tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post4666808791848397322..comments2024-03-08T07:09:46.527-07:00Comments on Pro Libertate: Hamilton's Curse and the Death of the Dollar StandardWilliam N. Grigghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14368220509514750246noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-61047959291014164312010-02-01T16:48:36.429-07:002010-02-01T16:48:36.429-07:00Joel --
I have not read ALL of DiLorenzo's bo...Joel --<br /><br />I have not read ALL of DiLorenzo's book, but I have read his articles on the subject and I have listened to several lectures and interviews he has done on it. The posts are not meant to be a rebuttal of this book per ce; they are meant to refute the revisionism behind it, based on what he has already written in other places on the subject.<br /><br />I do plan to finish reading his book sometime, for the purpose of seeing his views exposited in more detail. Until I do that, I won't go very far in my series of posts, obviously. Right now, I am dealing with the "preliminary" issues, and bringing to the public's attention the context out of which many facts have been taken.<br /><br />Thanks for your interest. I hope we can discuss this issue in the future.Hercules Mulliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09359315762800176142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-88509504477045790122010-02-01T15:03:05.407-07:002010-02-01T15:03:05.407-07:00I am writing a series of posts here exposing DiLor...<i>I am writing a series of posts here exposing DiLorenzo's lie. </i><br /><br />But didn't you say earlier that you hadn't read the book?Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03442354270552212335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-47148388706313921742009-03-22T22:14:00.000-06:002009-03-22T22:14:00.000-06:00Hello sir. I observe that you are a genuine lover ...Hello sir. I observe that you are a genuine lover of liberty and the founding principles. I have studied the founding principles, as rooted in the Bible, for over 5 years, and Hamilton's life, writings, faith, and political beliefs for a slightly shorter time period. I have also investigated DiLorenzo's claims, and found them not only lacking, but even dangerous. <BR/><BR/>I am a constitutionalist, a Ron Paul-supporter, someone who believes in the restraint of the federal government and the abolition of the Federal Reserve, etc. I used to believe that many of the things you state in this post were true. Until I read the writings of Hamilton himself, as well as those of Jefferson and Washington. I hope you will consider my following remarks, as they are based upon documentary evidence, and not suspicion and inference, and third-source interpretation.<BR/><BR/>DiLorenzo's claim is built upon historical inaccuracies, misinterpretation, the opinions of Hamilton's claimed fans/enemies, and "bait and switch," as Moore says, but NEVER what Hamilton said. And when he quotes Hamilton, he usually takes them out of context.<BR/><BR/>I haven't read his book yet (I've only seen the introduction from an online snipit), but I'd like to. I'd like to see if he can back his theory with more than just "Newt Gingrich the neocon likes Hamilton -- SO BIG GOVT IS HAMILTON'S FAULT!!!"<BR/><BR/>Here's what's happened: many of Hamilton's neo-con "fans" have lied about what he believed, so that their position would appear to have the support of a Founder. And Hamilton's enemies have lied too, either out of ignorance, malice, <BR/> <BR/>By the way, without George Washington, much of Hamilton's policies never would have been put into practice. This is not taught in the history books today, but for about half of Washington's years in service to his country, Hamilton was his right-hand man. Never in a moment of his life did Washington regret that decision. Through all the political turmoil, through all the tests and criticisms and hard times, Washington and Hamilton were agreed in the principles of Federalism, and they only grew closer. A study of their relationship would throw some light on the REAL Hamilton (read their correspondence, not contemporary history books), and on the history of that time.<BR/><BR/>Did You Know ... ?<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://ahpatriot.blogspot.com/2007/06/alexander-hamilton-and-christianity-in.html" REL="nofollow">Hamilton was a Christian</A>.<BR/><BR/>Hamilton was a patriot from the very beginning. He wrote what may be well termed "<A HREF="http://oll.libertyfund.org/?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=1378&chapter=64144&layout=html&Itemid=27" REL="nofollow">an expanded version of the Declaration</A>."