I am attending a week long education summit at BYU. One of the classes is about the Presidential election in 1844. It seems to have some similarities with our current election.
One of the late entry candidates for President was General Joseph Smith of Illinois. Most of the candidates, like Martin Van Buren, running for re-election, and others, didn’t really answer the problems that existed at the present time. No way to give credibility to the banks (there was a banking problem), not any real discussions about solving the slavery issue, and no foresightedness about increasing the size of the country to the western ocean.
George Washington had the looks and stature of a President. He was tall, nearly 6’4” and strong of build. He was a great horseman and a victorious soldier. He had a strong moral compass and great character. Plus, he had been front and center in all the major events in the creation of the new nation.
George Washington was against political parties, Thomas Jefferson was against electioneering, and James Madison had to fight hard to figure out a method to elect a President that would appeal to the 55 men who were in the Constitutional Convention. Now, we can hardly understand how the Electoral College even works.
Out of that came the “110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation.” One of these rules was: “Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your own Language and that as those of Quality do and not as ye Vulgar; sublime matters treat seriously.” (number 72).
When James Madison was 43 and a Congressman, he met Dolley (Dorothy Payne), she was a 26 widow with two young sons, one a new born and one 18 months old. She was beautiful and vivacious and very popular. He was old and dreary of temperament. It didn’t seem like much of a match made in heaven.
When Ben and John were sent by Congress to try to talk reason with the British generals at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, travel wasn’t like it is today. No interstate highways, no automobiles, no large hotels to spend the night in. John and Ben had to spend the night at an inn with only one room and with one bed available.
I’m going to break with tradition a little bit tonite and quote a little bit from my upcoming book, “A Patriot in Prison.” I believe Patrick Henry will be proud of this book, since he was a great champion of the Grand Jury system—as it was in his day!
I believe that the Founding Fathers were all EXCEPTIONAL leaders. They were all at the right place at the right time in history. It’s pretty amazing if you think about it. How often can you get 55-56 well educated and experienced men in one room and have them agree on anything, let alone how to build a new nation?
One of my favorite historical novels was about John and Abigail Adams. The book was titled “A Love Story,” by Irving Stone. Most know of their marriage and how Abigail kept the home going while John was off being an attorney, a diplomat and a Founding Father.