James Allen, the philosopher (not my brother, Jim), has been called the “literary mystery man of the 20th Century”. Even though his best selling classic work “As A Man Thinketh” has influenced, and even inspired millions around the world, not much is known about the man himself.
In another one of his books, “The Path to Prosperity” he gives this wise counsel: “Money does not constitute true wealth, nor position, nor power, and to rely on it alone is to stand upon a slippery place.
There are those who deem it necessary to besmirch the characters of GREAT men in the history of the Unites States. Much that is untrue has been said or written about Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and yes, even George Washington.
I do not know why some have chosen this path. I do know that it is tasteless, unseemly and unacceptable. We should have our heroes to look up to and fashion our own character about. By tearing them down, we do NOT lift ourselves up.
I have created a chapter in my book “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes” to “debunking the rumors” and Myths about our heroes of history.
Benjamin Franklin was asked one question as he left the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia after the meeting had adjourned on September 17, 1787. He was asked by a widow as Ben walked slowly down the steps: “Well, Doctor Franklin, what have we got, a Monarchy or a Republic?”
His response was quick, full of meaning, and authoritative: “You have a Republic—if you can keep it!”
A part of keeping such a Republic depends on the character of those who govern themselves. That’s because the people are the source of all lawful authority. Americans are free and inherently independent of all but THE MORAL LAW. America does not have a unified religion or a common theology, but we do have something we have to depend on for our freedom. That is a common morality shared by all citizens and that morality is rooted in faith and reason.
After reviewing some things I have in common with John Adams, I had to remember why I started studying the Founding Fathers anyway. As a young lawyer I was appointed by the mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, to be a member of his “Citizens Crime Commission,” a group of volunteers who met monthly and discussed methods the Mayor could use to alleviate crime in the City.
In those days, every major city in America had such a commission. There was a National Citizens Crime Commission. It was 1976, the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. The National Commission was holding its national convention in Philadelphia that year. I was elected to represent the Arizona Crime Commission at the national convention. What an honor.
People began moving to America for various reasons after it became a real possibility to make a life here. The real Founding of America as a new nation began with the French and Indian War in 1763. George Washington played a major part in that war as a member and leader of the Virginia militia, which was subject to the British General.
Then the Revolutionary War essentially began with the shots fired at the Battle of Lexington in 1775. George Washington was appointed to be the first Commanding Officer of the United Colonial Army soon thereafter.
George Washington, of course, was elected unanimously to be the new General to lead the now United Colonial Army to fight the British in what was becoming the Revolutionary War.
He had some interesting help along the way. Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe, General von Steuben, Nathan Hale, and even Thomas Paine. Paine was there when Washington crossed the Delaware for that famous battle of Trenton (and Princeton).
By night Paine sat by the campfire and used a drum head for a desk to write his 8 page pamphlet “The American Crisis.” Thomas Paine then walked 35 miles to Philadelphia where the editor of the Pennsylvania Journal, a newspaper, read his thesis written from his notes. The editor found it all worthy of printing. He published it immediately, printing 18,000 copies.
I once asked the kids in that Seniors government High School advanced class “When was the War of 1812?” They thought it was a trick question, and didn’t know at first. Someone finally realized that 1812 was the date of the War of 1812. It was a fun class!
In June of 1812, President Madison was fed up with the British attacks on our ships, and on their violations of the treaty ending the Revolutionary War. He asked Congress to give him a declaration of war. They did. The war had its ups and downs. In 1814 the British Army was marching to Washington, D.C. President Madison felt it was necessary for him to visit the front lines, see the state of things and encourage the soldiers.
With much to do being made about women and how they should be treated equally, I though not much has been written or said about the wives of our Founding Fathers. Some of us may not even know who these women were, no not even their names. So here goes.
Benjamin Franklin married Deborah Read in 1730. Deborah was with child, and some historians think Ben may have married her to save her reputation. She bore a son, William, who Ben claimed as his own—even though they had a major falling out when William remained a loyalist against Ben’s preaching. Deborah died in 1774 at the age of 66. She never saw the greatest achievements of Ben’s career. They were good partners in business as well as in marriage.
Thomas Jefferson grew to be nearly as tall as his fellow Virginian, George Washington. Washington’s physician left his records listing the height of Washington as 6’ 3 ½ s” inches exact! Tom’s height was listed as 6’ 2 ½”.
Both men grew up as natives of Virginia and both were known as great horsemen, with the nod going to Washington as the slightly better rider. Both of them also learned a great deal from their fathers, despite losing them at an early age. Tom’s father, Peter, died in 1757, when Tom was only 14.
There is much talk these days about our U.S. Constitution. There is not as much talk about the “Father of the Constitution” as James Madison is known. He is, after all, the one who got the framers together to amend the Articles of Confederation. And that took some doing. George Washington didn’t want to attend—he didn’t think it could be successfully accomplished!
But Madison wouldn’t take “no” from his good friend and fellow Virginian. He knew there was no possibility of success at the convention without the most important man in the colonies in attendance. George finally relented and came, and was voted in as the President of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.