![]() Exactly one month later, he was dead, supposedly from a case of pneumonia that he caught at the event. On March 4, 1841, William Henry Harrison gave a nearly two-hour-long inauguration address without wearing a coat, a hat, or gloves. Portrait of William Henry Harrison by James Reid Lambdin. Misconception: James Monroe was the mastermind behind the Monroe Doctrine. ![]() As he said to Congress in 1789, after the Constitution had gone into effect but before some of the individual states had ratified it, “I think we should obtain the confidence of our fellow citizens, in proportion as we fortify the rights of the people against the encroachments of the government.” 5. When pro-Constitution Federalists agreed to eventually pass a Bill of Rights, Madison wrote that “the amendments are a blemish,” but noted it was “the least offensive form.”Įventually, because of ideological evolution, political expediency, or some combination thereof, Madison became a staunch supporter of the Bill of Rights. Choosing to proactively assert some rights might muddy the waters, they argued. ![]() Some felt that defining individual rights didn’t make sense for a government based on enumerated powers-by definition, the thinking went, any power not granted to the government in the Constitution belonged to the people. Bill of Rights into law, was initially against it. Even James Madison, the man who would eventually shepherd the U.S. But when George Mason first proposed a Bill of Rights at the Constitutional Convention, it was unanimously voted down. The right to peaceably assemble, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, the assurance that you won’t have to become an unwilling Airbnb host for soldiers-the Bill of Rights has some bangers. Misconception: Thomas Jefferson introduced ice cream to the U.S. So did the title “ His Rotundity,” which is what people nicknamed Adams when he said he wanted to call the president “His Majesty.” 3. Adams lost his bid for reelection that year, and his largely propagandized affinity for the monarchy became part of his legacy. Jefferson’s camp even spread a rumor that Adams wanted his son to marry King George III’s daughter so they could start a British-American dynasty. When the two ran against each other for president in 1800, Adams was depicted as a raging monarchist. He just wasn’t as democratic-minded as Thomas Jefferson. In practice, however, Adams was a Federalist who staunchly believed in a republic. But that was partially because he was worried America might otherwise be susceptible to anarchy in the vein of the French Revolution. John Adams did argue that everyone should call George Washington “His Majesty, the President” or “His Highness, the President.” But that was mainly because he thought the office should have a title that elevated it above the presidents of random clubs and other organizations.Īnd he was sort of an elitist who favored a strong central government and wasn’t keen on majority rule. Misconception: John Adams was a monarchist. It’s also suspicious that Weems failed to mention such a compelling tale in any of his first four editions-plus, he was known to sometimes play it fast and loose with facts about Washington. Though Weems credits the story to an old family friend of the Washingtons, there’s no evidence to suggest this story ever actually happened. Such an act of heroism in my son is more worth than a thousand trees, though blossomed with silver, and their fruits of purest gold.” George’s father is so proud of his son for telling the truth that he then says this: “Glad am I, George, that you … killed my tree for you have paid me for it a thousand fold. He confesses the crime to his father, crying out, “I can’t tell a lie, Pa you know I can’t tell a lie.” In the book, 6-year-old George mutilates a cherry tree with his beloved hatchet (though he doesn’t cut it down, per se). ![]() The anecdote first showed up 1806, in the fifth edition of Washington’s biography The Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington by Mason Locke Weems. The tale has been told for centuries to illustrate that our first president always had an unshakeable moral compass. We’ve all heard the story about George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and then fessing up because he just couldn’t bring himself to lie. Misconception: George Washington chopped down a cherry tree-then confessed. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |