‘Democratic Thinker’ Archives
Laus Deo!—December 18, 1865
Laus Deo! Upon hearing the bells ring on the passage of the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. ————— IT is done! Clang of bell and roar of gun Send the tidings up and down. How the belfries rock and reel! How the great guns, peal on peal, Fling the joy from town to town! Ring, O bells! Every stroke exulting [...]
John Adams—What Was the Revolution?
American Correspondence Following his presidency, John Adams—in a letter to Baltimore publisher, Hezikiah Niles—recalls the events surrounding the American Revolution. But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American War? The revolution was effected before the war commenced. The revolution was in the minds and hearts [...]
Samuel Adams to The Sons of Liberty—Repeal of the Stamp Act
American Correspondence In 1769—on the third anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp Act—Samuel Adams composes a letter to his fellow Sons of Liberty reminding them of the purposes of the act and that the struggle against Great Britain's attempts to tax the colonies continues. Although the people of Great Britain be only fellow-subjects, [...]
November Eleventh
Armistice Day, November 11, 1918. November Eleventh. WE stood up and we didn’t say a word, It felt just like when you have dropped your pack After a hike, and straightened out your back And seem just twice as light as any bird. We stood up straight and, God! but it was good! When you have crouched like that for [...]
Commentary—Reynolds on Second Amendment Penumbras
Democratic Thinker, American Thought DISCLAIMER: Democratic Thinker is a member of the National Rifle Association and supports the right of all citizens to defend themselves during all lawful activities anywhere they find themselves; be it public places, highways and byways, business establishments, churches, schools, etc. I believe in the [...]
How Old Brown Took Harper’s Ferry—October 16, 1859
Democratic Thinker, American History How Old Brown Took Harper’s Ferry. ————— JOHN BROWN in Kansas settled, like a steadfast Yankee farmer, Brave and godly, with four sons, all stalwart men of might. There he spoke aloud for freedom, and the Border-strife grew warmer, Till the Rangers fired his dwelling, in his absence, in the [...]
Franklin—The Price of Corn
Democratic Thinker, American Thought While in England prior to the Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, writing under to pseudonym Arator, favors farmers being abused by the newspapers and mobbed by the public. His economic principles mirror those observed some years later by Adam Smith in the Wealth of Nations. In my youth I travelled much; and I [...]
Weekly Story: Border Justice
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story T.A. McNeal—early Kansas newspaper man—relates a story of early day Medicine Lodge, Kansas. A Border Justice. ————— WHEN the town of Medicine Lodge had achieved a population of two hundred and fifty, some of the enterprising citizens decided that it ought to be incorporated. They argued [...]
Weekly Story: If You Don’t Stand Up For Yourself, How Can You Stand Up For Others?
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story Abraham Lincoln left home in 1831 to work in New Salem, Illinois. The brag of Denton Offutt, his employer, that young Lincoln could “outrun, whip, or throw down any man in Sangamon county” could not go unchallenged for long. Lincoln Encounters the “Clary’s Grove Boys.” “a name and standing of [...]
Longfellow—Watchman, What Of The Night?
Democratic Thinker, American History Written For The Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Of The American Anti-Slavery Society. A QUARTER of the circling sphere Has rounded onward to the light; We see not yet the daylight clear, But we can see the paling night. And Hope that aye relumes her fires, And Faith that shines with steadfast ray, And Love [...]
Driving Home the Cows
Democratic Thinker, Driving Home the Cows OUT of the clover and blue-eyed grass He turned them into the river lane; One after another he let them pass, Then fastened the meadow bars again. Under the willows, and over the hill, He patiently followed their sober pace; The merry whistle for once was still, And something shadowed the [...]
Samuel Adams—September 27, 1722
Democratic Thinker, Samuel Adams Samuel Adams. September 27, 1722—October 2, 1803. His nature is too noble for the world: He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, Or Jove for his power to thunder.— —Shakespeare, Coriolanus, III, i. ————— SAMUEL ADAMS was the counterpart of his distinguished associate in [...]
