(Oh my gosh, I haven't updated this blog in two months??)
Today -- January 11 -- Alexander Hamilton was born. Based on his own claim that he was born in 1757, today marks his two hundred and fifty-second birthday! Huzzah!
Although born over 200 years ago, his wise words speak directly to us today. Here is a little video I made last year, as a creative way to share some of those wise words. How Americans will need to heed them today!
P.S. I sincerely apologize for my tardiness in posting the second installment of my critique of Hamilton's Curse, by Thomas DiLorenzo. Progress on it is doing well, but it has required much note-taking and organizing. I hope to add it to this blog very, very soon. Please stay tuned!
17 Comments:
You have been very bad, not updating this blog! tsk tsk! ;)
I really like the video! Excellent job. :) make some more!
That's a way cool video, Herky! Thanks for posting it. And I agree with Mrs. M. - make some more!
There are probably a lot more video-watchers out there than readers. :)
Yes, Mrs. M. I confess; a very bad blogger. :(
I'm glad you liked the video! I plan to make more indeed. Since the time I made this, I think I've learned a little bit more about the art of computer-movie editing.
Last year, I started a movie about the history of the duel, but ... maybe I should have mercy on my viewers ... I don't know if they can get through it without soaking their computers.
Well, I definitely will be making more.
Thanks for reading and leaving your comment. :) And I PROMISE I will add a post to this blog soon.
Oh hello Jean. I published my comment without noticing you left yours!
I'm glad you enjoyed my video! And as I promised, I will make more. Unfortunately, you are right; many more watch videos than take the time to read. Oh well.
Thanks again for reading, and leaving your comments.
Herky,
I'm experiencing some loading problems of late; further, I'm not sure if this comment will ever make it, but I sure hope it does.
Not only a 'Colonial' scholar, all things Alexander Hamilton, a direct descendent of H. Mulligan, but you are a film maker as well!
I absolutely love what you've done! My only remorse is that it's not in a widget on the front page of all of your blogs!
Bbrraavvoo! [crowd whistling] Bravo! [Louder] Simply brilliant!
Cheers mate,
jon-paul
Yes, Jon, your comment made it! Congrats, and thank you!
Really, you are too kind; but thank you. I'm glad you liked it. Only, I'm not a direct descendant of Hercules Mulligan (at least, not that I know of) -- only one of his admirers. :)
Now, making a video into a widget is an idea ... I actually think it's possible. Thanks for the idea! I will do that!
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for reading a leaving your comment.
Cheers back to you, mate. :)
Herky,
Always my pleasure to participate—as stated so in my writings; as for me, I have longed for the opportunity to expand my knowledge vis-a-vie the Age of Enlightenment, especially the Colonial Era in fact I've told many friends if I were to get another doctorate degree it would have to have focus and emphasis on early America, or become a constitutional scholar.
I have been looking at your previous comments primarily the one that addresses the cataloging or indexing of the FFQF's. I am in a pre-planning phase at present and I agree with you wholeheartedly inasmuch as I feel it would make a tremendous resource for every American, as well as those wanting to become American.
Thank you so much for the lovely words regarding my submission this week. I totally enjoyed your comments, moreover, your insights into the differences in human behavior from then until now. Whew! Is that every a smoking gun! I have been arguing from 'our' perspective for years now; albeit, the centrality of arguments and positions that I hear from the opposing side is…."Oh they had it so much easier back then…or, life is so much tougher on our youth these days than before…"
I'll be forthcoming in my debates addressing various opponents, sides, or whoever wants to try and prove their case. In the interim what really jumped out at me was "accomplishment and purpose" which I agree with you. This is one of the areas I write about perhaps more than any other issue. Today's youth does not feel the need, moreover, the motivation to accomplish even as we did a decade, generation, or certainly a century ago.
The travesty of that particular issue is this next generation about to be crowned or named. Did you realize that it will be the first generation in American history that will not be contributing to the overall welfare of the country? Why? They feel as though they don't need too. Additionally, why should they, everything else they have has been given to them—except of course—the smaller and less significant 'sports camps' they may attend.
