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Posted on 07/04/2007 5:51:00 AM PDT by Pharmboy
The following is my take—in order of importance—on our Founders. For my purpose here I looked at a combination of several things, but most important, the following two: intellectual and fighting contributions, e.g., how much support did an individual Founder supply at various pre-war conventions, as a pamphleteer or at the Constitutional Convention, and, how much did he risk his life on the battlefield?
I do this to learn (from fellow Freepers) as much as to hear myself talk. I am an amateur on the RevWar and George Washington, and would welcome corrections, additions, whom you think should be deleted, how the order might change, etc. Also, involve your high school and/or college kids who are interested in American history—I would like to hear what they have to say as well.
One final note: as a Washingtonian, I do NOT like Thomas Jefferson. However, he is on the list since I tried to keep my personal prejudices at bay.
I hope you enjoy this exercise.
1) George Washington. What can one say about The General? He was the true, single, indispensable man of the Revolution. The reason he wasn’t in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence (DOI) was that he was in NYC with the army preparing for the inevitable Brit assault. A leader in the largest colony, he was a great judge of men and learned from people like George Mason. He was fearless on the battlefield. He sheathed his sword and left for the farm after the war and walked away from the presidency later and again went back to his beloved Martha and Mount Vernon. Few people could say goodbye to power as he did. This country was founded on the character of General Washington. Signer: Constitution
2) John Adams. Dedicated to the Revolution from early on. Brilliant and skilled in diplomacy—both here and abroad. Nominated The General for Command-in-Chief during the Continental Congress, and this was a stroke of genius for many reasons, not the least being that the key representative of the most important northern colony (MA) nominated a key delegate from the most important southern colony (VA). Adams also played an essential role for the DOI in that he was the second best vote getter elected to the committee (Jefferson beat him by a single vote) and argued passionately for its adoption. Signer: DOI
3)Ben Franklin. If The General was the Father of this Country, then Ben Franklin was its Grandfather. He was wise, dedicated to liberty and a great inspiration throughout the ordeal of the RevWar. His personal charm worked wonders for the fledgling republic on the European Continent. He was the equivalent of a modern rock star in France when he lived there. It was said that there was no house in Paris at the time that was without a small portrait of Franklin on the fireplace mantle. Signer: DOI and Constitution
4) Alexander Hamilton. Brilliant, Caribbean-born, orphaned as a youngster, Alex came to NYC in 1772 and immediately became passionate about liberty. Started the NY Artillery Regiment (the only military unit from the RevWar to have a present-day remnant) while a student at King’s College (Columbia), he proved himself fearless in battle. A key aide de camp for The General, he wrote many of the dispatches and general orders. He was honored by The General at Yorktown when given the most dangerous position to advance. Wrote most of the Federalist Papers and set up the early engine of the American economy as our first Secretary of the Treasury. It has been said that he would have been the only Founder with a 1600 on the SAT. Signer: Constitution
5) Thomas Jefferson. Brilliant and fiercely dedicated to liberty, Thom definitely had a way with a phrase. He was 32 y/o when appointed chair of the DOI committee. Although he borrowed from previous documents for the DOI, and a few changes were suggested by Franklin and Adams, all agreed that it was largely his document. For that alone he deserves a place here. His vision for America as an agrarian republic contrasted with his Federalist rival just above, and they compromised at a dinner in Thom’s flat on Maiden Lane in NYC on the Federal assumption of war debt and the removal of the capital from NYC. The connections he made in Europe were also important in early American diplomacy. Signer: DOI
6) Patrick Henry. Observing Henry in his twenties, no one would have predicted the key role he would play in the politics of Virginia and ultimately, the early republic. He was a layabout, hanging out in his father-in-law’s tavern with little ambition. He changed, studied law, and was elected to the House of Burgesses. He became THE eloquent spokesman and driver of the concept of liberty in our largest colony. It was his misgivings (along with George Mason) about the Constitution that gave us our precious Bill of Rights protecting state and individual rights. Non-signer.
