As one who has studied the history of Thomas Corwin and the Mexican American War, I find "theowinthrop's" critique of the Profile in Courage to be misguided. He misses the point, and seems to be saying that if anti-war leaders such as Corwin, Thoreau, and Lincoln were able to persevere and succeed later in their careers, their earlier actions should be dismissed. Those exhibiting true courage should be judged by their actions in the moment; if someone risks their life to save me, I would not call them less courageous because they survived. Regardless, do you really think having millions of people abhor and deride you for your public views has no cost? Perhaps from the comfort of our keyboards, it seems more compelling to reserve the term "courage" for acts of physical danger. But, even then, "theowhinthorp's" argument is that falling on a grenade is not courageous unless you die from it or at least experience "actual suffering". Ridiculous! Men such as Thomas Corwin, Lincoln, and Thoreau spoke for morality at a time when there was little, and did so with an eloquence that puts to shame the current level of debate. For that, they deserve our praise. Who among us in the modern world will be remembered in this way? Turn off the television and go read some history. I will leave you with the words of Thomas Corwin:
"Rightly considered this is treason, treason to the union, treason to the dearest interests, the loftiest aspirations, and the most cherished hopes of our constituents. It is a crime to risk the possibility of such a contest. It is a crime of such infernal hue that every other in the catalogue of iniquity, when compared with it, whitens into virtue." "Sir, I have not patience with the absurd and hypocritical pretense of securing an honorable peace. An honorable peace! If you have accomplished the objects of the war if indeed you had an object which you dare to avow cease to fight and you will have peace. Conquer your insane love of false glory, and you will 'conquer a peace'..." "...let us wash Mexican blood from our hands, and on these altars, and in the presence of that image of the Father of his Country that looks down upon us, swear to preserve honorable peace with all the world, and eternal brotherhood with each other."