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November 2002
rcwrt.org
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
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


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©R.C.W.R.T. 2002