1844, when he ran against james k. Polk. Tonight, we are on location at ashland henry clays home in lexington, kentucky. For the next 90 minutes, we will explore the life and legacy of this man, unsuccessful in his long quest for the white house, yet having an outsized influence on American History. We are in henry clays parlor. Let me introduce you to jim klotter, 25 years now as kentucky state historian. Thanks for being with us. Glad to be here. Why henry clay . Why is he relevant to americans living in our time . I think a couple of counts. First of all, his famous counts, famous comment, i would rather be right than be president , still speaks to us. Its a clarion call to people across whatever were doing. Whether were in politics or Something Else, to do the right things. He also said, you know, that in a sense, that the politicians need to remember the country and sacrifice for the country. I think that is still something we need to remember, as well. The man known as the great
This man, unsuccessful in his long quest for the white house, yet having an outsized influence on American History. We are in henry clays parlor. Let me introduce you to jim klotter, 25 years now as kentucky state historian. Thanks for being with us. Glad to be here. Why henry clay . Why is he relevant to americans living in our time . I think a couple of counts. First of all, his famous comment, i would rather be right than be president , still speaks to us. Its a clarion call to people doing. Whether were in politics or Something Else, to do the right things. He also said, you know, that in a sense, that the politicians need to remember the country and sacrifice for the country. I think that is still something we need to remember, as well. The man known as the great compromiser. A man that forged compromises that not only kept the nation together, but were constructive. Those kind of things i think are the things we need to remember about henry clay, as well as all the things that he
Jackson was elected president in 1828. We recorded their remarks at the u. S. Capital Historical Society in 2018. I will go ahead and start stuff. Welcome. Welcome to our latest lunch time texture. Im steve im chief historian at the capitol Historical Society, welcome. I am really pleased today to introduce you if you dont already know to jeanne and david heidler. They have been speakers here before for their book on George Washington circle. Today we are really honored that we are one day in to the official existence of their latest book on Andrew Jackson. The rise of Andrew Jackson. It was officially released yesterday. So we are at the threshold of greatness here. The book will be available afterwards, they will be available to sign it for anyone interested. I went to point out that their previous book was washington circle, we are also selling discounted copies of that back there. I am told that the hardcover that we are selling is five cents more than amazons soft cover. So that s
,,. as i was thinking of this title, i realized, this is a potential problem, because i was really talking about the presidents and jokes and humor, and i know enough about the history of the presidency, and some of you psrhaps will have caught on, there is a potential problem there. there were two presidents who served before the white house was the official residence of the president. and so if i wanted to say the presidency and humor, humor in the white house didn t quite do it. but then i thought about it s more, and actually, it does work. neither of the first two presidents had a sense of humor. [laughs] [laughs] so it gets me out of that problem. but i m going to follow the lead of perhaps the most successful humourist in the white house. it might not be the person you are thinking of, by doing what he always did, or in most cases, what he did at the beginning of a talk, he started with a joke. some of you will have heard this joke. please pretend you haven t heard it
Answer period, please step up to the microphone next to the podium so they can get your question on the recording. Please make sure that it is, in fact, a question. Normally, when we finish an event, we ask you to fold up your chairs and put them against a book shelf. Please leave them where we are, as we have three more events this afternoon. As mr. Randall is finished talking and finished with the question and answer, hed be happy to answer questions. The line will start to the right of the podium. Mr. Randall details the 50 years and persistent attempts by the british to control american trade waters and how in spite of in the United States ultimately becomes the Worlds Largest independent maritime power. Publishers weekly said of the book revisiting such famous events as the chesapeake affair in which a british ship fired on and mustered an american crew, randall brings to life the violent skirmishes that played out in the name of trade on sea, lake and land. His account helps eluc