Raw History (Page 5)

The General Welfare Clause of Article I, Section 8, U.S. Constitution: Thoughts by Thomas Jefferson, 1817

The General Welfare Clause of Article I, Section 8, U.S. Constitution: Thoughts by Thomas Jefferson, 1817

On June 16, 1817, Thomas Jefferson penned a letter to Albert Gallatin addressing what he termed the "only landmark which now divides the federalists from the republicans." The landmark dealt with the interpretation of the phrase "to lay taxes, to pay the debts, and to provide for the general welfare"

George Washington: Thoughts on Political Parties, 1796

George Washington: Thoughts on Political Parties, 1796

Most people are familiar with Washington's admonition in his Farewell Address to avoid foreign entanglements; however, the scope of said address is multifaceted. Washington also had something to say about political parties. This excerpt highlights Washington's thoughts about the subject. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Washington’s Farewell Address, September

Lincoln's Proposed Amendment about Slavery, 1862

Lincoln's Proposed Amendment about Slavery, 1862

Interestingly, in his annual message to Congress, December 1, 1862, Abraham Lincoln proposed an amendment to the Constitution dealing with the slavery issue. Below is a summary of the main articles with additional quotes and analyses. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] Art.—Every State wherein slavery now exists which shall

James Madison: Thoughts from Federalist 37, Select Quotes

James Madison: Thoughts from Federalist 37, Select Quotes

The Federalist Papers were written, primarily by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, to both advocate for and sell the Constitution of 1787, and counter the arguments of the Anti-Federalists, so-called. The Federalist Papers give unique insights into the processes that produced the Constitution of the United States and unpack a

Reconstruction in North Carolina: Thoughts by Zebulon B. Vance, 1890

Reconstruction in North Carolina: Thoughts by Zebulon B. Vance, 1890

Few eras in U.S. History are as acrimonious as Reconstruction after the Civil War. Reconstruction can be divided into two approaches: Presidential Reconstruction and Congressional Reconstruction. It's fair to say that the South's surrender happened under the relatively mild overtures from the Lincoln administration. Of course, Lincoln was assassinated:

The Declaration of Independence: Thoughts on Application by C. Chauncey Burr, 1865

The Declaration of Independence: Thoughts on Application by C. Chauncey Burr, 1865

In this selection, Burr addresses what he sees as the practical application of the Declaration of Independence in the affairs of a "free people." In what way is the Declaration mere parchment versus real force in the political decisions of a body politic that no longer wishes to be connected?

The Virginia & Kentucky Resolves, 1798-99, By Madison and Jefferson--Extended Summary

The Virginia & Kentucky Resolves, 1798-99, By Madison and Jefferson--Extended Summary

Background: Anticipating war with France, the Federalist-dominated congress (the Federalist party being led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams) enacted, and President John Adams signed into law, four acts between June 18 and July 14, 1798 known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. The “alien” portion of the acts authorized

Walt Whitman on the Duty of a Government, 1846

Political Philosophy

Walt Whitman on the Duty of a Government, 1846

The following is a short article written by Walt Whitman in the Brooklyn Eagle, April 4, 1846, wherein he quotes an editorial viewpoint from the N.Y. Globe and then proceeds to explain his differences with the Globe’s stated opinion. For ease of reading, I have broken the article

Thomas Jefferson on the Relationship between the State Governments and the Federal Government.

Thomas Jefferson on the Relationship between the State Governments and the Federal Government.

This selection is an extract from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to Major Cartwright, dated June 5, 1824. Of interest is how Jefferson decsribes the relationship between the State governments and the federal government coupled with the process for conflict resolution via a convention of States. August Glen-James, editor They

Defining the Union: Views from the North and South via William Russell, 1861.

Defining the Union: Views from the North and South via William Russell, 1861.

William Russell was an Irish reporter for The Times. He is considered to be one of the first war correspondents having reported, for instance, on the Crimean War. He happened to be in the United States when the Civil War was beginning and wrote several letters with interesting observations. The

Republican Society of the Town of Newark (New Jersey): Newark Gazette—19 March 1794

Republican Society of the Town of Newark (New Jersey): Newark Gazette—19 March 1794

Here is an interesting read from the era that produced America's first party struggles in the wake of the Constitution's ratification and implementation. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > It must be the mechanics and farmers or the poorer class of people (as they are generally called) that must support the freedom

"The Spirit of Governments," Essay by James Madison for the "National Gazette," 18 February 1792--excerpt

"The Spirit of Governments," Essay by James Madison for the "National Gazette," 18 February 1792--excerpt

“No government is perhaps reducible to a sole principle of operation,” Madison wrote. Rather, he theorized, “different and often heterogeneous principles mingle their influence in the administration” of government. Madison’s essay for the National Gazette, from which this post comes, is in reference to Montesquieu’s assertion that fear,

Thomas Jefferson on Emancipation: Excerpt from "Notes on the State of Virginia" (1785)

Thomas Jefferson on Emancipation: Excerpt from "Notes on the State of Virginia" (1785)

Though he owned slaves (perhaps upward of 600 through the course of his life by inheritance and natural increase), Thomas Jefferson disliked the institution and hoped for its gradual extinguishment. The original draft of the Declaration of Independence contained an attack on slavery. It was removed by a committee decision

