Category Archives: Our Founding Fathers

facts about their views

Benjamin Franklin:

Benjamin Franklin:

Politics: Franklin seemed not to concern himself with many of the so called “political” issue of his day regarding central government, state’s rights, etc. Rather, he focused on individual morality and espoused seeking personal virtues of:

  1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
  2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
  3. Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
  4. “Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
  5. Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”
  6. “Industry. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”
  7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”
  8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
  9. Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
  10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.”
  11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
  12. Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”
  13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”

Additionally he opposed the idea of slavery. While he did own two slaves at one time he did free them.

Occupation: Printer, librarian, newspaperman, publisher, postmaster and inventor.

Religion: Franklin retained a lifelong commitment to the Puritan virtues and political values he had grown up with, and through his civic work and publishing, he succeeded in passing these values into the American culture permanently. He had a “passion for virtue”. These Puritan values included his devotion to egalitarianism, education, industry, thrift, honesty, temperance, charity and community spirit.  Franklin, steeped in Puritanism and an enthusiastic supporter of the evangelical movement, rejected the salvation dogma, but embraced the radical notion of egalitarian democracy. One of Franklin’s notable characteristics was his respect, tolerance and promotion of all churches. Franklin’s rejection of dogma and doctrine and his stress on the God of ethics and morality and civic virtue made him the “prophet of tolerance.

“As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity; tho’ it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as it probably has, of making his doctrines more respected and better observed; especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any particular marks of his displeasure.[

Other facts: He served as President of Pennsylvania, proposed to 15-year-old Deborah Read and established a “common-law” arrangement 7 years later, fathered an illegitimate son (William), published Poor William’s Almanac, invented bifocals, did not discover electricity, was inducted into the “chess” hall of fame, founded the American Philosophical Society to help scientific men discuss their discoveries and theories and served as Ambassador to France.

stay tuned next week for the wrap up on this topic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adams and Hamilton

John Adams:

Politics: A member of the Federalist Party and strong proponent for Centralized Government. Extremely opposed to slavery (never owned a slave).

Occupation: Lawyer/Farmer

Religion: Congregationalist and Christian Unitarian with Deist leanings.

Other facts: Successfully defended British soldiers regarding the Boston Massacre event.

Thomas Jefferson:

Politics: A member of the Democratic-Republican Party and an advocate of State’s rights.

Occupation: Lawyer/Farmer/Architect/Inventor among many talents.

Religion: Jefferson’s religious and spiritual beliefs were a combination of various religious and theological precepts. Around 1764, Jefferson had lost faith in conventional religion after he had tested the Bible for its historical accuracy. Rather he adopted a stern code of personal moral conduct and drew inspiration from classical literature.  While he embraced various Christian principles he rejected most of the orthodox Christianity of his day and was especially hostile to the Catholic Church as he saw it operate in France. Jefferson advanced the idea of Separation of Church and State, believing that the government should not have an official religion while at the same time it should not prohibit any particular religious expression. He first expressed these thoughts in an 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists in Connecticut.

Throughout his life Jefferson was intensely interested in theology, biblical study, and morality. As a landowner he played a role in governing his local Episcopal Church; in terms of belief he was inclined toward Deism and the moral philosophy of Christianity.

Other facts: Wrote the original draft of the Declaration of Independence. Sally’s Hemmings (reputed very close friend and slave of Jefferson) father was John Wayles, who held her as a slave, and he was also the father of Jefferson’s wife Martha. Sally was at least three-quarters white and strikingly similar in looks and voice to Jefferson’s late wife. He was opposed to the institution of slavery, yet owned in excess of 300 slaves near the end of his life! He only ever freed five of his slaves and then only through his will after his death. He passed within hours of his longtime opponent, yet friend, John Adams! He founded the University of Virginia and oversaw the Louisiana Purchase and the unsuccessful acquisition of Florida. He initiated the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Served as 2 term President, Vice President, Governor of Virginia, member of congress, Secretary of State & Minister to France.

Alexander Hamilton

Politics: He was a Federalist, opposed slavery and one of the foremost proponents of a strong centralized government.

Occupation: Import/Export Clerk, Carpenter & militiaman/officer & self-educated lawyer.

Religion: He was nominally an Episcopalian but, he was not clearly affiliated with the denomination and did not seem to attend church regularly or take communion. Like Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson, Hamilton had probably fallen under the sway of deism, which sought to substitute reason for revelation and dropped the notion of an active God that will intervene in human affairs. At the same time, he never doubted God’s existence, embracing Christianity as a system of morality and cosmic justice

Other facts: Author of the Federalist Papers, was born out of wedlock and raised in the West Indies, served in the Congress, as Secretary of the Treasury, established the US mint and was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr. He was never elected President, but much influenced early constitutional policy

stay tuned next week for more on this subject from additional Founding Fathers

The founders of our Democratic Republic, some interesting facts

Chapter 13

The founders of our Democratic Republic, some interesting facts

I find that I hear quite a bit of rhetoric regarding the founding fathers and what they originally intended. Most of what is bandied about, in my opinion is pure hogwash. Where we tend to be in mutual agreement is that if they were alive today they would be extremely disappointed in what they have spawned.

A brief summary of the early days and revolutionary times add value to this subject.

Historians generally agree that during the revolution there where three competing groups: 1/3 of the people considered themselves patriots of the newly declared republic, 1/3 were loyalists to the crown (and considered the rebels to be traitors) and 1/3 were apathetic. My view is a bit different. When you consider that apathy tends to rule the day I would speculate that the ratios were more in the 20%, 20% & 60% (apathetic) range. Both loyalists and rebels considered themselves “patriots”. The revolution was initiated, primarily, by the merchant class in revolt against the trade taxes imposed by the “crown”.

The resident “Americans” of the day sided with the British and loyalists primarily because they treated that group considerably more respect than the revolutionists. Historians generally concur, that without French support, the outcome of the revolution would have been considerably different.

But I digress, what I want to examine are the attitudes and views of a few of our more significant leaders relative to the founding principles of the new country (from Wikipedia):

 George Washington:

Politics: Member of the Federalist Party, maintained a balanced view of state’s rights vs. authority of the central government. Owned slaves, but eventually opposed slavery and willed their release after the death of Martha. was a huge proponent of neutrality in foreign affairs. In 1793, he declared that the US would be impartial towards powers currently at war.

Occupation: surveyor/farmer/General

Religion: Anglican/Episcopalian (American version of the Church of England). Even during his lifetime, people were unsure of the degree to which Washington believed in Christianity. As noted above, some of his contemporaries called him a deist. Debate continues to this day regarding whether he is best categorized as a deist or as a Christian, and some writers have introduced other terms to describe a blending of the two. Washington held that all religions, and nearly all religious practices, were beneficial to humans. On some occasions, such as during the Constitutional Convention, he attended Presbyterian, Catholic, and Friends Sunday services. Washington was an early supporter of religious toleration and freedom of religion. In 1775, he ordered that his troops not show anti-Catholic sentiments by burning the pope in effigy on Guy Fawkes Night.  When hiring workmen for Mount Vernon, he wrote to his agent, “If they be good workmen, they may be from Asia, Africa, or Europe; they may be Mohammedans [Muslims], Jews, or Christians of any sect, or they may be Atheists.”  In 1790, Washington expressed his support for religious tolerance where in a letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island he stated, “May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

Other facts: Only president to be elected unanimously (received all electoral votes). He served only two terms, despite no term restrictions at the time. Fathered no children, has two step children & did not chop down a cherry tree!

stay tuned next week for more on this subject from other of our Founding Fathers