Raw History (Page 6)

Of the Original Contract: David Hume, 1752

Of the Original Contract: David Hume, 1752

Contract theory is tantamount to American constitutionalism and is central to the founding of the United States. In essence, contract theory means government by consent. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, channeling authors like John Locke, wrote that “all men are created equal” and “endowed” with the “unalienable Rights”

Louis Brandeis on the Freedom of Speech and Assembly: Whitney v. California (1927)

General Interest

Louis Brandeis on the Freedom of Speech and Assembly: Whitney v. California (1927)

The First Amendment freedoms of speech and assembly have relevance across space and time. These freedoms, or the lack thereof, are harbingers of freedom or tyranny. No right is absolute, however, and the Supreme Court of the United States has, over time, defined both the limit and extent of many

Roger B. Taney on Judicial Activism: Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857.

Roger B. Taney on Judicial Activism: Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857.

Dred Scott v. Sandford is one of the most infamous Supreme Court decisions in history. It ruled, among other things, that slaves were not citizens and, therefore, could not sue in federal courts. Furthermore, the Court ruled that Congress could not outlaw slavery in the territories. Of course, this contributed

Shelby Foote & the End for Jefferson Davis

Shelby Foote & the End for Jefferson Davis

Historian, Shelby Foote, wrote a massive, three-volume work on the Civil War. In Volume III, Foote gave narration to the major events in Jefferson Davis's life from his arrest to the end of his life. It is poignant and well-written. I will let Mr. Foote take it from here. August

The Failure of Interventionism (Including Socialism and Fascism): Thoughts by Ludwig von Mises--Epilogue, 1947

Political Philosophy

The Failure of Interventionism (Including Socialism and Fascism): Thoughts by Ludwig von Mises--Epilogue, 1947

Originally published in 1922, the book Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis is a work that opens the subject to the critical analysis of the Austrian school of economics’ prime thinker, Ludwig von Mises. Socialism was so convincing that it turned some young socialists of the age into free market

Edmund Burke: Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies,
22 Mar. 1775*

Edmund Burke: Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies, 22 Mar. 1775*

An Analysis by August Glen-James -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By March 1775, the British situation in the Colonies was growing daily more tense; the first shots of the American Revolution were less than a month away. Edmund Burke, in response to this crisis, delivered a speech in Parliament wherein he said, “I do

Federalist No. 10: An Analysis

Federalist No. 10: An Analysis

Federalist No. 10 was written by James Madison in November 1787 and was a continuation of Federalist No. 9, written by Alexander Hamilton. The theme of both numbers was “The Utility of the Union as a Safeguard against Domestic Factions and Insurrection.” What follows is an analysis of Federalist No.

These Confederated States and the Right of Revolution: Thoughts by John Quincy Adams, 1838

These Confederated States and the Right of Revolution: Thoughts by John Quincy Adams, 1838

The 1830s were a tumultuous time in American History. The tariff debate between the North and South reached a fever pitch and resulted in the emergence of sectional bickering that foreshadowed the Civil War. During this time frame, John C. Calhoun and Daniel Webster emerged as sectional champions for the

Trifles for Archimedes and His Machines: Archimedes's Defenses Against Marcellus

Classic Civilizations

Trifles for Archimedes and His Machines: Archimedes's Defenses Against Marcellus

Archimedes is considered to be one of the greatest, if not greatest, mathematicians of the Ancient Greek era. His mathematical genius was put to many uses in the discipline known as physics. In this selection from Plutarch, Archimedes's development of war instruments and their deployment agains Marcellus of Rome makes

Of the Republican institutions of the United States, and what their chances of duration are: Thoughts by Alexis de Tocqueville

Political Philosophy

Of the Republican institutions of the United States, and what their chances of duration are: Thoughts by Alexis de Tocqueville

The Union is an accident, which will only last as long as circumstances are favorable to its existence . . .

How Free Governments are to be framed so as to last, and how they differ from such as are arbitrary: John Trenchard, Cato’s Letters, No. 61, 13 Jan. 1721

How Free Governments are to be framed so as to last, and how they differ from such as are arbitrary: John Trenchard, Cato’s Letters, No. 61, 13 Jan. 1721

Although written with the English government in mind, this selection addresses principles that apply to all forms of government and all office seekers. Often, works like this don't necessarily reveal something unknown to the reader. Most accept the occurrence of political corruption; however, the eloquence of a gifted author's expression

An Enquiry into the Nature and Extent of Liberty: John Trenchard, 20 Jan. 1721--Cato's Letters, No. 62

An Enquiry into the Nature and Extent of Liberty: John Trenchard, 20 Jan. 1721--Cato's Letters, No. 62

Civil society arises in the nexus between principle and policy, and what that society becomes through policy seems often to reflect its principles and philosophical assumptions. This selection investigates the assumption, principle, and concept of liberty according to the thoughts of John Trenchard. In this essay, readers will find some

Amendment 2: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864

C Chauncey Burr

Amendment 2: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864

Copperhead, C. Chauncey Burr, had some interesting thoughts about the Second Amendment within the context of the Lincoln Administration. This selection reveals his take on the issue. Italics are in the original. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The militia is the natural defence of a free country against sudden foreign invasions,

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864.

