Reflections from Past Presidents

Election Ballot from the Peoples' Party Era

 In the previous 3 posts, I have shared the actions of past presidents.  Now, with some Americans having already voted and the rest of us soon to do so, I will share a few comments of past Presidents...worthy words for reflection as we make our election choices.

George Washington:  "Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

John Adams:  Speaking from the White House:  "May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."

John Quincy Adams:  "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." 

Benjamin Harrison:  "The disfranchisement of a single elector by fraud or intimidation is a crime too grave to be regarded lightly."

Herbert Hoover:  "A splendid storehouse of integrity and freedom has been bequeathed to us by our forefathers.  In this day of confusion, of peril to liberty, our high duty is to see that the storehouse is not robbed of it contents."  

Harry S. Truman:  "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

John F. Kennedy:  "If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."  

Gerald Ford:  "Truth is the glue that holds governments together."

Bill Clinton:  "We need a spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together.  If we have no sense of community, the American dream will wither."

    Before voting, I decided to do something I had never done...I made a list of what I think is important in our leaders.  The following are my thoughts:

1.  Personal Integrity

2.  Knowledge of and respect for the Constitution

3.  Knowledge of History--both American and World

4.  Service, such as Military, offices held, whether national, state, or local offices

5.  Education, whether university or reading history, biographies, or other means of learning, such as travel or attending lectures

6. A respectful demeaner

7.  Experience in working with and meeting others, whose lives and Experiences may be different from his or her own.

8.  Observing the people with whom he or she surrounds him or herself

9.  Life Experiences

10.  How he or she expresses him or her self; communication skills

11.  A demeaner of dignity balanced with humility, a respect for others

12.  A sense of service to the Nation, a respect for the privilege of serving the Nation and its People.

I did not realize until I have finished my list of things important to me about the person for whom I would vote that I had included nothing about particular things that I regard as important, and I certainly have my opinions about specific issues.  However, I put more faith in matters of character and wisdom than in my own personal checklist of things I believe should be done.  

Although I had never made such a list before, I found it interesting.  If you are still sitting on the fence about your choices, you might make a list of what is most important to you.  Each of us make a difference.  Vote.

What did Presidents Say? #3

 

    In his Inaugural Address, President Ronald Reagan spoke of the importance of the orderly transfer of authority as called for in our Constitution.  Perhaps few of us then stop to think how unique we really are.  In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.    

 Reagan continued, "Mr. President, I want our fellow citizens to know how much you did to carry on this tradition.  By your gracious cooperation in the transition process, you have shown a watching world that we are a united people which guarantees individual liberty to a greater degree than any other, and I thank you and your people for all your help in maintaining the continuity which is the bulwark of our republic." 

What many may have forgotten and perhaps more have never known is that rumors still exist that the amazing release of American prisoners, which President Carter had struggled to achieve, was surprisingly accomplished moments after Reagan was sworn into office.  How that happened isn't the point in this blog.  The far more important thing that we know is that both men moved on to do what was best for the Nation.  Whatever background negotiations did or did not occur, both presidents worked together to achieve a peaceful transition of power, not only assisting as Reagan acknowledged but also publicly shaking hands and appearing at the traditional ceremony.

    It may come as a surprise to many Americans to learn that in the past there was less hurry to get the newly elected Presidents into office than there is today.  It was not until 1933 that the 20th amendment moved the ending of the terms of office from March to January.  In addition, it was The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 that provided mechanisms to facilitate an orderly and peaceful transition of power.

Today major-party presidential candidates receive national security briefings once their nomination is formalized by their party.  Just after the presidential election the president elect is informed of the lists of over 9,000 federal civil service leadership and support political appointment positions to review, and fill or confirm.  Normally, there are Transition Teams who begin vetting positions to fill the new administration.  For those of us who have never come near such an overwhelming task, it is hard to imagine, even with the cooperation of both the outgoing and the incoming Presidents and their staff working together.  Yet, for the good of the nation, most Presidents put their own feelings aside and do what is best for the nation.  To fail to do so jeopardizes all of us.

