February 11 - What Happened When a Governor Drew a Salamander
Trusting God's Wisdom Over Human Schemes
This is the day Governor Elbridge Gerry signed legislation redrawing Massachusetts state senate districts into partisan shapes in 1812, leading to the creation of the term "gerrymander."
In today's lesson, we will explore how a governor's clever political maneuver backfired, leading to an unexpected legacy. What happens when we trust our own wisdom over God's guidance? How do our attempts to control outcomes reveal our need for divine direction?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
This Date in History
A political cartoonist for the Boston Gazette studied the oddly shaped Essex County district map with growing fascination. The bizarre boundaries twisted and curved unnaturally across the Massachusetts landscape. As he sketched the district's outline, an unmistakable shape emerged: a salamander-like creature with claws, wings, and a dragon-like head.
The new redistricting plan, signed into law by Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry on February 11, 1812, had redrawn the state senate districts to favor his Democratic-Republican Party over the Federalists. The Essex County district particularly stood out for its contorted shape that connected Democratic-Republican towns while excluding Federalist strongholds. When the Gazette published the cartoon depicting the district as a salamander, editor Benjamin Russell reportedly exclaimed, "Salamander? Call it a Gerrymander!"
Elbridge Gerry's path to this controversial moment began in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where he was born into a merchant family in 1744. A Harvard graduate, Gerry initially followed his father's footsteps in the family shipping business before becoming increasingly involved in colonial politics. His close friendship with Samuel Adams and John Adams drew him deeper into the revolutionary cause. By 1776, at age 32, Gerry was serving in the Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence and later helped shape the Articles of Confederation.
During the Constitutional Convention, Gerry had actually spoken out against political manipulation and excessive partisan power. However, by 1812, the political climate had changed dramatically. The bitter rivalry between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans had intensified, and Gerry, now aligned with the Democratic-Republicans, found himself pressured by his party to approve the redistricting plan. Despite his earlier principles, he signed the bill, possibly believing it necessary to maintain his party's power in an increasingly divided political landscape.
The term "gerrymander" quickly entered the political lexicon. The practice of manipulating district boundaries for partisan advantage was hardly new, but now it had a name that would endure for centuries. Despite the controversy, Gerry's political career survived. His close relationship with James Madison and his standing within the Democratic-Republican Party led to his nomination as Madison's running mate in 1812, months after the redistricting scandal.
Ironically, the partisan redistricting failed to achieve its intended goal. In the next election, the Federalists won control of the Massachusetts state senate despite the redrawn districts. Gerry lost his gubernatorial re-election bid that same year, but his selection as Vice President provided a new national platform.
Gerry's vice presidency was brief and marked by continued political tensions. His deep suspicion of the Federalists, whom he believed threatened the republic, drove him to maintain an exhausting schedule despite his advancing age. He died in office on November 23, 1814, after suffering from ill health exacerbated by his demanding duties. His name lives on not for his role in signing the Declaration of Independence, helping draft the Bill of Rights, or serving as Vice President, but for signing the redistricting bill that gave birth to a political term that remains relevant today.
Historical Context
The early 1800s marked a period of intense partisan rivalry in American politics, with the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party locked in bitter competition for control. The nation was experiencing growing pains as it tried to balance state and federal powers, while political parties sought to consolidate their influence through various means, including the manipulation of electoral districts.
Massachusetts stood as a battleground state during this period, with the Federalists maintaining strong support in urban areas and along the coast, while Democratic-Republicans found their base inland and among rural communities. This geographic division of political support made redistricting a powerful tool for gaining political advantage, leading both parties to attempt to maximize their electoral chances through careful drawing of district boundaries. The practice that would become known as gerrymandering emerged from this contentious political environment, where party loyalty often trumped principles of fair representation.
Did You Know?
The original "Gerrymander" cartoon was drawn by Elkanah Tisdale, an illustrator and miniature painter who worked for multiple newspapers in the Boston area.
Gerry initially refused to sign the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, citing concerns about potential abuse of federal power and the lack of a Bill of Rights.
The Essex County "salamander" district stretched nearly 50 miles long but was in some places only as wide as the coastal road it followed.