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution: Thoughts by Robert Toombs

Anti Federalist

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution: Thoughts by Robert Toombs

Robert Toombs was a Georgia politician who served in the United States House of Representatives & Senate, and then served in the Confederate government after secession. His criticism of the Constitution of 1787 is not idiosyncratic as many amongst the Founders and others in subsequent generations voiced concerns about the motivations

A Strict or Loose Interpretation of the Constitution: Jefferson v. Hamilton--February 1791

A Strict or Loose Interpretation of the Constitution: Jefferson v. Hamilton--February 1791

The development and ratification of the 1787 Constitution was a polarizing event. The document itself was a hard-fought compromise in the Convention with some notable attendees refusing to sign it. Then, upon its promulgation to the several States, factions arose to support and oppose its ratification. Opponents of the Constitution

Sectionalism & A Silent Conspiracy: Thoughts by Richard Henry Lee, 1787

Sectionalism & A Silent Conspiracy: Thoughts by Richard Henry Lee, 1787

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution for independence from Britain in the Continental Congress. Subsequent to this resolution, a committee was formed to write a declaration of causes for independence. As most know, Thomas Jefferson penned said declaration, took advice from committee members, John Adams and

John Marshall and the Supreme Court: Thoughts by William Leggett, July 28, 1835

John Marshall and the Supreme Court: Thoughts by William Leggett, July 28, 1835

Chief Justice John Marshall died July 6, 1835. After paying homage to Marshall’s patriotism, intellect, and contributions to the country, William Leggett wrote an editorial wherein he duly mourned Marshall’s passing and then brought his observations to this point: “The enormous powers of the Supreme tribunal of the

"The Futility of Educating the Indians"--Thoughts by Benjamin Franklin, 1753

"The Futility of Educating the Indians"--Thoughts by Benjamin Franklin, 1753

This is an interesting title, to be sure; however, the content of this excerpt will reveal that it is only "futile" to try to make Englishman of the "Indians" who, of course, had their own means of educating their youth. Franklin observed how unsuccessful the English had been in converting

The Constitution without a Bill of Rights: Thoughts by Roger Sherman, November 22, 1787

The Constitution without a Bill of Rights: Thoughts by Roger Sherman, November 22, 1787

When the Constitutional Convention had done its work and the Constitution was conveyed to the several States for consideration, some rose to support and others to oppose the document via convention debates, newspaper editorials and the like. In general, supporters were known as Federalists and opponents Anti-Federalists. One Anti-Federalist criticism

Representation in the House: Thoughts by Fisher Ames, 1788

Representation in the House: Thoughts by Fisher Ames, 1788

In the Massachusetts Convention, 15 January 1788, as the provision of the Constitution were being reviewed and debated, some felt that election to the House should be an annual affair as a safeguard for the people's liberty. Fisher Ames defended the Constitutional provision for a biennial election in the lower

"The Nature of Political Abuses . . . ." Thoughts by William Leggett, January 3, 1835.

General Interest

"The Nature of Political Abuses . . . ." Thoughts by William Leggett, January 3, 1835.

William Leggett, always concerned with government abuse, had an interesting take on the "nature of political abuses." This is short, but is a thought-provoking observation. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > It is the nature of political abuses, to be always on the increase, unless arrested by the virtue, intelligence and firmness

Marxism vs. Liberalism: Thoughts by Ludwig von Mises

General Interest

Marxism vs. Liberalism: Thoughts by Ludwig von Mises

In this selection, Mises characterizes Marx's work and comparaes it, vis-a-vis, with the old "Liberalism" with which Marxism was in conflict. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The rapid expansion of Socialism has been compared to that of Christianity. More appropriate, perhaps, would be a comparison with Islam, which inspired the sons

The Romanticism of Socialism: Thoughts by Ludwig von Mises

Political Philosophy

The Romanticism of Socialism: Thoughts by Ludwig von Mises

The Romanticism of the 18th and 19th centuries, in essence, was a reaction against the Enlightenment. Whereas Enlightenment philosophy was dominated by empiricism, reason, mathematics, logic, mathematically formulated scientific laws, and the abstractions of natural rights, the Romantics emphasized the inner world of personal inspiration, subjectivity, and individual perception. The

Free Labor, Slave Labor, and Sectional Politics: William Leggett, February 10, 1835

Free Labor, Slave Labor, and Sectional Politics: William Leggett, February 10, 1835

This selection comes from an editorial entitled, "Governor McDuffie's Message." The editorial was primarily engineered to assure Governor McDuffie of South Carolina that the "democracy" of the North, i.e., Northern Democrats, were not "immediate abolitionist" fanatics and posed no threat to the South's Constitutional rights in property. To one

"The Crisis" from A British Defense of American Rights, 1775-1776--Installment 1.

The Crisis was a weekly publication that first appeared in January 1775. Its declared purpose was to oppose what the then anonymous authors (identified today, most probably, as William Stewardson, Philip Thicknesse, and Thomas Shaw) saw as government corruption and tyranny being overseen by George IIIs court. The publication’s