"A Man Without a Country" was a classic novel written by Edward Everett Hale, who was born APRIL 3, 1822.
It was loosely based around Aaron Burr, who had been Vice-President under Thomas Jefferson.
Burr turned the social club Tammany Hall into th  e
infamous New York political machine, and founded the Bank of the
Manhattan Company, which was later absorbed into the Chase Manhattan
Bank.
Burr killed Alexander
Hamilton in a duel, and then was indicted on charges of conspiracy and
treason for attempting to take control over some of the Louisiana
Territory and Mexico.
Burr fled the United States and lived in Europe for several years.
In the novel, A Man Without a Country,
1863, Edward Everett Hale created a fictitious character named Philip
Nolan, who supposedly met Aaron Burr and joined in the conspiracy.
When arrested and convicted of treason, Philip Nolan exclaimed:
"D--n the United States! I wish I may never hear of the United States again!"
The judge ordered
Philip Nolan's wish fulfilled, that for the rest of his life he would
sail the world's seas on Navy ships and never set foot or hear the name
of his former country again.
Sailors were forbidden to discuss or even mention the United States to Philip Nolan.
Toward the end of the novel, A Man Without a Country, Edward Everett Hale wrote that a visitor met Philip Nolan:
"But he could not stand it long...he beckoned me down into our boat...he said to me:
'Youngster, let that show you what it is to be without a family, without a home, and without a country.
And if you are ever
tempted to say a word or to do a thing that shall put a bar between you
and your family, your home, and your country, pray God in his mercy to
take you that instant home to his own heaven.
Stick by your family,
boy...and for your country, boy,' and the words rattled in his throat,
'and for that flag,' and he pointed to the ship, 'never dream a dream
but of serving her as she bids you, though the service carry you
through a thousand hells.
No matter what happens
to you, no matter who flatters you or who abuses you, never look at
another flag, never let a night pass but you pray God to bless that
flag.
Remember, boy...the
Country Herself, your Country, and that you belong to Her as you belong
to your own mother. Stand by Her, boy, as you would stand by your
mother, if those devils there had got hold of her to-day!'"
Edward Everett Hale was
the grandnephew of Revolutionary hero Nathan Hale. He entered Harvard
at age 13 and later taught at the Boston Latin School.
Edward Everett Hale
published over 50 books, opposed slavery and was pastor of Boston's
South Congregational Church for 45 years.
In 1903, he became Chaplain of the United States Senate.
Edward Everett Hale wrote:
"I am only one, but I
am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I
should do and, with the help of God, I will do."
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