The Blessed Relationship of Oscar and Francis Lieber

The journal chosen is entitled “Oscar Lieber: Southern Scientist, Southern Patriot.” James O’Breeden depicts a collapsed relationship between father and son. Much of the focus in the first parts of the journal are dedicated to Francis Lieber, whom had a deep resentment for tyranny, and had given many years of his life to fighting tyranny. He was one of the century’s best known educators and political philosophers. Breeden describes that Frances Lieber and his wife “viewed children as a heavenly blessing” in which God entrusted on them to make great men (or women). This value Frances held is unarguably the sole reason for the strict educational discipline he placed on his son, Oscar. It was also undoubtedly this education that molded Oscar into the southern scientist, and southern patriot that he became. 

Oscar’s career would include educational exile in Germany. It is presumed that his stay in Germany determined an outlook on tyranny that would prove to be different from his fathers regarding the conflict in the U.S involving slavery. It is my understanding that Francis held a resentment to the enslavement of another human being, while Oscar felt the North was infringing on Southerners property rights.

 Though there has been no solid evidence found, it is assumed that Oscar attended school in South Carolina (i.e. conforming him to the Southern way of life) where he would accompany Michael Tuomey on some of his scientific studies. This intrigue of science of course spanned from early teachings of his father, but this father and son relationship would be strained by their opposing views of slavery, and primarily their differing interpretations of tyranny.

Breeden notes a few reason why Oscar may have had commitment to the south. One, as just mentioned was the simple fact that he grew up in the south studying science. The lifestyle would become something not all too outrageous having been around it for so long; and Oscar living among the economic benefit of slavery would have certainly viewed the institution in the same manner a southern plantation owner would. Furthermore than that, we are aware that the South attempted to justify their way of life by using scientific studies to show white dominance over blacks. Given Oscar was at a southern school, and also in a state most dependent on slavery; he was probably confronted by these studies.

The second reason given by Breeden as to why Oscars felt committed to the South was that he had personal experience with opposition to tyranny in Germany. It is certainly understandable that his Southern ideology (albeit morally corrupt) felt threatened by a supposed tyrannical regime (The North). This is a common view southern folks held. The third point Breeden makes is the most intriguing to me. He says that Oscar may have some sort of resentment against the “longstanding domination of his father.”  Francis, who had called his commitment to educating his son a blessing from God; seemingly pushed his son away by being regrettable of his educational limitations. I must not be the only one to find this ironic because it begs the question. did Francis fail as a father, as an instructor, or both? Was his parental outlook on life ironically the one thing that pulled father and son apart?

Even more ironic in this relations ship is the differing views of tyranny both hold. A question I ponder is; had Francis became a tyrannical Father despite his resentment to tyranny? This can absolutely be attributed to Oscar’s resentment toward his father. It is this relationship that becomes the forefront of Breeden’s  journal. Upon first glance at the title, I expected to read of scientific studies of blacks (as have been mentioned in class), but instead I came away with a collapse of a once blessed relationship that had fallen apart among times when brother was killing brother. It appears no relationship was exempt from the woes brought about by slavery. 

I’m not sure that the relationship Breeden describes in his article could have ever been rekindled. It was much more than one ideology v. another. It was brutally personal. Oscar seemed to have a deep resentment for Francis, and Francis was disgusted by the fact that his son was “marching under the flag of shame”.  Even his younger brothers would be become the enemy when enlisting in the Union army. I find the title deceived me a bit; but managed to tell me a yet another forgotten story from the Civil War that is well deserving of national awareness.

Note: The photo for this posting is from Wikipedia, and is of Francis Lieber. All other sources I found about this relationship seems to put it on the back burner. This makes me even more intrigued with this story. Personal stories makes things a bit more exciting in my opinion. This journal topic is certainly no exception.

Breeden, James. “Oscar Lieber: Southern Scientist, Southern Patriot.” Civil War History 36, no. 3 (1990): 226-249. Accessed April 12, 2013. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/civil_war_history/