Category Archives: history

George Washington and the New Year—or Century

Posted on by December 31, 2015

Landsdowne paintingAfter George had finally left public life and retired to his beloved Mount Vernon, he had a few years of private life. Yes, he was still visited by friends and neighbors on a regular basis, but no more public obligations.

One evening he went out to mark some trees to be cut down. It was during a slight snow-storm. When he came back he was horse and told Martha he was feeling “unwell.” Martha offered to make his some remedy to ease his pain.

He told her: “No. Let it go as it came. You know I never take anything for a cold.” read more

Thomas Jefferson as A Speaker

Posted on by December 30, 2015

ThomasJeffersonSpeaking of professional speakers, one of the Founding Fathers who wouldn’t be one would be Thomas Jefferson! Although he was very intellectual, wise, and erudite, he was not a good speaker. He could write better than the best of them. But speak he could not, and he knew it. For that reason alone, he probably couldn’t be elected President today.

His voice was high and “squeaky”. He wrote the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence without book or pamphlet as references. Only his background and training as a lawyer guided him through his writing. But he didn’t speak up on behalf of his draft at the Continental Congress. He allowed John Adams to represent him and the committee in advocating adoption of the Declaration. read more

Give Me Liberty

Posted on by December 29, 2015

PatrickHenryI received my monthly “Speaker” magazine today. I am a professional speaker and have been a member of this fine Association for many years. Of course, my interest has been speaking about the Founding Fathers and the way they taught character and leadership.

But today as I looked at my new magazine, I couldn’t help but think that there was no National Speakers Association in the 1700’s. And indeed, there were no professional speakers in that day either. There were, however some very great speakers. John Adams, with his persuasive ability comes to mind. read more

Washington, Peanuts, and Camping

Posted on by December 28, 2015

Valley_Forge_National_Historical_Park_VAFO4627George Washington was familiar with camping. He did it during the French and Indian War, the Battle of Boston, of New York, of Trenton and Princeton, and his favorite, at Yorktown. With many adventures in between. He was a good camper, and a great tactician. Although he did get a little bit better accommodations at camping than most of his soldiers.

I still suspect he sometimes felt a little bit like Lucy in a Peanuts comic strip. The comic strip goes like this:

Lucy is at her desk with the sign above, which declares: “Psychiatric Help 5 cents.” Well it was really a cent sign, which my keyboard doesn’t have. read more

West Point Academy

Posted on by December 24, 2015

West_Point_Cadet_Chapel_Interior_04Did you know that the Church Organ at the Church at West Point is the largest Church organ in the world. Yes, even bigger than the Tabernacle organ of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It’s considered an honor to ask to play it. That organ has 23,511 pipes. The Mormon Tabernacle organ has only 11,623 pipes.

You’ll remember, of course, that the traitor, Benedict Arnold attempted to sell the old Fort at West Point to the British during the Revolutionary War. He was a turncoat to the Redcoats after he had been a hero at Fort Ticonderoga. What a shame. read more

George Washington, a Success Story

Posted on by December 23, 2015

GeorgeWashingtonThis quote by Booker T. Washington, seems especially to apply to our own First President, George Washington:

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles he has overcome.”

Although George’s success could by measured by the positions that he reached, during which he had to overcome many obstacles.

He was a hero in the French and Indian War, a member of Virginia’s House of Burgesses, a very successful plantation owner and businessman, the First Commander in Chief of the new United Colonial Army. He also was a hero, a tactician, a chief of a spy ring, and a celebrated and distinguished General in the Revolutionary War—which he eventually won against the World’s largest military and navy. read more

The Law

Posted on by December 22, 2015

constitutionI came across this ditty while looking up another quote. I include it here as it has truth as its basis.

“Jack says that of law common sense is the base,
And, doubtless, in that he is right;
Though certain I am, that in many a case
The foundation is quite out of sight.”

Of course, man is a noble creature, but he has made some 34,657,983 laws and hasn’t yet improved on the Ten Commandments.

Winston Churchill and Human Rights

Posted on by December 20, 2015

800px-Sir_Winston_S_ChurchillLarry P. Arn, President of Hillsdale College, in Michigan, has written a book about Winston Churchill. He give us some glimpses into Churchill’s thinking about liberty and war.

In 1940 Churchill had become the leader of Great Britain. At this time his country’s Parliament had proposed to him a peace conference which had been arranged by Mussolini, Italy’s leader who had joined with the German Nazi’s to try to conquer the world.

At that period of time Britain stood alone in the West as the only country to specifically oppose Nazi Germany. The German forces vastly outnumbered those of Great Britain. Germany had conquered France and was threatening to cross the English Channel and likewise conquer England. read more

James Madison and the Choice of Liberty

Posted on by December 19, 2015

JamesMadisonJust as Patrick Henry proclaimed “Give me liberty or give me death”, James Madison did likewise. His statement was worded just a little differently.

Madison defined “property rights” to be the same as all human rights. Such rights are specifically protected in our Bill of Rights, the first 10 Amendments, proposed by Madison and adopted by the States.

James refers to property to include such human rights at freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. He wrote that property “included everything to which a man may attach a value and have a right, and which leaves to every one else the like advantage”(emphasis in the original writing). read more

Our Proud Military

Posted on by December 12, 2015

navy-fleet-QBs-carrier-articleToday I watched the last half of the Army – Navy football game. The helmets of the Navy team were so beautiful in blue with an ocean and an aircraft carrier painted on them. I was impressed.

Navy won the game. And I was also impressed and gratified by the deportment of both teams. It is the tradition for each team to gather together in a group and sing their “Alma mater” song. They did it. Both teams, one after the other. Some with tears in their eyes.

It made you proud to be represented in the military by such valiant young people. Americans should be pleased and gratified to have these steadfast young people protect us and our liberty. read more