The American Revolution Today - September 2009
Book Says Federal Government More Drastic Change than Revolution
Sep 25, 2009
One of the central themes of a new book addresses the controversy about whether or not the American presidency threatened the liberties of the country. In Empire of Liberty, a History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815, author Gordon Wood indicates that the new federal government that emerged from the Constitutional Convention, rather than the Revolution, was the more drastic change for American society.
Wood also claims that the 1780s has proven to be the most important decade of American history. He says that ineptitude of state government during this time caused significant problems. Many Americans became disillusioned with so-called popular government during the struggle for independence. State legislatures repeatedly showed cowardice when it came to enacting tough militia service laws and collecting badly needed taxes.
Voters, according to Wood, were not happy with Alexander Hamilton and the federalists at the Constitutional Convention who wanted a centralized military state. When delegate James Wilson of Pennsylvania suggested that a single person should be appointed executive of the gathering of delegates to manage the meeting, there was a long uneasy silence in the room. The attendance of George Washington, however, made that suggestion acceptable.
However, Washington also was criticized if he leaned too far toward a monarchical style of government. Later, his journey to New York to take the oath of office as president was seen by some as a royal procession.
Washington believed strongly in the new government and the importance of the presidency. He did favor a royal style at first, but he was flexible. He accepted decisions made by the House of Representatives and helped shape the new government and the policies of the office of the president.
American Revolution Center
About nine years have passed since the plan was announced to build the American Revolution Center in Valley Forge. One idea was to build it within the national park. Then, it was considered for land purchased for $7 million on the north side of the Schuylkill River.
The board now has decided to place the center within Independence National Park on several acres at Third Street and Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. The objective is to present the entire story of the Revolution in one building with artifacts and a narrative created by historians of the era.
The King Family
Rufus King signed the Constitution as a New England delegate. At the urging of Hamilton, he moved to Long Island and became one of New York State’s first two senators. The other was Philip Schuyler. Later, King was appointed minister to Greater Britain.
Today, his New York home, King Manor, continues to stand in the Jamaica section of New York City’s borough of Queens. Unfortunately, time has obliterated the magnificent views he enjoyed from the home, replacing the vistas with residential and commercial development.
King’s descendants include politicians and a Civil War general along with actress Jane Wyatt and musician David Crosby, founding member The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash (and sometimes augmented with Neil Young) and CPR.