Freedom of Speech—Samuel Adams Shouted Down
Democratic Thinker, American Debate On the evening of October 26, 1791, Samuel Adams rose to speak against repealing the prohibition of theaters in Boston. Those of the town meeting wishing the repeal refused to allow him the courtesy. Long may Americans revere the Saviours of their country, and on the records let the occasion be noted with [...]
Franklin: Freedom of the Press
Democratic Thinker, American Debate Benjamin Franklin, after the adoption of the Federal Constitution, ponders the abuse of the constitutionally protected freedom on the press. But since so much has been written and published on the federal constitution, and the necessity of checks in all other parts of good government has been so clearly [...]
David Crockett: On Superficiality
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story In 1833, writer James Strange French anonymously publishes a biography of David Crockett illustrating the Colonel’s character through one of his anecdotes. Therefore, be wide awake—look sharp—and do not let him grin you out of your votes. Sketches and Eccentricities of Col. David Crockett, of West [...]
Weekly Story: Swamp Fox for Dinner
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story Brigadier General Peter Horry reminisces about General Francis Marion. General Marion Dines With British Officer. General Marion Inviting a British Officer to Share His Dinner, J.B. White. About this time we received a flag from the enemy in Georgetown; the object of which was, to make some [...]
John Adams: Defense of the British Soldiers—II
Democratic Thinker, American Papers Following the Boston Massacre in 1770, John Adams joins in the defense of the British soldiers charged in the deaths. Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence; nor is the law less stable [...]
John Adams: Defense of the British Soldiers—I
Democratic Thinker, American Papers Following the Boston Massacre in 1770, John Adams joins in the defense of the British soldiers charged in the deaths. The rules of the common law, therefore, which authorize a man to preserve his own life at the expense of another’s, are not contradicted by any divine or moral law. We talk of liberty and [...]
Freedom Is Not Free: Put It Through!
Democratic Thinker, American History Put it Through. In the dark days of the American Civil War—when the war could have gone either way—the grand-nephew of Nathan Hale urges his fellow citizens to stay the course. ————— Tell him , when he starts, to put it through—not to be writing or telegraphing back here, but put it through. [...]
Eutaw Springs—September 8, 1781
Democratic Thinker, American History EUTAW SPRINGS. The Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, (September 8, 1781) was one of the last of the Revolution. Pronounced a British victory, the defeated Americans pursued the victors more than thirty miles—finally forcing the British out of South Carolina altogether. ————— AT Eutaw [...]
Bankers More Dangerous Than Armies
Democratic Thinker, Fiscal Responsibility Thomas Jefferson thanks John Taylor of Caroline for furnishing him a copy of his recently published treatise. Jefferson also offers, among other things, commentary on the dangers of banking and the anti-republicanism of life terms for judges. Thomas Jefferson: Letter to John Taylor Monticello, May [...]
Weekly Story: Root Hog, or Die
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story Abraham Lincoln reflects on the survival of Southerners after the Civil War—not too different from how Lincoln’s family and neighbors survived on the frontier. Excerpt from The Life and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln, Charles Maltby (1881). Lincoln, On Self Reliance. MR. Carpenter, in his [...]
Labor Day
Democratic Thinker, Labor day LABOR. ————— HO! ye who at the anvil toil And strike the sounding blow, Where from the burning iron’s breast, The sparks fly to and fro, While answering to the hammer’s ring, And fire’s intenser glow,— Oh! while ye feel ‘tis hard to toil And sweat the long day through, Remember it is [...]
Advice to the American Immigrant
Democratic Thinker, Immigration Edward A. Steiner, born in what is now the Czech Republic, shares in his memiors lessons he learned as an immigrant to America. … yet, I say it again and again, Holy America! Holy America! Advice to the Immigrant. ————— AMERICA! we were in the magic, holy land—America! I have seen this [...]
Weekly Story: Mr. Sheffelde Asks for Eggys
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story In 1490, William Caxton—England’s first printer—publishes Eneydos, in the prologue of which he relates a now well-known story of two people who speak the same language but who fail to understand each other. Mr. Sheffelde Asks for Eggys. ————— AND certaynly our langage now vsed varyeth [...]
