Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 to September 22, 1776) was an American Patriot, a soldier and spy. He was a member of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
We look today at a person whose inspection brings with it different benchmarks to their contribution to doing good and making life better. Nathan Hale was a soldier, he fought to make life better through trying to remove what was felt to be bad influences. One aspect of considering this as part of a good character is one’s point of view, in this case as American Patriot. He could have had an opposing view, like the British one.
Another aspect is that it is not solely a good intention, but is one that has destructive parts to it, like the arguing of opposing views, the removal of someone who doesn’t agree, the expulsion of the other side, and may include killing and death of those against one’s principles, or the death of the person himself. As Clausewitz said, war is merely the continuation of policy by other means. Sometimes, many times in fact, a difference of opinion may make for extreme and painful ways of change.
So, like most challenges in life, nothing is easy or simple. A viewpoint is not universally accepted, like what is good for humanity. Sometimes change for the better may include destructive forces. A change may also have much uncertainty, and with it risk of failure (or not being what you thought). And as in all examples that include people, the person himself or herself is a complex body that has both good and bad qualities. For me, a mission of these articles is to provide a resource of qualities, Profiles in Character, that can help a person, like you or me, do good for humanity; a toolkit to choose what fits you and the situation to make life better for us all.
Nathan Hale was believed to behave in great composure and resolution. He felt that discipline and obeying orders was the correct way to carry out duties. He felt that a person, especially in a military perspective, should always be prepared to meet death in whatever shape or form it appeared. He died by hanging while performing is duties.
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
It is sometimes ironic that a person who has a shortened life, one that meets a tragedy early on, may be remembered much longer or more clearly that one who had a long life but may not have had a significant contribution that took his life .
Documents and letters have been used to understand Nathan Hale. He is felt to have been an informed and practical man, one who planned ahead and was concerned with details. A fellow soldier, Lieutenant Elisha Bostwick, wrote that Nathan Hale was slightly taller than average in height, had blue eyes, fair skin, and flaxen blond hair that was kept short, and darker eyebrows. He was of moderate breadth, had straight limbs and was very plump, but also had an agile body. His voice was sharp and piercing when he spoke. He had a sedate mind and sober bearing. He always visited the soldiers of his company who were sick.
In reverence to his mortal contribution in the cause for freedom, he has been remembered as an idealized archetype through many statues commemorating him. He has been remembered through song:"Ballad of Nathan Hale."
Offered here is Nathan Hale as a Profile in Character.
Statue by Bela Pratt
Episode 17 4/27/2024