THESE are the times that try Wolverines’ souls. The summer supporter and the September fan will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their team; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Mediocrity, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as THE ROSE BOWL should not be highly rated. Tressel, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to WIN) but “to BEAT us in ALL SEASONS WHATSOEVER” and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to Yost.
The original work (http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/index.htm) is “The Crisis” written by Thomas Paine on December 23, 1776. Paine wrote “The Crisis” while bivouacked in Newark, New Jersey, serving in the American Revolutionary Army as General Nathan Greene’s aide-de-camp.
Comrades, the parallels between the circumstances surrounding General George Washington and his revolutionary army and the Comrade Rodriguez and our Revolution are numerous. By December of 1776 the cause of the American Revolution was in jeopardy. Following a symbolic victory at the Battle of Bunker Hill (parallel: Miami (NTM)) and a true victory in the Siege of Boston (Wisconsin and Minnesota), General Washington was soundly defeated in the Battle of New York (PSU, Illinois, OSU, ND, recruits decommitting). This defeat not only cost Washington the city of New York, a significant number of men and countless supplies, but more importantly, its cost him the support of his troops and the citizenry (much as is the case with our Comrades of weak constitution now). Soldiers, other commanders, and politicians were openly questioning Washington’s capabilities and leadership. Others, most notably General Charles Lee (parallels: Les Miles, Brady Hoke) were positioning themselves to replace the Commander-in-Chief. The Army under General Washington had established but one noticeable skill, the ability to retreat or redeploy rapidly and the string of defeats left the troops demoralized. With many enlistments due to expire, there was the very real fear that, in the absence of a victory, the army would melt away like winter snows in a spring thaw and the cause of independence would be lost.
Popularity: 1%
Loading ...