    Let me share another example of someone who did what he thought was right.  Some of you may remember the hanging-chad problem of 2000.   The outcome of the election came down to one state's election results, where the accuracy of the vote count was uncertain.  In addition to the confusing alignment of where to punch your vote, the Florida "butterfly ballot" also sometimes failed to clearly function, leaving those counting votes to "guess" what was an intended punch. Perhaps complicating it even more were the number of candidates on the ballots, a total of 10, although only two were close. 

Florida butterfly ballot

To make it worse, in terms of "how things looked" was the fact that one of the candidates was the son of a former President and the brother of the state's Governor with the hanging-chad problem,  To cap that off, the Secretary of State who certified the winner was that candidate's co-chair of his campaign.  Those things made it even more difficult not to question the potential bias in the counting.

When the Secretary of State announced the victor, the Democrats sued for a recount.  The circuit court ruled against the recount, but the Florida Supreme Court reversed, agreeing to the need for a recount.  Ultimately, it went to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it was decided on a 5-4 vote, that any other means of a recount could not be decided in a timely manner.  Although the Supreme Court did not decide the election directly, it did so indirectly, by ruling there was no time for a recount.  The fact that the vote was decided on party lines--the 5 republican appointees majority deciding the case, with the 4 democrat appointees in the minority, making it seem that there was a political bias, whether there was or not.  

Yet, Al Gore honored the court's decision, setting an example to the nation.  As a further act to maintain acceptance, both the out-going Vice-President Gore and the out-going President Clinton attended the inaugural ceremony, publicly acknowledging the authenticity of the new president and vice president.  American citizens accepted the Supreme Court's decision, not necessarily because they liked it or agreed with it, or even thought it was right but because we are a nation of laws, and by example both outgoing President Clinton and Democratic nominee and Vice-President Gore set the example of how our democracy works.   

Most, although not all presidents, not only accept the outcome but also participate in the smooth transition from one president to the newly elected president not only because a lack of a smooth transition puts the safety of the nation at risk but also because they respect the Constitution. Being chosen as president is a responsibility, not a gift.  Under our constitution it is a responsibility to all of us as well, to accept the rule of law.  Yes, there have been a few poor Losers in our history who have avoided the swearing-in but most have honored that responsibility.  As Lincoln said, "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, is the momentous issue...We are not enemies, but friends.  We must not be enemies.  Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection."  Our Constitution will endure, but we the people have the responsibility to protect and defend it from harm, foreign or domestic.  That is what we must all remember.  

If you would like to share the research I have done in preparing the 3 blogs "What did Presidents Say? feel free to share them.  

    

What did Past Presidents Say, #2.

 

    Imagine the challenge Abraham Lincoln faced.  He was elected in November of 1860. but before he could take office seven Southern States had seceded from the Union.  In March, after he was inaugurated, four more left the Union. Preparing what to say at his 1st Inaugural Address was something no other elected president had faced.  

He began by reminding Americans that "...the Constitution of the Union of these States is perpetual..."  Think about that.  To be perpetual is to be everlasting, continuing forever, valid for all time.  Yet, seven states had seceded, and more were expected to do so.  

Having chosen to begin by reminding the nation that the Constitution of the Union of these States is perpetual, he continued.  "It is safe to assert that no government proper ever had a provision in its organic law for its own termination.  ...the Union will endure forever, it being impossible to destroy it by some action not provided for in the instrument itself."  

He continued, "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war.  The Government will not assail you.  You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors.  You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to 'preserve, protect, and defend it.'"

Concluding, Lincoln said, "I am loath to close.  We are not enemies, but friends.  We must not be enemies.  Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.  The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

If there are words more capable of touching hearts and causing reflection, I cannot imagine what those words would be.  Yet, we know that Lincoln's words were not enough to stop the Civil War.  We must hope that if such a time were ever to come again, that Lincoln's words, together with the wisdom to be learned from history, could stop an assault on our Constitution, a betrayal of the perpetual promise of America.  

President Lincoln was a victim of that war, as surely as were the soldiers who fought in the battles of the Civil War.  He gave everything he had to give, including his life.  

