August Glen-James - Raw History (Page 8)

A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT vs. A FEDERAL UNION OF SOVEREIGN STATES: SAMUEL ADAMS TO RICHARD HENRY LEE

Most people know Samuel Adams and associate his name with either beer or the American Revolution. Fewer people, however, recognize Richard Henry Lee. Lee, from Virginia, offered the resolution for independence thus leading to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Both men, however, opposed the Constitution. Samuel Adams corresponded

General Interest

Who Should Be Able to Vote: Thoughts by John Stuart Mill

Universal suffrage has become common in democratically-minded nations of the West. It hasn't always been that way, of course, as access to the franchise has been qualified across time and space. Today, however, most Western countries have universal suffrage for their adult citizens. English philosopher, John Stuart Mill,

General Interest

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT MANKIND: Arthur Schopenhauer

German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, had some fascinating thoughts about the nature and existence of man. These three selections highlight some of his most interesting views. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > There is no absurdity so palpable that one could not fix it firmly in the head of every man on

Classic Civilizations

SENECA ON INTERESTS AND SUBJECT MATTER

If you've ever wondered why two people can interpret, for instance, the same speech so differently, this quote is for you. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > . . . deriving material for his own individual interests from identical subject-matter. "There is nothing particularly surprising about this way which everyone has

Federalist

MORTAL FEUDS VS. INTRIGUES OF INCONSIDERABLE FACTIONS: ALEXANDER HAMILTON

In "Federalist 16," Alexander Hamilton draws a distinction between the "intrigues of an inconsiderable faction," which can be handled by a state's magistracy, and "mortal feuds." This is a short but interesting read. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > It is in vain

Anti Federalist

To Make All Necessary and Proper Laws: The Federal Farmer

In this selection, Anti-Federalist writer, The Federal Farmer, expresses concern about the so-called "Elastic Clause" and the potential of it to create an unlimited government. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > But a congress of a different character will not be bound by the constitution to pay respect to

Founding Era

A STUDIED BREVITY IN THE CONSTITUTION: THE FEDERAL FARMER

In this post, the Anti-Federalist writer, The Federal Farmer, addressed an interesting concern that the authors of the Constitution assumed a common understanding of some principles and, therefore, did not include explanatory or specific definitions of certain items that could, perhaps, be misconstrued and abused. Here are his thoughts. August

Founding Era

"End of the Common Course and Condition" By William Bradford

Few people know that the Pilgrims experimented with a kind of Christian-inspired communism. In his work, History of Plimoth Plantation, William Bradford wrote about the experience. This post investigates the relevant excerpt. It's important to know that prior to the opening sentence below, Bradford was writing about the

Founding Era

James Madison on the Character of the Government (Federalist 39)

When the Constitution became available for scrutiny in the Fall of 1787, pointed criticism of the document began to arise. The Constitution's critics became known as Anti-Federalists and its supporters, Federalists. The most prominent Federalist writers were James Madison and Alexander Hamilton--who were the principle authors of the

General Interest

Bertrand Russell and the Conquest of Happiness

Mathematician and philosopher, Bertrand Russell, wrote some interesting books on various subjects. One was entitled The Conquest of Happiness. In this work, Russell had an interesting take on both suicide and argumentation. These selections largely speak for themselves. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > External interests, it is true, bring each

Founding Era

The Coalescence of a Body Politic

Many salient episodes of United States history deal with the concept and processes of forming unions. What is it that makes political affiliation and union possible? This post addresses some thinking on the subject from two sources. First, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote about the most important elements of union and,

Political Philosophy

Democratic Despotism as described by Alexis de Tocqueville

Historian, Gordon Wood, recounts a Tory’s concern in 1775 that a popular revolutionary legislature could become as tyrannical as the king and deprive people of their individual liberties. John Adams dismissed this concern quipping that, “A democratic despotism is a contradiction in terms.” A few decades later, however, a

Political Philosophy

Methods of Manipulation

The greatest villains in history can teach useful and practical lessons in psychology, sociology, politics and more . . . that is if readers can separate themselves from the visceral revulsion for the person and consume the works for their academic and informative value. Such is the case for these selections from Mein

Classic Civilizations

Cicero on Growing Old

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The daring of youth and the wisdom of old age seem to be common themes across time and space. If you are starting to feel your age, Cicero will speak to you. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A young person

Political Philosophy

Thoughts on Presidential Terms

At the Constitutional Convention, it was suggested that a president be limited to a single, six-year term. The idea failed; however, it reemerged at least twice in the 19th century. The following excerpts highlight some of the integral thinking on the subject. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A President whose

Founding Era

For the General Welfare and Common Defense . . . Thoughts on Taxation

The Anti-Federalists tried to draw attention to troubling provisions in the 1787 Constitution, one of which was the proposed power of taxation for the "general welfare and common defense" of the nation. John Smilie and "Brutus" make some observations on the subject. August Glen-James, editor --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Civil War

The Status of the States: Thoughts by John Richard Deering

What was the status of the several states at the outbreak of the Civil War? Were they sovereign and free or bound by an indissoluble union? Confederate veteran, John Richard Deering, thinks thusly about the issue. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > That they had enslaved themselves when they ratified the

Political Philosophy

What is Liberty?

Frederic Bastiat, 1801-1850, was a French economist and writer in the tradition of what would be known today as free market economics. In this selection, Bastiat defines his conception of liberty. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Is not liberty the destruction of all despotism . . . And what is this liberty, whose

General Interest

Conversing with Thoreau

In this selection, Henry David Thoreau gives one something to think about when engaged in conversation . . . especially amongst those who may have a narrow viewpoint. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Get out of the way with your cobwebs, wash your windows, I say. I hardly know an intellectual man, even,

General Interest

Thinking: A Metaphorical Way to "Think" About it.

Some people are born with transcendent gifts. Henry David Thoreau was one such person. His writings are lucid and powerful. This selection was taken from what appears to be one of his favorite lectures and was, subsequently, published posthumously. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Our winged thoughts are turned to

Political Philosophy

Arthur Schopenhauer on Freedom of the Press

Freedom of the Press is a lauded value in the West. The Constitution enshrined its freedom in the First Amendment and it is ever-present in the lives of Americans. Arthur Schopenhauer was a 19th century German philosopher who had an interesting perspective on freedom of the press. It shouldn'

Founding Era

James Madison on Restraining Government from Oppressive Matters

The Federalist Papers were a series of articles written in defense of the Constitution and intended to facilitate its adoption by the several states. Though writing under the pseudonym Publius, we have leaned the the main authors were James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. James Madison, in Federalist 57, has an

Miscellaneous

Employing Socialist Methods

Ludwig von Mises was an eyewitness to the rise of socialism and the Bolshevik take-over of Russia. As an economist, he studied socialism and, subsequently, wrote a detailed book on the subject. He had many interesting insights; here is one of them. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > To the first

Founding Era

A National or Federal Organization: A Convention Spat Between Founders

Two basic factions showed up at the Constitutional Convention: one faction believed strongly in states' rights and desired to maintain a federal system, veering only slightly from the Articles of Confederation, but with a few targeted changes; the other sought a system that would be strongly national. Some in

Classic Civilizations

Cicero on the Republic

Cicero was of the generation that saw the Roman Republic slip, almost imperceptibly to many, into a full blown empire. The following is an interesting view about his experience. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > What remains of those ancient customs on which he said the state of Rome stood firm?