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
Could please us more in virginia to be reminded, if you will, about our initial associations with massachusetts. Yes, patriots day is something that we are happy to be reminded of, as i know all of our friends in massachusetts continue to be reminded of that occasion in which the citizen body there stood staunchly against the further encroachments of the british upon their rights, upon their property. If i remember, it occurred in three particular villages. Lexington and concord, and let it not be forgotten, menotomy. I believe that they now refer to menotomy as arlington. And i hope it is not forgotten because that is the one of the three where the british actually surrendered. I think they lost about 25 souls that day, but, overall, amongst the three villages, 500 british lost their lives. I was here at monticello, and i started on my way to williamsburg. From williamsburg, i was then going to journey to philadelphia for the second Continental Congress. Well, i had been very much, at
I first was young corporal wayne johnson, 22 years old, citizen of the british west indies. My second was corporal manual rivera, citizen of mexico. My third, Staff Sergeant remy lebrune, of canada. Lawful permanent residents served at higher rates than itive born americans and first years in the fleet brought that home to me in human terms because the person i relied on most to teach a young infantry lieutenant his skills were all noncitizens in my first few years in the marine force. And many times i would attend swearing ceremonies when soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast n, swarthy oath of allegiance taken by all who wish to become u. S. Citizens. Here is what that says. I will read it to you. I hereby declare on oath that i absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all fidelity to any foreign prince, state or sovereignty of whom were of which i have heretofore been a subject or citizen, that i will support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States of america against
To put them on before i do the introduction and introduce our wonderful guests tonight. Lindsay chervinsky is a white house historian at the White House Historical association. She is the author of the new book the cabinet George Washington and the creation of an american institution. She is widely published. I had the great pleasure of interviewing her recently on a podcast, and i cannot wait to share her work and her insights with you. Lindsay, welcome to americas town hall. Lindsay thank you so much for having me. Jeffrey and edward larson, the hugh and hazel darling chair of law and professor at pepperdine university. He is a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in history. He is the coauthor of 14 books, several of them on George Washington and the founders, and his newest book is franklin and washington the founding partnership. It is wonderful to welcome you back to the National Constitution center. Edward thank you so much for having me back, even if only virtually. Jeffrey well, it