Posted on 10/01/2004 6:37:56 PM PDT by Valin
Like you, I know all about this and try to explain it here,to people who don't really know American history.
Hamilton's biography (recently out) details how personal and negative these campaigns were. My impression from the book was that the party of Jefferson (currently the Democrats) were the nastiest and most personal and I couldn't help thinking that this legacy plays out today.
to people who don't really know American history.
That would be somewhere around 80-85%.
I now when someones says they love history, ask really what have you read latly?....blank stare.
Personally I blame "history teachers". I've had some that could make anything you care to mention boring.
Unfortunately,history has always been taught badly by most teachers.
The greater legacy of the 1800 election is how it led to the ascendency of the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison.
Marbury was among the last-minute Adams' administration appointments that was not executed fully, and thus left on the incoming Sec. State's desk, Madison. Madison, of course, refused, and Marbury sued.
Marshall, who was Adams' Sec. State, who was the very one who was to have delivered Marbury's commission, and who was now Chief Justice -- appointed by Adams -- ruled that Madison was right not to deliver Marbury's appointment, but not because Madison had any right to deny Marbury, but because Marbury's case was built upon a law that was unconstitutional. It was an entirely counter-intuitive move and politically brilliant: Marshall conceded the battle to Madison and Jefferson, as regards the appointments, and stomped them silly in the war, having created the supremacy of judicial review.
Too bad our nation didn't stay in touch with the Constitution, imagine how upset they'd be if they
could see our country now!
Or that they'd be upset like this...?
Oh, boy! I'll be there with bells on! Thanks for the tip. Really great viewing.
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