Gerry's name is actually pronounced "Gary," but the term "gerrymander" has always been pronounced with a soft 'g' as in "jerry."
Today’s Reflection
Governor Elbridge Gerry believed he had crafted the perfect plan. By carefully manipulating district boundaries, success seemed guaranteed. Yet despite meticulous calculations, his political strategy crumbled. Scripture reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV). This call to trust extends beyond our spiritual life into every plan and ambition we hold.
Human nature often drives us to seek control. We plot our paths, calculate probabilities, and attempt to manipulate circumstances in our favor. Like Gerry's twisted district boundaries, we sometimes contort ourselves and our principles, believing that if we are clever enough or work hard enough, we can ensure success on our own terms.
Yet time and again, we discover the fragility of human schemes. "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain" Psalm 127:1 (NIV). Our carefully laid plans can dissolve in an instant, leaving us to face the humbling realization that we are not ultimately in control. Gerry's failed strategy became immortalized not as a testament to political genius, but as a cautionary tale about the limits of human manipulation.
This pattern repeats in our lives today. We might massage numbers on a report to look more successful, carefully curate our social media to project a perfect image, or manipulate situations to gain an advantage. Yet these tactics often backfire or leave us feeling hollow. Genuine fulfillment remains elusive when we rely solely on human ingenuity.
The antidote to this cycle lies not in crafting better schemes, but in surrendering our need for control. When we acknowledge our limitations and depend on God's wisdom rather than our own, we discover a deeper security than any human strategy could provide. Success may not always look the way we imagined, but walking in step with God's guidance leads to lasting peace.
God does not call us to stop planning or working diligently. Rather, He invites us to bring our plans before Him, submitting them to His perfect wisdom. "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this" Psalm 37:5 (NIV). When we align our efforts with His will, we can move forward with confidence that does not depend on manipulating outcomes.
The failure of Gerry's redistricting scheme stands as a powerful reminder that even our most sophisticated plans can collapse. Yet in this truth lies an invitation to freedom. When we release our grip on control and trust in the Lord with all our hearts, we discover a path marked not by anxious scheming but by peaceful dependence on His perfect guidance.
Practical Application
Take time to examine your current plans and goals. Identify areas where you might be trying to manipulate outcomes rather than trusting God's guidance. Write down your concerns and aspirations, then deliberately surrender each one to God's wisdom. Consider how your approach might change if you focused more on seeking His direction than controlling results.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the profound lessons You teach us through history's pages. Just as Elbridge Gerry's carefully crafted plans crumbled, we recognize how our own attempts to control circumstances often fall short. We confess our tendency to trust in human wisdom rather than seeking Your perfect guidance. Lord, give us the courage to release our grip on control and the faith to fully trust Your leadership in our lives. Help us to bring every plan and ambition before You, knowing that Your wisdom far exceeds our own. Transform our hearts from anxious scheming to peaceful surrender, from manipulation to trust, from self-reliance to complete dependence on You. May we learn to walk confidently in Your ways, finding security not in our clever plans but in Your faithful guidance. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Final Thoughts
Governor Gerry's political maneuvering illuminates a timeless truth about human nature and divine wisdom. His carefully calculated scheme not only failed to achieve its intended purpose but became a lasting symbol of the futility of human manipulation. Just as those twisted district boundaries could not guarantee success, our own attempts to control outcomes often leave us frustrated and empty. Yet in this historical moment, we find an invitation to a better way. When we exchange our need for control with trust in God's guidance, our paths become straight even when our circumstances seem twisted. True security comes not from manipulating our way forward but from walking in step with divine wisdom. Gerry's legacy reminds us that lasting fulfillment lies not in clever schemes but in humble reliance on God's perfect plan.
THIS IS THE DAY Last Year
February 11 - From Prison to Presidency: Nelson Mandela's Release
This is the day Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, marking a pivotal moment in South Africa's struggle for freedom and equality.
Author’s Notes
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Excellent truth. Love learning history at the same time. And now I understand the term gerrymandering. Thank you.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Jason, your devotion today stayed on the theme of verses that God was bringing to mind, and it called up Hebrews 11:1. Thank you!!