The Novel "Profiles of Courage"
The novel "Profiles of Courage" is made up of a number of brief volume biographies that describe various acts of daring and courage performed by various US senators. In theory, these lawmakers contributed significantly to the development of democracy and government in contemporary American society. They are admired for their frankness and bravery in taking chances to ensure that the country moved in the right direction, free from poverty and dishonesty, in addition to their commitment to enforcing proper leadership in the senate. For instance, most of the senators in the ancient American political sphere were weak and lacked enough competence to cause the meaningful change to the society, and to most people, their intentions and actions were not very good. “While I am reluctant to believe in the total depravity of the senate, I place but little dependence on the honesty and truthfulness of a significant portion of the senators. A majority of them are small lights, mentally weak, and wholly unfit to be senators” (Kennedy 1). Kennedy seeks to reveal that unlike the few brave senators, the rest were politically unfit to provide the leadership of courage and brevity.
Politicians Remembered for Their Choices
In practice, these politicians are remembered for their choices that reveal their courage towards influencing particular political and social agendas for the American people. Throughout the seven chapters, it is clear that the senators’ decisions, thoughts, and actions played important roles in determining various events that have occurred in the previous history of the United States. In this case, therefore, the seven senators as discussed in the seven chapters made significant choices, some of which are stimulating, interesting or not very good especially when made in a political arena. For instance, Senator John Quincy Adams believed in the power of purpose and courage in achieving success. “…fit for exact ethical discussion, clear in seeing general truths, active, fond of inquiry and debate, but penetrated and restrained by a shrewd common sense…” (Kennedy 35). Having joined the senate as a federalist of Massachusetts, Adams quickly parted ways with his party on the basis of his purposefulness in doing what is right and good for the people. Importantly, his influence was necessary for helping Thomas Jefferson in enacting an embargo that sought to block any form of international trading activities with Great Britain in retaliation to Britain’s aggression on American merchant vessels. By agreeing to support his course, Adams acted in direct opposition to the federalists who were friendlier to the British merchants.
Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar: A Courageous American Politician
As well, the text brings out Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar as a courageous American politician since he single-handedly stood for what was just and fair in the American society. His actions stimulate the current leader as he is seen as exercising patriotism and love for what is just. For instance, he eulogized Charles Sumner despite the fallen leader being a critic of slavery, which was against the prevailing opinion of the then congress and senators, (Kennedy 167-169). In essence, most Southerners hated Sumner for his hatred and opposition to slavery and his regular condemnation of the slaveholders. Therefore, in his eulogy, Lamar gave praises to Sumner because throughout his lifetime as a leader he had wished to unite the South and the North while defeating slavery in many states. In the light of this, Lamar is seen as a courageous politician because his eulogy to the Southerners showed his support for Sumner’s work.
Sam Houston: The Independent and Courageous Democrat senator
Besides, Sam Houston’s character is stimulating in the sense that he stands out as an independent, courageous and unique Democrat senator who refuses to offer his support for Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. Understandably, the Act sought to overturn the Missouri Compromise of the early 20th century and would give the slaveholders in various territories the rights to make decisions concerning the exercise of slavery within their territories. “Sam Houston looked upon the Missouri Compromise, which he had supported in 1820…nor was he willing to discard the compromise of 1850, which he had supported despite the enmity of Texas fire-eaters” (Kennedy 111).
Edmund Ross: The Senator Who Saved President Andrew Johnson
Moreover, Edmund Ross was a celebrated senator because he saved President Andrew Johnson from an impeachment motion by casting the deciding vote to break the tie in favor of the president. “In a lonely grave, forgotten and unknown, lies the man who saved a president, and who as a result may well have preserved for ourselves and posterity constitutional government in the United States” (Kennedy 139). Though Ross had never had sympathy for the president before, he took the bold step by exercising fairness and being just.
Thomas H. Benton's Political Stand and Courage
Also, Thomas H. Benton’s political stand and courage were both stimulating and exciting. Despite being a slave holder, most of his actions were opposed to the expansion of slavery into the new states. He was concerned with the way the Southerners and Northerners were exploiting slavery, and that their slave-use tendencies would limit expansion to the Western territories. However, he applied his brevity and courage to defeat Calhoun’s resolutions that sought to bar the Congress from allowing the expansion of slavery to new areas. “Benton broke sharply with his state and party by engineering the defeat of the treaty for the annexation of Texas” (Kennedy 91).
Daniel Webster: The Senator with Excellent Oratory Skills
Finally, Daniel Webster was one of the best senators with excellent oratory skills, which he used to assist Henry Clay to succeed in pushing through a compromise bill that kept the union together. Ideally, Webster presented the ‘Seven of March’ speech in support of the bill that sought to maintain the union together by not doing anything to end the practice of slavery. “Daniel Webster remained the greatest orator of his day, the leading member of the American Bar…and thus Henry Clay knew he must enlist these extraordinary talents on behalf of his Great Compromise” (Kennedy 70). Understandably, Daniel Webster’s action was not good since he supported a compromise bill that sought to give slaveholders property ownership rights while strengthening fugitive slave laws.
Conclusion
Fundamentally, the first seven chapters of the “Profiles in Courage” present biographies of great men that served in the American senate in the 19th and 20th centuries. The men are remembered for their acts of courage and brevity that took place at a time when the nation required significant progress in enhancing its democracy and politics. In essence, their characters, behaviors, reasoning abilities and independence of thought are perhaps valuable lessons to today’s learners seeking to understand how America achieved some of its major successes in various sectors including politics and the abolishment of slavery. As well, the six politicians are considered some of the best leaders that the American senate has ever had in its long history. Thus, the narration given throughout the book is an education tool to many people that would like to acquire information about the characteristics and behaviors of such leaders, and how these leaders applied their leadership skills to enhance governance and democracy in the United States.
Works Cited
Kennedy, Robert F, and Caroline Kennedy. Profiles In Courage. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 1957. Print.
