Not only did James Madison convince George Washington to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, he promoted other members and their ideas along the way.
James convinced Governor Edmund Randolph to introduce his “Virginia Plan” in such a way that would comply with the purpose for which the Convention had been called. Its original purpose was to amend the unworkable Articles of Confederation. Yes, amend them out of existence.
Edmund Randolph had been an “Aide de Camp” to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Randolph was the currently acting Governor of Virginia. So he was a man of learning and prestige who would be listened to at this Convention. Randolph made an extraordinary introduction to Madison’s plan.
The President of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington, was determined to prevent leaks from the meetings in Philadelphia. One day one of the delegates absent-mindedly left his notes behind on a table in the meeting room.
Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin had several things in common. Not the least of which was how they faced an argument or a political debate.
Some of us feel that way from time to time. All we do is complain. But some of us have learned that complaining doesn’t do any good. You actually have to do something about it.
I guess I knew it, but it was decidedly reinforced in the presentation about Abraham Lincoln which I attended at our Education Conference today. What was it? It was that not only was our Constitution hanging in the balance in Lincoln’s administration, but the Declaration of Independence was as well. It was totally repudiated and disavowed by the Southern States in the Civil War.
Some things have slipped through history with a little fiction attached or some important details omitted. One, of course, is Paul Revere’s ride. Despite that beautiful Longfellow poem, Paul Revere was captured by the British before he could reach Concord and sound the alarm. But it’s a wonderful way to teach history.
Tonight my wife and I went to a concert here at Brigham Young University. We are here for an education conference. There is some nightly entertainment – if you pay extra.
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.