The Thinning (part 2)
A transcript of Andrew Jackson’s letter to French Ambassador Paul Lasteur, April 16th, 1833:
My Dear Mr. Lasteur:
I hope that my letter finds you and your countrymen well. In regards to your request for six (6) Northern outposts, I must vehemently decline. Our agreement stands at four (4) outposts, and there it shall remain.
You have stated that you expect two (2) of the aforementioned outposts to fail outright, thus the need for six (6). I cannot accept this argument, for how much different is this than the act of Gardening?
True, we are told, “Thin seedlings vigorously.” We are told, “Thin to 6” when plants are 3” tall.” We are taught to expect a certain loss from our sowing.
But I ask you to consider this: is “Thinning” a process of Liberty? I must impress upon you that Thinning, whether in plants or strategic placement of fortresses, is an unethical act, brought on by excess and greed.
“Plant six plants but PULL OUT two,” you believe??
This is an abomination unto the Lord. In Gardens and in Life, He hath brought these seeds to us not so that they shalt be wasted, but so that they may be used gracefully and correctly. Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seeds. He was a rich man, and he sowed plentifully, even more than was needed. When his plants were 3” tall, he plucked out the ones he did not need. Another farmer went out to sow his seeds. He was a poor man, and had saved his seeds from last year’s hot pepper crop. He took great care in his planting, spacing each seed as it would grow, patting down the soil and watering faithfully, each dawn and eve. When it was reaping time, the men both reaped their crops. Who do you think had more crop to sell at market that harvest? The disciples answered: We know not, Lord. He told them: The crops at market were equal in weight and price, but the crops in the Kingdom of Heaven were in favor of the poor man -- for the Lord God looks not for how much ye have gained, but for how little ye have wasted.”
Mr. Lasteur: Thinning is, simply, a Sinful waste of God’s glory. Do we raise eleven children until adolescence, only to strike down nine of them so that the two remaining children will have adequate resources to live a “fruitful” life?? Do we build tenements in rows, import families to inhabit them, only to knock down fully half in order to provide mansions for the lucky remainders?
It is an outrage that striving carrot Seedlings are plucked and left to shrivel in the noon sun, with no cause for their demise. Why should they have traveled at all?
Why should aspiring doctors or lawyers spasm their hearts with ethical solutions to human affairs, if they stand the uncertain chance of being half-heartedly dismissed?
Why should our Congressmen or Senators, for that matter, work to build a solid fruit that is this Union, see it grow and ripen into a bold pepper of Democracy, if they knew that at some point in their earnest workings, two thirds of them would be strewn into the streets like common beggars, to die ungracefully with their undershorts exposed?
No, I say let each Seed be as a full fruiting plant. Let us sow our promises as though we mean to keep each one, not throw them out by the dozens. If a Seed proves sterile, let us plant one in its place, and let us discover and remedy the cause of its sterility. For I will not make America into a land of shriveled promises and hollow Seedlings cast aside in the daily work of survival.
Mr. Lasteur – we were all Seedlings once, 3” tall, reaching for the sun. We are hear by God’s grace. And we thank Him that He is not as wasteful a gardener as we.
I remain,,
Andrew Jackson, President of the United States