Self-Government, the American Theme: Presidents of the Founding and Civil War
Lexington Books, Oct 20, 2005 - 285 pages
Americans introduced themselves to the world by declaring their independence. They recognized that their "unalienable rights" were secured by institutionalized government that derives its just powers from the consent of the governed. In Self-Government, The American Theme, Will Morrisey defines the concept of self-government and tracks its permutations in the ardent writings of key American presidents. He shows how the transition to a more powerful national state was managed on political soil where "self-government" was not an indigenous crop. Morrisey considers the genesis of "self-government" in the political thought of the founding U.S. presidents, comparing their understanding of the term with that of President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate States of America President, Jefferson Davis. In this text Morrisey aptly demonstrates how the regime of the founders was replaced by a much more statist regime during the Civil War. He offers salient interpretations of the writings of the key presidents of founding and civil war periods, and interpretations centered on the key word, "self-government". This book is an essential contribution to the understanding of early American history and politics.
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Adams Address American aristocratic army attempt August authority Basler become believe blacks Boyd called chapter character Christian citizens civil common Confederate Congress Constitution CWGW Davis December defend democratic economy equal establish example executive exercise federal force Ford foreign founders founding George give happiness House human independence individual institutions interests internal James January Jefferson July labor less Letter to John liberty Lincoln living majority March matter means ment military mind monarchic moral natural right never October opinion party passions peace political popular practice president principles reason regarded regime Representatives republic republican requires respect rule secure seen self-government self-mastery Senate sense September slavery slaves social society soul southern sovereignty Speech spirit territories thing Thomas thought tion Union United virtue wanted Washington whites
Page 12 - All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God.