Hello Jon-Paul. It's always good to hear from you. I like discussing these subjects with like-minded people (but that is not to say that I don't like debate :D ).
I find your remarks that the next generation will probably not be contributing to the overall welfare of the country, because they do not feel the need to, interesting. I think another part of it is, they have their priorities wrong. I hear of many people who want to contribute, or who believe they are, but our public "education" has so brainwashed our people that they don't realize. And even those contributions -- it's not like we sacrifice our health, our comfort, our finances, etc etc to accomplish those ends. Those who preceded us did.
Oh, one more thing. I do believe that there will be some happy exceptions to the "no-priorities" generation: those who serve as missionaries and ministers of the Gospel. I think that while the world is failing to produce a generation of Mozart's, of Isaac Newton's, of John Adams', etc., God is raising up for Himself a generation of those who will brave the last days of tribulation -- those whose just reward will be crowns of righteousness, and thrones. So, there is a bright side to the equation. But it is a sad thing that many of the world's children will be ill-prepared for the calamity to come.
As always, thanks for your comments. Have a blessed weekend.
Hey Herc,
Look what I found! What does he mean by: a thousand causes must obstruct....?
"It is a miracle that we are now here, exercising our tranquil and free deliberations on the subject. It would be madness to trust to future miracles. A thousand causes must obstruct a reproduction of them.:
HAMILTON, JOURNAL OF THE CONVENTION, JUNE 29, 1787. DOES HE MEAN DIVINE INTERVENTION IS ALL THAT CAN OBSTRUCT THESE MIRACLES?
Here's another one!
But upon what principle is the discrimination of the places of election to be made, in order to answer the purpose of the mediated preference? Are the wealthy and the well-born, as they are called, confined to particular spots in the several States? Have they, by some miraculous instinct or foresight, set apart in each of them a common place of residence?
NUMBER 60
THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED
[Alexander Hamilton]
hamilton is affirming a miraculous instinct? Like someone divine?
Hello OFT. Good to hear from you again.
In the two quotes you presented, I don't think Hamilton is talking about the miraculous, per se, here.
Take the first quote. Basically, he was saying, "It's a miracle that we actually get to have a Convention here and now! The opposition to the revision or rewriting of the Articles of Confederation has been so strong, that we should seize the opportunity to make the most of this occasion. After all, since the opposition is still strong, we may not be able to meet like this ever again."
The "thousand causes" which would possibly obstruct the "miracle" of meeting in convention for the purpose of revising the Articles would not be divine intervention, but the opposite: civil unrest, the selfish interests of the state and local governments, etc.
So, he wasn't talking about the miraculous, per se.
As to the second quote, his use of the term "miraculous" is quite similar. He is not discussing the miraculous, or affirming his belief in the supernatural, but is rather using that term as a figure of speech.
He is not saying that the "rich and well-born" have a "miraculous instinct." He is implying the contrary, in a similar way as you and I would imply that life was NOT created by chance when we say, "So how did life get here? Did tiny little proteins and amino acids miraculously jump together, sparked by lightning, and create life?" The implied answer would be, "Of course not. How ridiculous."
I hope that helps. :)
If you are looking for Hamilton's views on the miraculous, a word search for "Providence" through his writings might help. If I come across anything else, I'll let you know.
God bless.
"Herky"
Thanks for the info Herc. If I find anything else, I will let you know.
God Bless
What a great site!
May God bless your hard work in compiling all of this information.
Welcome to my blog, sir. Thank you for your kind words! I hope you will consider revisiting. :)
Has the video been removed? Would like to see it Herc.
My apologies for the broken code. It is fixed now. The video is very simplistic, but I hope you enjoy. :)
Alexander Hamilton was a favorite of the Federalist in Salem. In fact they gave him a hall dedicated to him utilized by Charles Lenox Remond to move gentlemen through the Underground Railroad.
For more on the Federalist in the richest seaport in the country at the time read Salem Secret Underground:The History of the Tunnels in the City.
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