The Old Continentals
Democratic Thinker, American Revolution The Old Continentals. Carmen Bellicosum. ————— IN their ragged regimentals Stood the old Continentals, Yielding not, When the grenadiers were lunging, And like hail fell the plunging Cannon shot; When the files Of the Isles, From the smoky night encampment bore the banner of the [...]
Free-Born John: Agreement of the People
Democratic Thinker, Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the English Civil War from a century earlier. Following the overthrow of the Royalists, the Army presented to Parliment the first ever constitution—written by John Lilburne—to limit legislative [...]
Franklin—To George Whitefield (June 6, 1753)
Democratic Thinker, American Correspondence During the Great Awakening of the Eighteenth Century, Benjamin Franklin writes to his friend, George Whitefield—religious reformer and Methodist evangelist,—on matters of faith and works. By heaven we understand a state of happiness, infinite in degree, and eternal in duration: I can do nothing [...]
Franklin: Plain Truth
Democratic Thinker, American Thought In 1747—during the troubles with France and Spain,— Benjamin Franklin publishes a tract reminding citizens of the imprudence exhibited by those accustomed to peace who do not take their security seriously. But the more insensible we generally are of public danger and indifferent when warned [...]
Weekly Story: Pompey Observes the Sabbath
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story Josephus, the First Century Jewish chronicler, relates a story in his Antiquities of the Jews wherein a Roman general uses a Jewish sect’s singular interpretation of a certain Jewish Law against them. … and had it not been our practice, from the days of our forefathers, to rest on the seventh [...]
Rush: Education in a Republic
Democratic Thinker, American Thought During 1798, Benjamin Rush—a physician and founding father from Pennsylvania—prepares several of his essays for republication as a volume—Essays, Literary, Moral and Philosophical—among them one outlining his educational philosophy. … and here I beg leave to remark, that the only [...]
Seneca—On The Blessed Life
Democratic Thinker, Western Thought The Stoic philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca—highly regarded by the early Christians—writes, for his brother Gallio, a discourse on what makes for a happy and profitable life. Human affairs are not disposed so happily that the best things please the most men. It is an argument of the worst cause when [...]
Clear the Way: Weekly Reading, by Charles MacKay
Weekly Reading, Charles MacKay _____________ Clear the Way MEN of thought! be up, and stirring Night and day: Sow the seed—withdraw the curtain— CLEAR THE WAY! Men of action, aid and cheer them, As ye may! There’s a fount about to stream, There’s a light about to beam, There’s a warmth about to glow, There’s [...]
Samuel Adams—To Richard Henry Lee (January 15, 1781)
American Correspondence, Samuel Adams In 1781, while the war was still uncertain, Samuel Adams writes to his good friend and fellow patriot encouraging him to help inattentive citizens return to the first principles of liberty. It would be indeed alarming, if the United States should ever entrust the Ship in which our all is at Stake, with [...]
Weekly Story: Josiah Henson Escapes
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story In 1876, Josiah Henson—a Methodist minister and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s model for Uncle Tom—publishes his autobiography, including his final determination to escape slavery with his wife and children. Often since that day has my soul been pierced with bitter anguish, at the thought of having been thus [...]
Samuel Adams—To James Warren (October 24, 1780)
Democratic Thinker, American Correspondence Despite the political shenanigans following the adoption of 1780 Massachusetts constitution, Samuel Adams advises his fellow patriot, James Warren, to not abandon public life. If ever the Time should come, when vain & aspiring Men shall possess the highest Seats in Government, our [...]
Bryant: Freedom to Speak
Democratic Thinker, American Debate Following the Cincinnnati Abolition Riots in 1836, William Cullen Bryant writes an editorial defending the right of all citizens to express concerns without obstruction by those of opposing views. … if they cannot put down the abolitionist press by fair means, they will do it by foul; if they cannot [...]
