De Crevecouer's vision of America continued:

“Here individuals of all races are melted into a new race of man, whose labors and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world.” Here De C is suggesting that anyone can achieve despite class or background that may have oppressed them in Europe, (The American Dream)and that America(ns) will change the world- the land and its inhabitants are exceptional.

The website I have found to compare this to is that of an American radio host, who calls for a reform of the country. Robert Hender believes that the government has corrupted America and that the country must start over and serve God, for it is a ‘Promised Land’. (http://www.morningliberty.com/2010/08/04/r-a-p-america-is-a-promised-land/) RAP stands for Restore America Plan. Parallel to De Crevecouer’s idea that America will change the world, Hender argues: “If America falls, the whole world will fall.”

Both suggest that America is exceptional in that it has the power to be the leader of the free world, or make ‘great change’.

De Crevecouer: “I WISH for a change of place; the hour is come at last”
Hender: “This [current state of America] reminds me of a house that has a foundation that is falling apart. It takes an expert to lift the house and then carefully remove the debris of rot and rubble before replacing the old foundation with a stronger, new foundation. After this careful surgery on the underpinnings of the house have been completed then the house may be put back, upon a New Footings.”


Both De Crevecouer and Hender are calling for a ‘fresh start’. The previous discussed idea of a promise given then broken. Rather than both suggesting America is an entirely fresh start, both are suggesting it has been tarnished, and must now be transformed and become ‘new’ again, the last chance for mankind has to start over. Hender comparing the new beginning to restoring a house, De Crevecouer comparing life to the Native American way of life, emphasizing it as ‘better’: “they have land in plenty, of which they are not so covetous as the whites” (covetous def: inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy. 2. eagerly desirous)


De Crevecouer writes in urge of a more simplistic and pure life, by living in a less greedy and materialistic way: “The Indians… [have] the most perfect freedom, the ease of living, the absence of those cares and corroding solicitudes which so often prevail with us; the peculiar goodness of the soil they cultivated.” In a similar way, Hender is rallying for a ‘purer’ life by salvation from God and worship to God: “I have felt that God is calling forth to America… God's Judgements now Stand Before us! Pray for America, Now! Pray for our courage, Now! Pray for our future, Now! There is a lot of work to do, placing Liberty back in America. ”


Both Hender and De Crevecouer’s writing shares a common view that the Native American way of life is better than the current. Hender also refers to his own history, further re-enforcing the idea that America must start over: “My family came to America on the Mayflower, 3 of my family members were on that ship…They came for liberty and they took the hand of their American Indian Brothers and they were friends for many years… he is a Cherokee Indian, he will do what is best for his country.”

The most significant view Hender expresses is that that America is sacred and special, given to the people by God: “America is a Land of Promise. America is a Land with a Promise from the Creator. In America when we honor God and serve one another America is a Land of Liberty.” Here De Crevecouer’s original vision of America as exceptional continues. Henders idea of America as a ‘land of promise’ and uniquely advantaged is seen in De Crevecouer’s vision: “thank God that my lot is to be an American farmer, instead of a Russian boor, or an Hungarian peasant. I thank you kindly for the idea” Here De Crevecouer is suggesting that he would rather be a poor American, than ‘poor’ anything else, that just to live and be a Farmer in such a ‘promised’ country makes his life better than if living in such conditions elsewhere.