Founding Era

The Middling Classes. Thoughts by Anti-Federalist, Melancton Smith, on the topic of Representation and the Constitution of the United States

The circumstances in which men are placed in a great measure give a cast to the human character.

Civil War

The Origins of the Civil War: Thoughts by Walt Whitman, 1875.

Such, I say, form’d the entire personnel, the atmosphere, nutriment and chyle, of our municipal, State and National Politics—substantially permeating, handling, deciding and wielding everything—

Civil War

The Real Factions of the War: Thoughts by Alexander H. Stephens, 1868

The contest was between those who held it to be strictly Federal in its character, and those who maintained that it was thoroughly National. It was a strife between the principles of Federation, on the one side, and Centralism, or Consolidation, on the other.

Civil War

The Institutions of a People: From Alexander Stephens' Union Speech, November 14, 1860

And when once the Institutions of our people shall have been destroyed, there is no earthly power that can bring back the Promethean spark, to kindle them here again, any more than in that ancient land of eloquence, poetry and song!

Civil War

Despotism & Civil Liberties in the North Compared with the Confederacy: Thoughts by Edward Alfred Pollard, 1865

The unholy passions of this war, its hate, its greed, its dire revenge, its desperation, induced the people of the North to compromise their constitutional rights.

President James Buchanan Addresses Secession: December 4, 1860

President James Buchanan has been criticized, sometimes scathingly so, for not dealing with secession. It was a difficult conundrum that is still argued about today. This post will highlight an extract from Buchanan's last Annual Message. It would be helpful to readers to investigate the Kentucky and Virginia Resolves, the

Mayor Wood's Recommendation of the Secession of New York City, January 6, 1861

Many may be unaware that Mayor Fernando Wood of New York City recommended that the the city secede from the State of New York and declare itself a free city so as to carry on its profitable trade with the South. New York's shipping and commerce were in a large

Anti Federalist

Book Ends: Richard Henry Lee & Alexander Stephens on the Consolidation of the States

It's interesting to read two eras of history that address, in relative terms, the same subject. In this case, the topic is the consolidation of the several States into one centralized government. Those who became known in history as the Anti-Federalists routinely predicted that the Constitution would lead to the

C Chauncey Burr

The Failure of the Crittenden Compromise & The Inauguration of War.

In his work, The Old Guard, C. Chauncey Burr addressed myriad issues related to the development and prosecution of the Civil War. In this case, he addressed the Crittenden Compromise. The Crittenden Compromise proposed a series of constitutional amendments proposed in Congress in 1860 to ameliorate friction between proslavery and

C Chauncey Burr

The Weapons of the Administration: The Boston Courier, Civil War Era.

The national narrative of the Civil War often excludes the critics of President Abraham Lincoln. Copperhead, C. Chauncey Burr, had plenty of maledictions for the President. In this case, Burr lets the Boston Courier do the work. August Glen-James, editor The Boston Courier thus paints the face of Lincolnism: The

C Chauncey Burr

"Nations, once fallen, seldom rise again." Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr during the Civil War.

Copperhead, C. Chauncey Burr, saw in the Civil War the potential of a fundamental decay of the nations principles. This was alarming for Burr since, quoting an unidentified source, he wrote that "there is no resurrection" for nations. Of interest in this post are the lessons Burr draws from Rome

Founding Era

Obligations to Posterity: Thoughts by Cato, 1787.

This is a short but interesting view about obligations that a generation has to posterity. The occasion of these remarks is the fight over the ratification of the Constitution. Cato, being among the Anti-Federalists, distrusted the Constitution vis-a-vis the Articles of Confederation. August Glen-James, editor . . . your posterity will find that

Civil War

General Robert E. Lee's Policies in Pennsylvania: Thoughts by Edward Alfred Pollard, 1865

The effect of his moderate warfare on such a people was to irritate them without intimidating them. . . .

"The Trap History Had Set for Us." Thoughts by Elie Wiesel, Memoirs

It seems that life is largely composed of two veins of thought: what should be and what is--i.e., theory and reality. In his memoirs, Elie Wiesel relates a moment where theory and reality collided. The overall history of WWII, the setting for Wiesel's work, is well known; however, his

Classic Civilizations

Factionalism in the Byzantine Empire: Thoughts by Montesquieu

Factionalism, i.e., the development and subsequent infighting of political parties, has long been recognized as poisonous by many of history's celebrated thinkers and writers. For example, Madison, in Federalist 10, outlined the causes and effects of factionalism, and what he believed to be the only way to control them.

Founding Era

The Powers of Congress, Tyranny, and an Armed Population: Concerns Answered by Mr. Sedgwick, Massachusetts Convention.

It was, he said, a chimerical idea to suppose that a country like this could ever be enslaved.

Founding Era

Debating the Constitution: Symmes v. Bowdoin--From the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention

I observe, sir, that many men, who, within a few years past, were strenuous opposers of an augmentation of the power of Congress, are now the warmest advocates of power so large as not to admit of a comparison with those which they opposed.

Founding Era

A Plot For Monarchy: From the Works of Thomas Jefferson.

Delegates in different places had actually had consultations on the subject of seizing on the powers of a government & establishing them by force, had corresponded with one another, and had sent a deputy to Genl. Washington to solicit his co-operation. He calculated too well to join them.

Founding Era

Thomas Jefferson & Aaron Burr: An Interesting Anecdote.

I . . . should never go into the office of President by capitulation, nor with my hands tied by any conditions which should hinder me from pursing the measures which I should deem for the public good.

Political Philosophy

Ideological Unity & Communism: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

Once ideological unity is established, it operates as powerfully as prejudice.

General Interest

Conclusions About Josef Stalin: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

"At the time I was still capable of believing that I could be a Communist and remain a free man." --Milovan Djilas

Classic Civilizations

Agricola's Conquest of Britain by Tacitus: A.D. 98

Roman historian, Tacitus, authored five works: Agricola was the earliest. Incidentally, Agricola was Tacitus's father-in-law. Of interest here is the way in which the Romans used both force and culture to enslave the Britons. This post is a bit lengthy, but worth the read as it will give one much

Classic Civilizations

The Rise of the Romans v. the Decline of the Carthaginians: Thoughts by Montesquieu.

In his work, Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and their Decline, Montesquieu had some interesting thoughts about the elements that make a people either powerful or weak. From Montesquieu's analysis, one can ferret out some timeless considerations on the strengths and weaknesses of society, causes

Founding Era

Thomas Jefferson on the Construction of History: From "The Anas," 1791--1806.

In this excerpt, Jefferson is writing about the notes he would take on “loose scraps of paper” when he served in the Washington administration. He wrote further: These scraps therefore, ragged, rubbed, & scribbled as they were, I had bound with the others by a binder who came into my cabinet,

Founding Era

Luther Martin Defends Elbridge Gerry: January 1788

It's easy to get the impression that the Constitutional Convention was a harmonious venture; however, there was actually a lot of angst and anger at times. For instance, Robert Yates and John Lansing, delegates from New York, left the convention and actively fought against ratification. Other members, like Col. Mason