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1/ An elector story.
Once upon a time, there was a very very very fraught presidential election.
An election where each side thought that the other would likely destroy the United States.
Once upon a time, there was a very very very fraught presidential election.
An election where each side thought that the other would likely destroy the United States.
2/ The presidential campaign was long and fierce. Insults. Accusations. Widespread fear that government as we knew it would collapse.
3/ At one point, one side threatened armed resistance if they didn't get their way in the presidential contest.
They explicitly threatened people in power who could ultimately push the electoral contest one way or another.
They explicitly threatened people in power who could ultimately push the electoral contest one way or another.
4/ At various points in the presidential electoral process, people with power and influence devised -- and promoted -- sketchy ploys to sway the contest their way.
Ploys dressed in the trappings of a democratic election, but violating its spirit.
Ploys dressed in the trappings of a democratic election, but violating its spirit.
5/ Many prominent members of the party in power -- accustomed to being in power, and even feeling entitled to it -- panicked.
Something must be done!
The end was nigh!
Something must be done!
The end was nigh!
6/ A particularly prominent member of the party in power even urged the governor of his state to push to change the process of choosing electors.
Some might say it was sketchy, he argued, but all people of reason would understand the need for action.
The need for action now!
Some might say it was sketchy, he argued, but all people of reason would understand the need for action.
The need for action now!
7/ The year was 1800.
The governor was John Jay of NY.
The prominent party member w/a sketchy plan was Alexander Hamilton, who insisted on an immediate change of the mode of choosing electors in NY.
[Yes, we survived. But that's NOT the lesson to draw from this. Keep reading.]
The governor was John Jay of NY.
The prominent party member w/a sketchy plan was Alexander Hamilton, who insisted on an immediate change of the mode of choosing electors in NY.
[Yes, we survived. But that's NOT the lesson to draw from this. Keep reading.]
8/ Hamilton knew his plan was sketchy. (Such a wonderfully descriptive word. "Sketchy." So apt sometimes in political showdowns)
But to him, "the extraordinary nature of the crisis" justified extreme actions
Otherwise, "an Athiest in Religion & a Fanatic in Politics" would win
But to him, "the extraordinary nature of the crisis" justified extreme actions
Otherwise, "an Athiest in Religion & a Fanatic in Politics" would win
9/ "The reasonable part of the world will I believe approve it," Hamilton wrote of his plan. They'll "see it as proceeding out of the common course but warranted by the particular nature of the Crisis and the great cause of social order."
10/ But Jay didn't act on Hamilton's plan.
Why?
HERE'S the point that I want to make.
Jay -- a member of the party then in power (the Federalists) -- did NOT accept Hamilton's sketchy plan -- for a very clear reason....
Why?
HERE'S the point that I want to make.
Jay -- a member of the party then in power (the Federalists) -- did NOT accept Hamilton's sketchy plan -- for a very clear reason....
11/ Jay recorded his objection to Hamilton's plan at the bottom of Hamilton's letter.
"Proposing a measure for party purposes wh[ich] I think it wd. not become me to adopt."
Governor Jay rejected Hamilton's plan because it was SO OBVIOUSLY a plan to promote the Federalist Party
"Proposing a measure for party purposes wh[ich] I think it wd. not become me to adopt."
Governor Jay rejected Hamilton's plan because it was SO OBVIOUSLY a plan to promote the Federalist Party
12/ A wise and measured person with power took a step back and rejected a sketchy party scheme.
He allowed the electoral process to proceed as planned.
The democratic electoral process.
He allowed the electoral process to proceed as planned.
The democratic electoral process.
13/ THAT'S what I want to highlight.
NOT that the US survived a crisis.
Rather, that wise measured leaders understood that in democratic elections, sometimes you lose
They understood that the DEMOCRATIC PROCESS of gov't is worth protecting & preserving.
The End -- at lucky 13
NOT that the US survived a crisis.
Rather, that wise measured leaders understood that in democratic elections, sometimes you lose
They understood that the DEMOCRATIC PROCESS of gov't is worth protecting & preserving.
The End -- at lucky 13
13.5/ Two more things.
1. The last chapter of my 1st book--Affairs of Honor--is about the election of 1800, & covers its ins & outs in great detail, including this & other sketchy schemes & what they reveal.
2. It doesn't take a "Dr." to make that argument.
But one just did.
1. The last chapter of my 1st book--Affairs of Honor--is about the election of 1800, & covers its ins & outs in great detail, including this & other sketchy schemes & what they reveal.
2. It doesn't take a "Dr." to make that argument.
But one just did.
