Where’s that magnifying glass?
I love a good vacation. I also love going someplace new and different. Before I go on one of these vacations, I usually do a lot of research. Just like a detective, I hunt and search for things to do and different places where I can stay. I like to find those unique little oddball things to see and different types of places to eat.
Almost everybody loves a good mystery. In them someone usually tries to get away with something. Sometimes they do get away with it, but in most cases the truth comes out. But being part of the search is part of the thrill. It is within this realm that we will explore.
One of the features of a mystery is there has to be a question to answer. Second, real or imagined, there has to be someone who trespasses over that line we call right and wrong. Sometimes they don’t even deny they were on the wrong side and that only adds to the suspense. Sometimes they just leave us dangling, refusing to answer our questions.
Our investigation will begin with the issue stated in the second Article in the Constitution. Specifically the seven words that state: “No Person except a natural born Citizen….” This is one of only three qualifications listed to be eligible to become President of the United States. Let’s get right to the point: Was he or wasn’t he born in the United States?
First, let’s gather our facts so we can begin. We know his father was not born in the United States. We know his father was known to have come in and out of the United States regularly. We also know his father tried to convert others to his religion. Then there is the place they claim he was born. This place had an easy access to exit or enter the United States quickly. We aren’t even 100% positive that the actual stated birthday is accurate. Then comes the big one: Where is the birth certificate and even if he, all of a sudden, did produce one, would it be real?
In Biblical times the downtrodden and lame were always looked down upon. That was, unless they could be used to your advantage. He was such a man. He was blind. Much like today, everyone blamed his parents for his plight. After all, they must have done something wrong for this to happen. Right? It was a Sabbath day, probably pretty much like any other Sabbath day. People were probably filing in and out of church. As they sat in the pews they were probably wondering what was for lunch or who was going to win that afternoon’s football game. And there he sat once again in his lameness, just outside, hoping someone might contribute to his cause. Someone came and stood in front of him. The man stood there for a few moments. “That’s strange”, he probably thought, “I didn’t hear the sounds of any coins falling into my cup.”
When you are not famous, there isn’t a whole lot of attention that comes your way. But when you are President, it is a whole new ball game. So it was with his birth certificate. He was just a local hero, looking out for the local people before he became President. Now everywhere he turned everyone was asking: “Where is the birth certificate? Where is the proof?” He even refused to acknowledge there was an issue. Is not producing it an admission that he is hiding his true birthplace? Is ignoring the issue a sign of guilt?
As our blind man sat, the gentleman in front of him dabbed a little mud on his eyes. After he washed the mud off he was able to see. Blind since birth and now able to see, he was so excited. The man who applied the mud slipped out into the crowd.
Not everyone was excited about the blind man who now saw. The religious leaders were outraged. They called the former blind man in and questioned him like he was on trial. “How can a man who is a sinner do such things? How are you now able to see? Where is the man who did it (because he did it on the Sabbath day)?” they asked. They even quizzed his parents to make sure he was really blind. Then they demanded that he turn on the man who healed him and denounce that he really had anything to do with it. He turned to them and said, “All I know is that He stood in front of me. I was blind before he got there and I could see when he left.” End of the investigation.
So, how about you? Do you think our President was born in the United States or was he born outside the United States? We will probably never really know if Chester Arthur was born in Vermont or Canada. When Chester Arthur died, he willed that his son burn most of his personal papers. His son did as his father told him.
Jesus survived his “working on the Sabbath” trial. His critics wouldn’t let it go and one day they would catch up to him and give him the death sentence. What do you think? Was he the son of God?
Prayer: Father, often we get caught up in the little details. We forget the really important things. Please let my investigations lead to me knowing Your truths.
Additional Chester Arthur Facts:
Chester Arthur’s father, William, was born in Ireland. He migrated to Quebec, Canada. His first child, Regina (Chester’s sister) was born in Canada. Sometime after this, he moved to Vermont. He and his family moved several times, never staying long in one place. William became a Baptist minister, but the salary was such that he had to preach at several churches in Vermont and Canada to supplement the family income. When William had retired he had served eleven different parishes. Chester’s birth date is claimed (and is written in some family Bibles) to be October 5, 1829, but his tombstone states October 5, 1830. The state of Vermont did not begin receiving birth records until 1857, 27-28 years after Chester Arthur’s birth.
