THE GREAT MORATORIUM
An Open Letter to President Donald J. Trump
Mr. President,
Shalom.
I respectfully ask you to consider an extraordinary act of presidential leadership.
Withdraw Trump v. Barbara, not in surrender, but in strength.
Withdraw it temporarily so that America may first undertake a national period of constitutional education concerning the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Reconstruction Amendments, federal citizenship, and the unfinished questions inherited from the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Mr. President, this may be the greatest opportunity of your presidency.
Many presidents have won elections.
Many presidents have won legislative victories.
Few presidents have been offered the opportunity to help unite the nation around a deeper understanding of itself.
You have often expressed admiration for Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln preserved the Union through war. You now have an opportunity to strengthen the Union through education, reflection, and reconciliation.
The descendants of America’s former slaves have never been enemies of the Republic. Through war, labor, sacrifice, faith, and patriotism, they have repeatedly demonstrated loyalty to the nation despite enduring extraordinary hardship. They seek not conflict with America, but a fuller understanding of America’s constitutional story.
By voluntarily calling for a Great Moratorium and National Constitutional Education Campaign, you would demonstrate confidence rather than insecurity, patience rather than haste, and statesmanship rather than partisanship.
Many would be surprised.
Many would be inspired.
Many would remember.
As America enters its 250th Anniversary, you possess a unique opportunity to place your name not merely upon a building, a policy, or a political victory, but upon one of the greatest civic and educational undertakings in modern American history.
Some opportunities come only once.
This may be one of them.
For that reason, I respectfully ask you to consider whether history, the nation, and perhaps even Providence itself are offering you an opportunity to carry forward part of the unfinished work begun by Lincoln and the Reconstruction generation.
The accompanying memorandum explains this appeal in greater detail.
With respect,
Ted Hayes
“Mr. Patriot”
Guardian of the Union
Keeper of the Republic
Justiceville / EXODUS II Initiative
Shalom and Peace.