. Expounding further on the same theme, he inserts, The expansive future is our arena… We are entering on its untrodden space, with the truths of God in our minds. We are the nation of human progress, and who will, what can, set limits to our onward march?"²

Texans Agree: Intelligence and Virtue

In reference to the then new state of Texas, it is apparent that that state's key leaders would have endorsed O'Sullivan's entreaties. As a case in point, following Thomas Jefferson's lead, Stephen F. Austin (whom Sam Houston named the Father of Texas), Mirabeau Lamar (the Father of Texas Education), and Sam Houston himself were all one in declaring that American citizens need be characterized by intelligence braced by Christian-based virtue. Let's explore that thesis.

Here's Jefferson: If wise be the happy man…he must be virtuous too, for, without virtue, happiness cannot be. This then is the true scope of all academic emulation. Then, Stephen Austin: A nation can only be free, happy and great in proportion to the virtue and intelligence of its people. Now hear Mirabeau Lamar, a president of the Texas Republic and known as the Father of Texas Education: A cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy, and when guided and controlled by virtue is the noblest attribute of man. Finally, here's Sam Houston: The necessity of all law grows out of the wants and interests of society, and when these are relieved and defended, we may always rely with much confidence in the virtue and intelligence of the people.³

Winthrop Marks the Principal of Individualism and Equality

Texas a state. In this sense, Manifest Destiny was a perfect label to describe the rise and incorporation of Texas as a state of the United States. In invoking principles of Holy Scripture, John O'Sullivan was linking Manifest Destiny to the original precepts John Winthrop addressed to his followers as the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630.

Thinking in terms of the challenges ahead, Winthrop chose to address his followers even as they approached land while on their ship, Arbella. His sermon at that time is usually referenced by its theme of a city on a hill. This appellation lay in anticipation that his colony would mark the pathway to a new nation, different from all which preceded it. Indeed, he foresaw America as a shining light to the world. We will dwell deeper into the scriptural framework behind this point upon an assessment of his view of the proper components of such a city.

Similar to the reasoning of John O'Sullivan, John Winthrop centered his reasoning around the principle of individualism and equality. For Winthrop, the Bible stressed that each individual, no matter their station, was equal to all others in the eyes of God. Noting the biblical concept of gifts, he reasoned, as in 1 Corinthians 12, that each body part was significant to the whole. For example, the foot was rendered inert without the toes, as was the leg without the foot, and so on. Each part, retaining its individuality, makes the body viable. As we shall elaborate on later, this is diametrically opposed to much of current thinking, where the individual is significant only in terms of the group, with the ever-changing group mores determining the significance of the individual.⁴

Making and Challenges of a Peacemaker

This brings us to the significance of the term city on a hill. This is drawn from Jesus's discourse termed the Sermon on the Mount. Taking our guide from Matthew chapters 5 through 7, let's approach that point beginning with the sequence of behaviors that lead to a convert becoming a peacemaker in the biblical sense.

As an introduction to this sequence, let's note three key scriptures that succinctly set the framework for biblical reasoning. The first of these is Proverbs 1:3: To receive instruction in wisdom, justice [righteousness], judgment and equity. The next is Galatians 5:5: For we, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness through faith. Finally, Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the holy is understanding.

All these verses are incorporated at the beginning of Jesus's address in the Sermon on the Mount, where he walks us through the spiritual deliberation process appropriate to becoming a peacemaker for Christ.

We begin now with the progression Jesus prescribed in Matthew 5:3–9, starting with verses 3–5: Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Here recall Galatians 5:5: For we, through the spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness through faith. In the biblical context, being by nature with proneness to evil, rather than base our decisions on our own personal judgment, we need first, with humility, to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Now let's list address Matthew 5:6–8: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Filled with the Spirit, we now are ready, through the help of the Spirit, to comprehend God's standard of righteousness or justice. As that standard fills our heart, we are in a position to embrace mercy in our judgments and a sense of equity or fairness.

Finally, see verse 9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. It is as peacemakers, in the biblical sense, that both John Winthrop and John O'Sullivan placed their hope for America, which O'Sullivan defined as our Manifest Destiny. By the same token, we take note of Winthrop's call to key in our everyday life on Micah 6:8: He (the Lord) hath shown thee, o man, what is good, and what doeth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.

Now let's review Jesus's words in Matthew 5:10–13, which frame the fundamental reference in John Winthrop's guidance for his people and the America of Manifest Destiny. These verses give vent to the view that born-again Christians are not really at home on this earth but will constantly suffer attacks for accepting the grace of God in search of salvation from the natural condition of man.

Here verses 10–13: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you, persecute you, and falsely say all evil against you, for my sake. Then in verse 10, Jesus gives us a challenge and pep talk: Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the foot of men. It is from here that finally, we come to the famous light analogy of John Winthrop in his 1630 address.

The City on a Hill

Jesus states in verse 14 of Matthew 5: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. He then elaborates on the point in verses 15 and 16: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and