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
The man who didnt get it, charles hughes, Supreme Court justice, all but won the election in 1915. In fact, when president Woodrow Wilson went to bed the night Election Night, he thought he was beaten. If he would have been elected how American History goes in several different directions, on suffrage for women, civil rights. What does he do on Foreign Policy . Germany baited us into war. Hes the one you could write novels about. Charles evans hughes who is on the Supreme Court and then left the Supreme Court when he ran for president and then went back on the Supreme Court. One of the finest minds on the court. Fellow justice called Charles Evans hughes, the greatest in our great line of chief justices. Why hughes . Robert jackson provided part of the answer when he was attorney general. Jackson said that hughes, quote, looks like god and talks like god, end quote. 1916 footage of charles hughes, that years president ial nominee campaigned soon after the Republican National convention
Stellar worldclass programs and there they are on the screen. The school of historical philosophical and religious studies. Quite a mouthful. Its a great program. Also, the center for political thought and leadership. Another stellar program. If this lecture intrigues you, you should check out our center. We are doing some big things. And finally, if you are interested in learning more about yours truly hard. There we are. Www. Professor barth. Com. You can read about me on the website. A generation of politicians has passed. Alexander hamilton guys in a dual in 1804. James madison, picture there on the right, retired from politics and dies in 1836. John adams and Thomas Jefferson die on the same day, july 4th, 1826. 50 years to the day of the signing of the declaration of independence. Pretty incredible. You cant make Something Like that up. But america is changing. A market revolution is sweeping the young republic. Mass commercialization. Profit making. New opportunities for investm