Civil War History - Secession and PoliticsWas it Slavery, or was it States Rights? Perhaps it was the election of Lincoln? What were the real reasons for Southern Secession and what were the political issues in this time of war? Find your answers here in the Secession and Politics Disussion.
JQ Adams had journal entries for many years, so there's a nice body of evidence to pull from. He was a bit short-tempered as you point out, but what he did in relation to the Gag Rule over 8 years took the patience of Job. He took the Amistad case when few people would ....and won! He didn't always follow the party line... which eventually worked against him with Democrats.
Like Madison, JQ Adams best years were not in the White House. For Madison it was his work at the Constitutional Convention and for Adams it was his work in Congress.
Two good books of a general nature outlining some of the positive aspects of Adams overall body of work...
Arguing Slavery by William Lee Miller (mostly about the Gag Rule over his last years in Congress)
What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America 1815-1848 by Daniel Walker Howe (covers most of his presidency and much of his later life)
Thanks JPeter for the book recommendations. I will add them to my ever-growing list: too many good books, too little time!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ole
John Q might have refused to campaign -- and I have no doubt that he did abstain -- but I find it hard to believe that he didn't have people out there doing it for him.
You're probably right, ole. However, I'd bet it would be a little hard to find those folks. JQ had a talent for making people dislike him. No matter though, he went on to use that talent to torment his fellow Congressmen for the better part of 16 years. By then, he actually had acquired a following of people back home and beyond that actually appreciated his independence, courage, honesty, and tenacity.
Guess I'll go along with that statement, Clara. Thanks.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
John Quincey Adams was certainly one of the more interesting characters. His service as a diplomat before his presidency is also valuable. He negoticiated the end of the War of 1812, and was the author of the Monroe Doctrine.
For his work overturning the gag rule, an excellent and entertaining account is "Arguing About Slavery" by William Lee Miller. Adams turned out to be a quick witted, persistent and remarkably sarcastic fighter in the Congress. He prophetically saw that slavery's demise would come in an war, as a military measure, as it did in the Emancipation Proclamation.
Actually have no bone to pick with any of you. But, as this is post number 5,000. I'm interested to know what happens.
And the "rockets' red glare"?
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Now. With $0.89, I can get a cuppa at Bill's Diner?
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Washington - sure knew how to start a fight and his little affair at Jumonville Glen threw the world into a state of war. Still, that he held the US Army together with shoestrings is testimony to his leadership. That he refused to ascend to the throne is evidence of his nobility.
Jefferson - Glad he's no union activist but that dude can write. Certainly he's tainted (owned slaves, took sexual advantages of Sally), but so did George (in respects to owning slaves). It's an abhorence to us today but quite acceptable back then so I really don't want to apply our 21st Century values onto 18th Century men.
Lincoln - Second on to Washington in greatness. As an amateur soldier, he had quite an excellent grasp of strategy which was better than many of his West Point trained generals. Gifted with a brilliant legal mind, he exercised great humility and humanity in office. OK, so he trampled on Civil Rights and the ACLU would have his head on a plate today. His was a nation at war and he did what was necessary to preserve the Union. We entered the war as Virginians, Vermonters, Texans and New Yorkers and emerged from the inferno as Americans.
Ike - A man of the sword who detested war. He only went to West Point because his application to Annapolis was refused. Besides, he wanted to play football and get a free education. While learning from MacArthur how to put on a show, Ike was free from the "fluff" and show that MacArthur was obsessed with. Ike never forgot that it wasn't soldiers he was sending into battle but husbands, sons, nephews, brothers, uncles, cousins and fathers. He led the Allied Forces to victory in Europe and crushed one of the most evil governments of the century.
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