Archive for Founding Father's Quote Friday
FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on the Fall of Republics
Today we will look at what Alexander Hamilton had to say about the self-destructive weaknesses of republics. In a day and age where both extremes of unitary government and total democracy are pitted against each other in our nation, his words need to be heard and understood. Every republic at all times has its Catalines [...]
FFQF: George Washington on the Spirit of Party
Beginning with this month, I have decided to stop issuing monthly themes for the Founding Fathers’ Quote Friday meme. My reason for this is simply, it will make it easier for bloggers to participate, and encourage other bloggers to become participants (hopefully). There is the possibility that inspiration will strike me and I will issue [...]
FFQF: My Double-Barrelled Bill of Rights
I said it once, and I’ll say it again (although you are all probably tired of hearing it): our theme for this week has sounded more or less like an elegy to the late great Bill of Rights. Our Founders were aware that, in the usual course of history, governments would look out more and [...]
FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Rights
For the past several weeks, I and those participating in this month’s Founding Fathers’ Quote Friday meme, have been dealing with the subject of the (late great) Bill of Rights. We have been approaching that subject from the angle that the reason for its demise has simply been the ignorance and complacency of the people. [...]
FFQF: The Bill of Rights — First Amendment
It seems that our theme for this week has sounded a bit more like an elegy to the Bill of Rights, which, for all practical purposes, are dead. What now? Well, let us look and see where we have fallen. We will start by looking at the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting [...]
FFQF: George Mason on the Bill of Rights
Pop quiz! Who is known as the “Father of the Bill of Rights”? I’m sure some of my readers know the answer, and the rest are certainly smart enough to know that I have already named him.Yes, the answer is: George Mason! He is known as the Father of the Bill of Rights for several [...]
FFQF: The Humor of George Washington
Now I know what you’re thinking. George Washington could not have really been that funny. True, he was not disposed to laughter and joking, particularly after his grueling experiences in the War for Independence, which concluded, sadly, with the death of his adopted son, John Parke Custis. He did, however, possess the ability to be [...]
FFQF: The Real Humor of Alexander Hamilton
The last time we touched on Hamilton’s humor, he borrowed it from his friend James McHenry. Today, we will see what credit his own words do to his own wit. While it was not his regular habit to tell jokes, he never could resist poking fun when he could. While General Washington’s aide-de-camp, he was [...]
FFQF: The Humorous John and Abigail
I told Mrs. Mecomber at the beginning of this month that our theme “HUMOR” this month would be more or less a tribute to John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. So I will again turn to John Adams this week for a chuckle. His wife Abigail, however, was not any less funny, in my humble opinion. [...]
FFQF: The Humor of John Adams
John Adams had such a way of telling stories. In his letters, and in his Autobiography (today’s selection comes from the latter), his recounting of amusing incidents, or, incidents he made amusing with his retelling, are unforgettable. Today’s selection reveals the amusing side of his “yankee” nature. John Adams liked to dicker and argue by [...]