7) George Mason. Wealthy Virginia planter whose intellect played a large part in the foundation of this great country’s ideals. Wrote the Fairfax Resolves (which supported the Bostonians against the Brit’s Boston Port Act); wrote Virginia’s Declaration of Rights and much of the commonwealth’s constitution. These documents formed the basis for the DOI and the Bill of Rights (BoR). Was an active delegate to the Constitutional Convention but refused to sign. Fought for state’s rights and was largely responsible for the BoR. Also argued for the independence (from the Feds) of the state judiciary. Non-signer.
8) Sam Adams. An early firebrand, he was a brilliant orator much loved by the citizens of Boston (one might say that he was Massachusetts’ Patrick Henry or that Henry was Virginia’s Sam Adams). He saw early on that the course the colonies were on would lead to bloodshed. A poor man (business did not interest him, and whenever he attempted trade he went bust), the Brits tried to bribe him into keeping quiet. No chance for that since he—like the rest of the Founders—was a man of enormous integrity.
9) Roger Sherman. Connecticut lawyer. Attended every congress, before, during and after the War. His wisdom played a large role in guiding these congresses. He was known for the following: common sense, integrity and piety, and these traits played a significant part in the formation and direction of this country. Signer: the only triple signer—DOI, Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
10) Daniel Morgan. Allow this man to stand for all the fighting men of the RevWar. He was uneducated, big, tough as nails and loved to fight, drink and gamble. He was a good ole boy, a redneck, an “over-mountain man” and if alive today would probably not miss a NASCAR event. Born in Hunterdon County, NJ, he walked away from home at the age of 16 after a fight with his father. He kept walking until he hit the Virginia frontier. He first met George Washington during the Massacre on the Monongahela during the French and Indian War (he was a teamster), and led the Virginia Riflemen during the RevWar. He and his men played a key role in several battles, not the least of which was the victory at Saratoga. This Bud’s for you, General Morgan.
The Washington Family Crest
The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list
Freepmail me to get on or off this list
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson,
Ben Franklin
Abe Lincoln
Ronald Reagan
Teddy Roosevelt
George Washington
Thomas Edison
John Ford
I leave the last one blank, you can add your own to the list.
Well, that’s beyond the Founders, but no problem. Not a bad list. And, did you mean John Ford or Henry Ford?
No James Madison?
}:-)4
Thanks for the correction--that was a bad omission on my part. Duh.
Thought so, but just wanted to double-check. I am a John Ford fan myself.
Music = Arnold Copeland
Art = Winslow Homer
Author = Mark Twain, Edgar Alan Poe
Film = It's A Wonderful Life.
Director = John Ford
Scientist = Thomas A Edison
Military Leader = Robert E Lee. (Yes I know he lead the confederates, but he was offered the position by Lincoln and turned it down.
Were I making such a list, I think that Robert Morris, Francis Marion, and the Marquis de Lafayette would likely find slots as among the most important men in our revolution.
Music = Arnold Copeland S/B Aaron Copeland
All great choices. The Swampfox sure gave them Brits plenty of headaches...and money and foreign support were certainly key ingredients in our ultimate victory.
Any list of ten will leave too many important contributors out. Even with a list of 50 or 100 you’re going to miss people who played important roles.
Agreed...I merely thought that it would be enjoyable and that I would learn a bit more about the Founders and what Freepers think is important to them.
“...I love Appalachian Spring.”
Me too...I have a recording of it with Copeland conducting the London Symphony Orchestra...it’s on my playlist for this evening’s cook-out.
Great stuff!
Adding number 10 was a nice touch.
Happy Fourth!
Sam Adams & Daniel Morgan were revolutionaries, but I wouldn’t consider them to be founders. You Daniel Morgan in your list to represent everyman, which is appropriate IMO.
If I was going to name a single revolutionary, I’d have to go with Thomas Paine. There were over a million copies of his book, “Common Sense” circulating in the colonies. He provided the rational to throw off monarchy & his reach was wider than the best of the revolutionary orators. Course, his character later came into question, but that’s another story.
Thanks! Your opinion is always appreciated...
You say that like it's a bad thing....
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