James Monroe and Alexander Hamilton at Trenton

monroeI would like to remind you of the acts of two of the other great American heroes of the Revolution who took part in that battle. The Battle of Trenton.

At the age of 18 James Monroe was a lieutenant in the division of soldiers which transferred the canon across the Delaware River in that dangerous journey. He was the leader which attacked the Garrison of Hessian recruits camped in the dormitory at the end of the main street. It undid the composure of those soldiers to the point that they all surrendered. read more

George Washington and the Battle of Trenton

washington crossing the delawareMany know of the miraculous march on the British stronghold at Trenton on Christmas night, 1776. You have most likely seen the beautiful painting by Emanuel Leutze in 1851, depicting the crossing of the Delaware River to stealthily approach the Hessian soldiers who were camped there.

Although technically that painting is not truly accurate, we love the beauty of the scene. However, Washington never would have stood in such a precarious position in the boat while attempting to cross a river with the ice floes and in the dark of night. It was December after all. Also at that date no official American flag existed as depicted in the painting. read more

John Adams and the U. S. Constitution

JohnAdamsJohn Adams doesn’t get the honor and acclaim he deserves! Even in his lifetime he saw this coming. He said:

“The History of our Revolution will be one continued Lye from one end to the other. . . . The essence of the whole will be that Dr. Franklin’s electrical Rod, smote the Earth and out sprung General Washington. . . .That Franklin electrified him with his rod—and thence forward these two conducted all the Policy, Negotiations, Legislatures and War . . . . Mausoleums, Statues, Monuments will never be erected for me, . . . .nor flattering orations spoken to transmit me to Posterity in brilliant Colours.” read more

Who is Your Favorite Founding Father?

GeorgeWashingtonThat was the question put to John Kassich in a televised question and answer period with future voters. He promptly replied with his answer: “George Washington.” And then he expounded on his answer, which was thoughtful.

On the same or a following TV program, the other contestants were quoted in their presentations to groups of followers. There was much bad talk, mud slinging, and derogatory remarks from Mr. Senator from Florida and Mr. Senator from Texas. None of these remarks were very thoughtful. read more

John Adams vs. Thomas Jefferson—Vitriolic Elections

JohnAdamsIn discussing last nights GOP Presidential debate, one commentator boldly stated that there possibly hadn’t been an election with as much acrimonious attacks since Adams and Jefferson. Of course, none of us were alive to really remember that—and there wasn’t any TV coverage.

But it’s true, there had developed some animosity between the two stanchions of the early years of America. They disagreed on the French Revolution, and about the appointment of judges by Adams at the end of his term of office (hey, is that going to come up again?). read more

Thoughts on Education, Government and Good Citizens

Horace_Mann_-_Daguerreotype_by_Southworth_&_Hawes,_c1850There is much talk in government about government and about education these days. It’s not new. Horace Mann (1785-1859), who was an educator, lawyer, and Congressman had this to say about it:

“If we do not prepare our children to become good citizens—if we do not develop their capacities, if we do not enrich their minds with knowledge, imbue (cause to become penetrated, permeate) their hearts with love of truth and duty and a reverence for all things sacred and holy, then our republic must go down to destruction, as others have gone before it (think of Rome); and mankind must sweep through another vast cycle of sin and suffering before the dawn of a better era can arise upon the world. It is for our government, and for that public opinion which in a republic governs the government, to choose between weal (a sound healthy prosperous state) or woe (condition of deep suffering).” (Italics added to help with understanding.) read more

Just Facts about U.S. Presidents

Ronald ReaganWith our upcoming Presidential Election coming this year, I thought you might be interested in a few fascinating facts about our past presidents.

The oldest President—Ronald Reagan

The youngest President—Theodore Roosevelt

The youngest to be elected President—John F. Kennedy

The shortest President—James Madison (5’4’’)

The heaviest President—William Taft 321 lbs. in 1911 (a new larger   bathtub was installed for him in the White House)

The first President to live in the White House at Washington, DC—John Adams read more

Politics and Wealth

HeaderPerhaps both of our democrat candidates for President of the United States should listen to this story:

A certain nobleman had a valet who was violently opposed to the capitalistic system, and who devoted most of his spare time to attending meetings where he could listen while socialistic theories were expounded. The man’s master was tolerant because the servant was diligent in the performance of his duties.

Suddenly the valet stopped going to meetings, and after several weeks the master became curious enough to ask the reason. read more

Lincoln and Federal Judgeships

Abraham_Lincoln_2I don’t know why, but the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia reminds me of a story about Judges, Lawyers, and President Lincoln.

A great admirer of President Abraham Lincoln once appeared in front of President Lincoln and asked for an appointment as a federal judge as a reward for some campaigning he had done in Illinois. The President, who was aware of the man’s complete lack of judicial attributes told the man: “There simply are no vacancies at the present time.”

That man left. Early the next day, this same man was walking along the Potomac River and he saw a man being pulled from the river, drowned. He immediately recognized the man as a federal judge. Without any hesitation, the man again presented himself to President Lincoln as he was eating breakfast. He told President Lincoln what he had seen and demanded an appointment to this new vacancy. read more

Happy Valentines Day, or More Backbiting?

Ronald ReaganAfter last nights GOP Presidential debate, some of us have broken hearts. It seemed like such a squabble, (which is defined as a “noisy altercation”), that I couldn’t tell who won, or who would likely lose support, or who had the best ideas, because of all the noise!

Aesop said it this way: “A husbandman who had a quarrelsome family, after having tried in vain to reconcile them by words, thought he might more readily prevail by example. So he called his sons and bade them lay a bundle of sticks before him. Then having tied them up into a fagot (a bundle, as in bundle of sticks), he told the lads, one after another, to take it up and break it. They all tried, but tried in vain. Then, untying the fagot, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest of ease. Then said the father: ‘Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for all your enemies; but differ and separate, and you are undone.’” read more