C Chauncey Burr

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864.

One of the central themes of the Civil War was the nature of the Union. Was the Union one of a consolidated nature or was it a federation of sovereign states, each with the ability to determine, for itself, the interpretation of the Constitution and its application within its own

Thoughts on the First Amendment: C. Chauncey Burr, 1864

Thoughts on the First Amendment: C. Chauncey Burr, 1864

To those not well-read in the Civil War era, it may come as a surprise that the Lincoln administration shut down over 300 newspapers and jailed numerous people for speaking against the war or criticizing the Administration in some form or another, and a sitting congressman was even exiled during

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine: Excerpts

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine: Excerpts

One of the best known literary works from the Revolutionary War is Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Most know Paine by name but few, in my experience, have actually read Common Sense; consequently, this post contains a number of excerpts from the work that will at least expose readers to many

What Will Come of Re-electing Lincoln: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr

C Chauncey Burr

What Will Come of Re-electing Lincoln: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr

Written in September 1864, this selection was part of a larger piece outlining why Abraham Lincoln must be defeated in the upcoming election. Of interest is Burr's take on the sovereignty of the several states and their relationship to, and rights within the Union to self-determination. Incidentally, James Madison's quote

Raw History: Motivation, Scope, and Subject Choice

Raw History: Motivation, Scope, and Subject Choice

In my experience, what passes for historical education is often one sided (e.g., written by the "victors") or oversimplified (e.g., "no taxation without representation"). A general history education can be adequate for most people, though, if it is broadly and factually based. However, there are those for whom

The Infamous Message and Proclamation: Thoughts about Lincoln's offer of Amnesty to the South, 1864--by C. Chauncey Burr

The Infamous Message and Proclamation: Thoughts about Lincoln's offer of Amnesty to the South, 1864--by C. Chauncey Burr

In this selection, the position of the Copperheads on Lincoln's offer of amnesty to the South are outlined. The position is couched in the penumbra of the Emancipation Proclamation. Moreover, C. Chauncey Burr defines what he believes the Democratic party of the North needs to be in order to entice

"Mr. Jefferson's Opinions"

"Mr. Jefferson's Opinions"

This is extracted from a letter from Mr. Jefferson to Major Cartwright, dated June 5, 1824, from Monticello and addresses the relationship between the states and the federal government. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > They are co-ordinate departments of one simple and integral whole. With respect to our state and federal

The Power of Citizens to Avoid Political Collapse: Thoughts by Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. 1784-1786

The Power of Citizens to Avoid Political Collapse: Thoughts by Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. 1784-1786

Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. was the son of Revolutionary War general, Benjamin Lincoln. He wrote ten essays between 1784 and 1786 on subjects that the editors of this work, referenced below the selection, believe "grew out of a conversation that Massachusetts people were having about the problem of a bicameral legislature

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Partisan Rivalry

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Partisan Rivalry

According to James Madison [https://rawhistory.com/tag/james-madison/] (Federalist No. 10), factions, i.e., political parties, as we generally understand them, are essentially a by-product of freedom. To the degree that a free people have differing opinions about policies and procedures, they coalesce into political parties. "The inference to

Observations about Hamilton and Adams: by Thomas Jefferson

Observations about Hamilton and Adams: by Thomas Jefferson

In 1811, Thomas Jefferson, writing to Dr. Benjamin Rush, has some interesting observations about Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. While serving in the Washington administration, Jefferson was asked by the President to call together the "Heads of departments, and to invite Mr. Adams" to join them in order to make

Benjamin Franklin and the Albany Plan of Union

Benjamin Franklin and the Albany Plan of Union

In July 1754, Benjamin Franklin wrote "Reasons and Motives for the Albany Plan of Union." The context was the beginning of the French and Indian War (alternatively, the Seven Years' War in Europe). The plan was ultimately rejected, which led to this remark by Franklin on February 9, 1789. August

The Principles on which the War was Waged by the North: Thoughts by Lysander Spooner

The Principles on which the War was Waged by the North: Thoughts by Lysander Spooner

Most Americans see the Civil War as a settled issue: the clash put an end to slavery, saved the Union and ensured that “government of the people, by the people, for the people” did not “perish from the earth” (from the Gettysburg Address). However, some who lived through the conflict