Then im going to introduce a new concept to you, and thats the idea of political culture. And i will compare that concept to something weve encountered before, Political Parties. And finally, the bulk of the lecture is going to be presenting new evidence, in fact on the antebellum political culture. I have three major areas of evidence to talk about today, one, Tobacco Culture, two, political friendships, and, three, affairs of honor. And well conclude there after getting through that evidence. All right. Like we obvious do in the class, im going to start today with an image on the screen and im going to ask you to tell me what you see. This is Lady Washingtons reception from 1861. Take it in. Who can point out something that you see right away that strikes you . There we go. Lady washington is on a platform. Yeah. How high do you think she is, maybe, off the ground . Like, i dont know, a foot. A good foot. Thats a good piece there. What else do you see . Another one down there. Thank
Ashland. Henry clays home in lexington, kentucky, and 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. And we are in henry clays parlor r parlor right now. Let me introduce you to jim plotter, historian. Thank you for being with us. Good to be here. Why is he relevant to americans living in our time . On a couple of accounts, his famous quote, i would rather be right than be president. Its a call to people whatever were doing, which is to do the right thing. In a sense, politicians need to remember the country and sacrifice for the country and i think that is still something that we need to remember, as well and the man known as the great compromiser, and a man that forges these compromises that not only kept the nation together, but were constructive and those are the kinds of things we need to remember about henry clay as well as the things that he did in
The director of the john w hosted the experience of inflated african muslims in the 19th century, and Supreme Court decisions on religious issues after world war ii. The library of congress hosted this event. Study anotherg to that hasublic debate roiled the republic since its earliest days, how religion touches our daily life in washington and around the country. It wasnt that much noted in the media this morning as they were rushing to cover Todays Health Care vote, but its also a day in which President Trump is asking for or issuing an executive order that will relax the socalled johnson amendment, which was a law passed by Lyndon Johnson in 1964 prohibiting religious organizations from overt political activity for fear of tax consequences. That is also changing today. Day night was the National Today is the national day of prayer at the white house. Last night President Trump met with his evangelical advisory board. That is a group of people who only a year ago were not very happy
Heard bill brands before, youll be delighted. If you have come in the past, as i know many of you have, youre in for another treat. So please join me in welcoming my colleague, Greaves Whitney to introduce our speaker. [ applause ] well, thank you very much, elaine, for that warm introduction and praise of the howenstein center. We really treasure our partnership with the ford. Its always a treat. We will continue to brick you excellent programs that stimulate the heart and mind. Happy washingtons birthday to our cspan audience and also to the audience here at the ford. Its really neat to be here, recognizing washingtons birthday. This is one of the reasons we wanted bill to be here on this special day. Its always a pleasure to host bill brands. Weve had him back to west michigan so many times, ive lost count. But its been enough that he should be awarded a lifetime tenure award at grant valley state university. [ laughter ] now, ive probably personally introduced you, bill, more than
And especially with whats going on in the United States, no one was more consequential and has been more consequential on the question of race in america than Frederick Douglass. Way ahead of his time. He was not only an abolitionist and and a passionate abolitionist as a former slave, but he insisted from the earliest times, in the 1840s right through his death almost toward the end of the 19th century, that equality was the goal. And he was, he would take no deviation from that. He was very clear about what the goal was. And so many of his words ring true today, and i really recommend the biography for everybody. Its a long read but its really powerful. Host one of the things i learned about Frederick Douglass this year was thatalso a very active suffragist. Guest yes, yes, absolutely. He was very consistent. And, you know, had a distinguished career and, you know, was able to talk to mixed race audiences at a time where that was unusual, to say the least. And, you know, was willing