Raw History (Page 8)

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

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 Federalist Papers

Bertrand Russell and the Conquest of Happiness

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 its

The Coalescence of a Body Politic

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,

Democratic Despotism as described by Alexis de Tocqueville

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

Methods of Manipulation

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

Cicero on Growing Old

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 dying

Thoughts on Presidential Terms

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 political

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

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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > . . . it is the great

The Status of the States

The Status of the States

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 Constitution,

What is Liberty?

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 very

Conversing with Thoreau

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, who

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

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 poultry.

Arthur Schopenhauer on Freedom of the Press

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't be

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

Employing Socialist Methods

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 category

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 the

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? "On

C. Chauncey Burr on the Legitimacy of Coercion and the Civil War

Many constitutional issues arose when the Civil War began concerning the right of the Federal government to conduct war operations against the Southern states. In this excerpt, Burr [https://rawhistory.com/tag/c-chauncey-burr] addresses some interesting ideas concerning the issue. This selection comes from an article entitled, The Democrats in

When Marx Appeared

Economist, Ludwig von Mises, published a thorough analysis of the social and economic theories of Karl Marx. The following excerpt captures Mises' overview and introduction of the subject. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Marxism is thus the most radical of all reactions against the reign of scientific thought over life and

Political Philosophy

On the Liberty We Possess

This excerpt investigates the relationship between liberty and government. Sometimes powerful ideas are expressed in few words. Such is the case below. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > If the Government is restrained form putting its hand in certain particulars upon you, to that extent you are free, and no more. Daniel

Classic Civilizations

Seneca on Philosophy and being "Really Alive"

The philosophers and thinkers of Greece and Rome offer such interesting insights into sundry topics of life, that those who don't spend some time reading their ancient works are missing out on a rich source of advice. In this selection, Seneca defines what it means to be "alive." --August Glen-James,

C. Chauncey Burr on the Coalescence of Mankind

Northern Democrat and Copperhead, C. Chauncey Burr [https://rawhistory.com/tag/c-chauncey-burr/], had some interesting comments about the formation of political parties. --August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Where the leaders and working men of a party are a set of small desperadoes, the party itself will soon become a political "Lazzaroni.

C. Chauncey Burr on Political Debauchery

Northern Democrat and Copperhead, C. Chauncey Burr, made some interesting observations about the operations of a political party. Of course, in this excerpt, the target is the Republican party headed by Abraham Lincoln; however, the general ideas expressed are applicable across time and space. --August Glen-James, -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > When a political

Brutus on Representation

Brutus on Representation

Anti-Federalist writers criticized various parts of the Constitution. The Federalist writers, chiefly James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, often wrote in response to the concerns raised by the Anti-Federalists, such as representation in the new government. Anti-Federalist writers believed that representation under the Constitution was too small and would tend to

Philodemus and the Fatal Influence of Slavery on the Human Mind

It was common for authors of the Founding Era to use pen names. Sometimes this was for protection, but often it was because the authors wanted the focus of the reader to be on what was written, not who wrote it. Philodemus was a man named Thomas Tudor Tucker. As