Remember Sailor Billy Summers

It was years ago that a Republican friend introduced me to “Sailor Billy Summers” in the story relayed by  Lucius Quintus Cinncinatus Lamar as told in JFK’s book, Profiles in Courage.

Lamar was a Senator from the state of Mississippi in postwar Civil War. After casting a very unpopular vote, he held rallies across his district where he worked to persuade his constituents to let him keep his seat.  His vote, although many then and now would question the position he took, was for the good of the country, he said. Here is a very brief version of the “courage” story Lamar insisted to be the truth….

During the Confederate War the Captain of a blockade runner, when leaving the dock in Savannah Harbor, sent his trusted boatsman Sailor Billy Summers to the topmast to look for enemy ships. The boatsman Summers yelled out that he saw ten ships far away.

Did I mention the ship was loaded with military and civilian officials?  Well, after consulting with each other, these men said they knew where the Yankee fleet was and it was not in the Harbor. But the Captain, who said he knew the officials know more about military affairs, said he trusted his boatsman. He was high up, had a powerful glass and could see far in the distance.

As the story goes, the officials were saved because that Captain trusted the one person who could see the big picture, far off in the distance. Lamar relayed that as a US Senator he was better to judge what is in the best interests of his constituents. As I said, many disagreed with his vote and would today, but his constituents admired his courage and conviction.

John Krull in his September 14th article about courage in politicians speaks to what he says is a lack of courage in some Hoosier politicians, one senator from southwestern Indiana, in particular. I won’t comment on Krull’s strong statements about this senator, only to say Krull is very critical that this senator would not participate in the Courier and Press’ public debate. The reason: Krull reports the newspaper had published letters that had “hurt his [the senator’s] feelings”.

What I will comment is that I am overjoyed at the courage of this senator’s very talented opponent.

Edie Hardcastle, the Democrat, has shown she is committed, determined and smart. She will drive the majority party in the State Senate to justify every vote.  And, I believe she will always have Sailor Billy Summers’ “powerful glass” in mind. What is good for her constituents and good for the State will be what Edie Hardcastle will honor. And, when her vote is unpopular, she will not shy away from explaining her position and hold rallies around her district, Lamar style.