    Generations later another president was still fighting for the full rights for Black Americans, and his name was Lyndon B. Johnson.  In March of 1965, President Johnson spoke these words:  "This is one nation.  What happens in Selma or in Cincinnati is a matter of legitimate concern to every American.  But let each of us look within our own hearts and our own communities, and let each of us put our shoulder to the wheel to root out injustice wherever it exists."

    Neither of these two men fully succeeded in accomplishing what they wanted to do, but they tried, and they believed in us to preserve and protect our union, to make sure that in our generation we respected that our union is perpetual.  

What did Past Presidents Say? #1

  

  With Election Day drawing closer, I thought it might be interesting to explore what some of our past Presidents had to say.  It seems appropriate to begin with our first president, George Washington, who was concerned enough by what he called "The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party" to sound a warning in his Farewell Address.  The following quote explains the concerns Washington had about the dangers of Americans adhering too closely to political parties rather than judging for themselves after careful consideration.   

Washington warned:  "It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; ferments occasionally riot and insurrection.  It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passion.  ...A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest instead of warning, it should consume."

From the time of Washington's presidency to the present, political parties have come and gone, but the power and influence of political parties have remained.  His words continue to deserve consideration. 

    We sometimes forget the bravery of our founding fathers, who literally risked their lives to establish the federal government of the United States of America, and the Constitution that has guided our nation.  One of those men was John Langdon of New Hampshire.  James Madison described Langdon as "a true patriot and a good man, with a noble way of thinking and a frankness and warmth of heart that made his friends love him much, as it did me in a high degree."  While many of us may not recognize his name, his generosity and wisdom have played an important role in the founding of our nation.  He served his state of New Hampshire in many roles, but his words are important in considering the importance of the roles played by both states and our nation.  John Langdon said:  "The General and State Governments are not enemies to each other, but different institutions for the good of the people of America.  As one of the people, I can say the National Government is mine, the State Government is mine.  In transferring power from one to the other, I only take out of my left hand what it cannot so well use, and put it into my right hand where it can be better used."

    I find it very important to reflect on the amazing courage and wisdom of our founding fathers.  On June 19, 2024, I shared A Patriate Sometimes Overlooked, describing the role played by John Marshall in shaping our Supreme Court.  You might enjoy scrolling back to that post. 

    Next week I will post thoughts from other past presidents.   

        

What is Education?

A Sod School House

 My great grandmother, Susan Beck, was the first country schoolteacher in the community where I grew up.  She had taught school before coming to Kansas, and when neighbors learned that there was a teacher in the community, they asked her to teach their children.  She had two young children, so she felt that was the most important responsibility for her, but as soon as her children were old enough to be brought to school with her, she agreed to begin teaching, although they were still quite young.  The neighbors were so excited to have a schoolteacher, that they built a sod school!  This picture is not of her school; however, there were many communities that built sod schools, just happy that their children could have an education.  

I find myself wondering about education today.  My family has a history of teaching.  Susan's daughter became a teacher, and her nieces followed in her footsteps, as did my generation and the generation that followed.  I am sure that is true of many families.

I have blogged before about my concerns of education today.  Frankly, I disagree with the notion that every child deserves a trophy.  Part of learning is being taught to do your best, but also to realize that all of us are given different skills.  Pretending that everyone is deserving of a trophy is a disincentive, both to the ones who deserved it and to the students who are taught to expect a reward for undeserved recognition.  Sometimes it becomes an excuse for not giving those who need help the extra attention they need.  Sometimes it creates resentment when they leave school and aren't given the jobs they have been misled to believe they could do.  Students need help when their work is not at the level it should be, not a false sense of achievement.  And, students with a "big head" need lessons in such things as empathy, respect, courtesy to value others, with different skills, for which trophies may not be given. 

This blog was inspired by a quote from Theodore Roosevelt.  He said, "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to Society."

I taught elementary, high school, and graduate school levels, but I have not taught since the internet existed, and I realize that the world has changed.  What a wonderful tool that is, but what negative risks it has also delivered.  

I went in search of quotes about education, and I found many encouraging its importance. However, I found far fewer about the importance of good character and respect for others as an important part of a successful education.   I will close with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.  "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.  Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education."