CONFLICTING LOYALTIES
An interviewer once asked the late Senator Sam Ervin, Jr. how he had developed such insight into human behavior. "I had a good teacher, Henry Horace Williams," replied Ervin. "He said the things that try people's souls do not consist of choosing between good and evil. The thing that tries a person's soul is having to choose between conflicting loyalties." Ervin went on to say that understanding that concept had not only helped him make better decisions, but to judge other people more fairly as well. Sometimes unwise choices were simply the result of misplaced loyalty. "A lot of times I just couldn't support measures advocated by Democratic presidents," he said. "I felt that my controlling interest was for my country, and I voted for what I thought was best for my country." That sentiment is reflected in a poem written by Josiah Gilbert Holland back in the 1800's. Entitled "God, Give Us Men," it was dusted off and "updated" 1993 by Fr. Brian Cavanaugh of St. Francis College in Loretto, PA (by changing "men" to "leaders"). Then, as the new administration took office, Fr. Cavanaugh sent them copies: "God give us leaders! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands;
Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill;
Leaders whom the spoils of office cannot buy;
Leaders who possess opinions and a will;
Leaders who have honor; Leaders who will not lie;
Leaders who can stand before a demagogue
And damn the treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall leaders, sun crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and private thinking.
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land, and waiting justice sleeps." Strong words...idealistic...and powerful if heeded . But not just for our elected officials, for ALL of us! Because our leaders tend to reflect, and pursue, the kind of loyalties that voters and opinion polls tell them we think are important. What we value, and exemplify, and tolerate, does much to set the course for our communities. It's one thing to say we want strong families, better schools, safer neighborhoods, and more caring communities. But those things don't just happen because of legislation or new programs. They happen because someone cares enough to become the kind of leader Holland so clearly described.
Each of us will have some opportunity, some small part, today in setting the tone and the agenda which will invariably affect the quality of our life -- both shared and individual. What values will guide us? Where will we place our highest loyalty? The prophet Jeremiah assured his people, "For I know the thoughts I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace... to give you a future and a hope. And you will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29: 11-13) Jesus advised a similar focus: "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness," he said, "and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) May God guide our priorities, helping each of us to demonstrate the right kind of leadership. CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN
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