I really get a kick out of all the gnashing of teeth in many quarters over the supposed loss of civility in politics today, especially when it comes to the current crop of presidential wannabes.
As it is, in between running from bears at our campsite this week, I’m reading a biography of America’s original big-government liberal and one of the nation’s Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton. And I just came across this “scathing assessment” of presidential candidate James Monroe, who eventually went on to become the nation’s 5th U.S. president, penned by Aaron Burr…
“Naturally dull and stupid; extremely illiterate; indecisive to a degree that would be incredible to one who did not know him; pusillanimous and, of course, hypocritical; has no opinion on any subject and will always be under the government of the worst men; pretends, as I am told, to some knowledge of military matters, but never commanded a platoon nor was ever fit to command one. . . . As a lawyer, Monroe was far below mediocrity.”
The notion that politics today has sunk to a level of personal attacks far removed from anything the Founders would have approved is nonsense. Our American ancestors could get down in the dirt and play the politics of personal destruction with the best of ‘em. Hillary and Obama are pikers by comparison.
And while on the subject of American history and quotations, I was reminded of the argument still reverberating in some corners today that Iraqis in particular, and Muslims in general, are incapable of embracing a democratic form of government by this quote from Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, a lesser-known figure in the American Revolution:
“The French are no more capable of a republican government than a snowball can exist a whole week in the streets of Philadelphia under a burning sun.”
Ah, the more things change…
And as the Bush administration and Congress continue to load up on debt and spending, all in the name of “the war on terror,” of course, I couldn’t help but notice this warning issued by the 4th U.S. president, James Madison:
“War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies and debts and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few.”
No wonder many of us revere the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. And no wonder so many of us fear the direction of our current government. Remember, it’s not paranoia when they’re really out to get you!
Posted on August 22nd, 2007 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: National
[…] But following up a point I made recently about modern day politics not really being all that more harsh or hostile than in the founding days, recall this little historical loss of decorum in the House back then… “An episode at Congress Hall in January 1798 symbolized the acrimonious mood. Representative Matthew Lyon of Vermont, a die-hard Republican, began to mock the aristocratic sympathies of Roger Griswold, a Federalist from Connecticut. When Griswold then taunted Lyon for alleged cowardice during the Revolution, Lyon spat right in his face. Griswold got a hickory cane and proceeded to thrash Lyon, who retaliated by taking up fire tongs and attacking Griswold. The two members of Congress ended up fighting on the floor like common ruffians.” […]
[…] But following up a point I made recently about modern day politics not really being all that more harsh or hostile than in the founding days, recall this little historical loss of decorum in the House back then… “An episode at Congress Hall in January 1798 symbolized the acrimonious mood. Representative Matthew Lyon of Vermont, a die-hard Republican, began to mock the aristocratic sympathies of Roger Griswold, a Federalist from Connecticut. When Griswold then taunted Lyon for alleged cowardice during the Revolution, Lyon spat right in his face. Griswold got a hickory cane and proceeded to thrash Lyon, who retaliated by taking up fire tongs and attacking Griswold. The two members of Congress ended up fighting on the floor like common ruffians.” […]