Clark H. Lewis, President Art & Carol Bergeron, Editors
P. O. Box 1122 3901 Paces Ferry Road
Richmond, VA 23218 Chester, VA 23831-1239
November 2002 PROGRAM
Dr. Thomas J. DiLorenzo
"Lincoln's Second American Revolution"
Tuesday, November 12, 2002, at the
Willow Oaks Country Club, 6228 Forest Hill Avenue
6:00pm - Cash Bar, 7:00pm - Dinner, 7:45pm - Meeting Begins
Dr. Thomas J. DiLorenzo is professor of economics in the
Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola
College in Maryland. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1979)
and a B.A. in economics from Westminster College
(Pennsylvania). He has held full-time faculty positions at
George Mason University, State University of New York,
Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of
Tennessee at Chattanooga.
DiLorenzo is the author or co-author of eleven books,
including his latest, The Real Lincoln: A New Look at
Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War,
published by Random House. Among his other books are
Official Lies: How Washington Misleads Us; The Food and
Drink Police: America's Nannies, Busybodies, and Petty
Tyrants; and Underground Government: The Off-Budget Public
Sector. DiLorenzo has also published more than 70 articles
in academic economics journals, including the American
Economic Review, Economic Inquiry, Public Choice,
International Review of Law and Economics, and many others.
DiLorenzo is a member of the senior faculty of the Mises
Institute in Auburn, Alabama, an educational institution
that is devoted to advancing the work of the free-market
"Austrian" school of economics. He is also a member of the
Mont Pelerin Society, an international association of
scholars devoted to the free society.
In his presentation, DiLorenzo will argue that the
"revolution" that historians like James McPherson refer to
was a revolt against the principles of the Declaration of
Independence, the Constitution, and the federal system of
government that was created by the founding fathers. The
Old Republic was overthrown and in its place was put the
consolidated empire that, according to DiLorenzo, "we slave
under today."
Review of the October Program
|
Dr. Gabor S. Boritt gave an informative presentation on
President Abraham Lincoln, focusing on three aspects of his
personality and political career. Boritt began by reminding
the audience that the most important fact about studying the
Civil War or Lincoln is that we must put ourselves back in
that time-to find the proper context in which events
occurred.
The first aspect of Lincoln's personality Boritt covered was
his sexual orientation. Some modern historians have written
that Lincoln was gay. Their basis for this assertion is
that, for three years in Kentucky, Lincoln shared a bed with
his best friend, Joshua Speed. Boritt pointed out that this
situation was extremely common in the nineteenth century and
had nothing to do with a person's sexual orientation. He
chastized modern writers for trying to make judgments of
nineteenth century personalities based upon early
twenty-first century viewpoints.
Next, Boritt talked about Lincoln and race. The question is
often asked, "Was Lincoln a racist?" That term had no
meaning in the nineteenth century. At that time, around
99.9% of Americans believed that whites were superior to
blacks. Critics have called Lincoln "Racist in Chief."
Lincoln's speech at Charleston during the Lincoln-Douglas
Debates contains clear language about white superiority, but
he said that he opposed the expansion of slavery in the
territories. According to Boritt, Lincoln was responding to
statements by Douglas about race. Illinois had laws
prohibiting blacks from entering the state. Lincoln was
simply saying that he supported the Illinois constitution.
Boritt explained that Lincoln changed and grew in time.
Frederick Douglass commented on how Lincoln "rose above the
prejudice of his time." Lincoln was the first president to
entertain blacks in the White House. He asked a painter to
live at the mansion and paint his portrait as the "Great
Emancipator." Boritt said that Lincoln thought that this was
his most important legacy.
Finally, Boritt spoke briefly about Lincoln and the Civil
War. He said that there was a terrible burden on Lincoln as
war president. Lincoln did not relish war but knew that the
conflict was necessary to preserve the Union.
In response to questions, Boritt expressed his belief that
Lincoln was an absolutely remarkable human being. He was
not well educated but became a master of the English
language. Lincoln surrounded himself with smart men. He
was not afraid of them and knew how to use them. According
to Boritt, Lincoln was not an atheist. He got away from
Christianity as a young man but was the most spiritual
occupant of the White House even though he did not belong to
a church.
Announcements
Brandy Station Battlefield Tour
A relatively small but dedicated group of Round Table
members participated in the Fall tour of the Brandy Station
battlefield. It was one of the best tours we have had in
recent years. Clark Hall, our guide, said that he would be
interested in providing a more intimate tour of the area,
including sites that our bus could not get to. He and Sam
Craghead are tentatively planning such a tour for March
2003. At that time, the weather should be perfect, and the
lack of leaves on the trees should make it much easier to
see the lay of the land. Those who missed the Fall tour and
anyone who was with us on October 5 should keep track of
future announcements regarding this new tour at meetings and
in the newsletter.
Annual Christmas Dinner
Reservations for the annual Christmas dinner are being
accepted until November 6. The cost per person is $25.00.
Our speaker, Dr. Thomas J. DiLorenzo, will have with him
for sale copies of his latest book The Real Lincoln: A New
Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War.
All members are urged to attend this Christmas dinner.
Please fill out the form below, clip it out, and send it to
Brag Bowling, 3019 Kensington Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221.
Make all checks payable to the Richmond Civil War Round
Table. Let any interested friends know about the meeting
and tell them that they are welcome to attend. If you have
any questions about the meeting, call Brag at (804) 359-0382
or contact him by e-mail at bragdonb@erols.com.
____________________________________________________________________________
Richmond Civil War Round Table
Annual Christmas Dinner Reservation Form
Name _______________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Number of persons attending _____________ Amount of check $___________
____________________________________________________________________________
An Important Reminder!
There will be no meeting at the Boulevard Methodist Church
this month because of the Christmas Dinner meeting at the
Willow Oaks Country Club.
Change of the December speaker see:
RCWRT Monthly Speakers for 2002
Newsletter Deadlines
To facilitate the printing and timely distribution of the
monthly newsletter, information for it should be submitted
November 22 for December
Richmond Civil War Round Table Newsletter
Art & Carol Bergeron, Editors
3901 Paces Ferry Road
Chester, VA 23831-1239