William Wirt: The Blind Preacher
Democratic Thinker, American Thought During the latter part of 1803, William Wirt writes a series of letter for the Virginia Argus—under the guise of British Officer—commenting on the affairs of Virginia. In one, he uses a story about a friend of his—often republished—as a foundation for remarking on the shallowness of a popular [...]
Berkeley—On Education in America
Democratic Thinker, American Thought VERSES on the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America. ————— THE Muse, disgusted at an age and clime Barren of every glorious theme, In distant lands now waits a better time, Producing subjects worthy fame: In happy climes where from the genial sun And virgin earth such [...]
To Bigotry No Sanction, To Persecution No Assistance
Democratic Thinker, Freedom of Religion George Washington replys to Moses Seisas, Warden of the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, who has welcomed him in part: “we now … behold a government erected by the Majesty Of The People,—a government which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance, but generously [...]
Seneca—On Providence
Democratic Thinker, Western Thought The Stoic philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca—highly regarded by the early Christians—writes for his friend Lucilius, a discourse on adversity and its place in the divine plan. Thou hast demanded of me, my friend Lucilius, how it should come to pass (if the world were governed by any Providence) that so [...]
Our Enemies Have Mistaken Our Peace For Cowardice
Democratic Thinker, Background of the American Revolution Thomas Paine, just prior to the Revolution, publishes an anonymous editorial in which he argues that peace without the will to defend it, is not peace but slavery. He also equates religious freedom with political freedom. I am thus far a Quaker, that I would gladly agree with all the [...]
Milton: Tenure of Kings and Magistrates
Democratic Thinker, Background of the American Revolution No one can understand the foundations of the American nation without understanding the English Civil War from a century earlier. In 1648-49, shortly after the exectution of King Charles, Puritan schoolmaster John Milton—a Cromwell advocate—publishes a small treatise justifying the [...]
Weekly Story: So Was Franklin
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story An anonymous writer in the early Ninteenth Century expands upon a chance encounter on the street. I mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely, tho’ it seems to be talking in my own praise, that those of my posterity, who shall read it, may know the use of that virtue, when they [...]
Commentary: Shepard v. Madigan
Commentary, Constitutional Law DISCLAIMER: Democratic Thinker is a member of the National Rifle Association whose dues support this lawsuit—and Democratic Thinker supports the right of all citizen to defend themselves during all lawful activities anywhere they find themselves; be it public places, highways and byways, business establishments, [...]
Samuel Adams: Whether They Will Be Freemen or Slaves?
Background of the American Revolution Prior to the Revolution, Samuel Adams, in an anonymous letter, urges his fellow countrymen to take action to recover their rights. He counsels that the crown is attempting to poison the morals of its citizens in American. The Religion and public Liberty of a People are intimately connected; their [...]
John Leland: The Rights of Conscience Inalienable
Democratic Thinker, Freedom of Religion Following the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, John Leland—a leader of the American Baptists—publishes one of his sermons arguing that, although the Constitution allows the states to establish a state religion—as some states have done,—doing so actually harms religion. It may further be [...]
Weekly Story: Pestalozzi on Superstition
Democratic Thinker, Weekly Story In 1781, Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi—a Swiss educator—publishes a popular story—widely read in the young United States—promoting his doctrine of universal education. From Ghaisties, Ghoulies, and long-leggity Beasties, And Things that go Bump in the night— Good Lord, deliver [...]
John Adams—To Abigail (July 3 [evening], 1776)
![John Adams—To Abigail (July 3 [evening], 1776)](http://www.themoralliberal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/john_adams111-150x150.jpg "John Adams—To Abigail (July 3 [evening], 1776)")
American Correspondence, Democratic Thinker John Adams writes to his wife expanding his earlier notification about a declaration agreed to by the Second Continental Congress. The second day of July, 1776, will be a memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great [...]
John Adams—To Abigail (July 3 [morning], 1776)
American Correspondence, Democratic Thinker John Adams writes to his wife telling her about a declaration agreed to by the Second Continental Congress. Yesterday, the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting [...]