<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://alexanderhamiltonspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/07/quotations-from-alexander-hamilton.html" REL="nofollow">Hamilton believed in a government limited by the Constitution</A>. He did not advocate a "strong central government," he never even used the term "central government." He called it the "general" or "federal" government, which, under the Constitution, it is.<BR/><BR/>Hamilton did NOT believe in <A HREF="http://oll.libertyfund.org/?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=1380&chapter=64270&layout=html&Itemid=27" REL="nofollow">gross national debt</A>, or a <A HREF="http://books.google.com/books?id=ta-GTa3teQ0C&pg=PA307&dq=%22imposition+and+fraud%22+alexander+hamilton" REL="nofollow">fiat currency</A>. He vehemently denounced both.<BR/><BR/>Hamilton, according to the documentary evidence, and according to trustworthy experts like Joseph Story and James Kent, was one of the most responsible, if not the most responsible person, for the Constitution's existence. It is ridiculous to say, as DiLorenzo does, that Hamilton conspired to create it, and then when it was finally ratified, thanks to Hamilton's efforts, he conspired to destroy it.<BR/><BR/>If you read Hamilton's writings, you will realize that Hamilton's beliefs about government were based on his Christian belief in the falleness of human nature. He not only believed in the need to restrain rulers, but to restrain the masses as well. And in a post-revolutionary country, where the scales are tipping out of balance toward too much power in the hands of the masses, and degenerating anarchy, it is law and order and steady and efficient government that needs to be emphasized.<BR/><BR/>The leading and most prominent Federalists were not bankers, stock-brokers, merchants, or silver-spooned aristocrats. They were REVOLUTIONARY WAR VETERANS. Let me list a few: Alexander Hamilton (as you know; artillery captain, aide-de-camp of Washington), George Washington, James McHenry (Washington's aide-de-camp), Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (American colonel), Timothy Pickering (Washington's aide), Gouverneur Morris (Anthony Wayne's aide), Daniel Morgan (backwoods Colonel of the DM Rifle Co.), Rufus King (also Wayne's aide, I believe), and the list could go on. Look at the signers of the Constitution -- a huge number bore arms on the field.<BR/><BR/>Jefferson was accused by Patrick Henry of cowardice. Jefferson indeed, as governor of VA during the latter part of the Revolution, relegated his duty to resist the British, who were marching into the South. When the British came within sight of Monticello, Jefferson packed his books and ran, giving up the capitol city without fight! So much for Jefferson's heroic attempts to save our Revolution! But Hamilton, who not much later risked his life as he took the trenches from the British with unloaded bayonets, was actually a British spy and traitor! But thanks to him, we won the Yorktown victory, and the war!! <BR/><BR/>Jefferson was a humanist, a Unitarian, a supporter of the French Jacobins and their Revolution, and a sympathizer of the Illuminati. This is not conspiracy theory; I have <A HREF="http://thefoundationforum.blogspot.com/2008/12/real-story-of-founding-fathers-and.html" REL="nofollow">his own letters</A> to prove it. <BR/><BR/>Jefferson <A HREF="http://books.google.com/books?id=imYSAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:0KgCMn1eycDp4K#PPA81,M1" REL="nofollow">paid an evil man</A>, James T. Callender, to slander Pres. Washington and others. Callendar was a runaway from Europe, who came to Philadelphia to resume the trade of scandal-mongering (i. e. making up gross lies about politicians he didn't like) Washington and the other Federalists.<BR/><BR/>Washington wrote <A HREF="http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=WasFi34.xml&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=55&division=div1" REL="nofollow">this letter to Hamilton</A> when Hamilton turned in his resignation from the Treasury in 1795. <BR/><BR/>The "Whiskey Rebellion" was not about whiskey. Maybe it was fueled by indignation against the whiskey tax, but it was not about whiskey. It was a rebellion stirred up by the French Jacobin Edmond Genet. The year before, he had threatened Washington that he would stir up a huge rebellion among the people, since Washington refused to declare war in favor of France. <A HREF="http://books.google.com/books?id=fWt3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA47&dq=%22terrorism+excited+by+genet%22+john+adams" REL="nofollow">John Adams reported in a letter</A> that mobs incited by Genet stormed his property and pounded on his doors, threatening to drag him out and beat him, and overthrow the federal government, unless Washington emerged and declared war in favor of France. That kind of a rebellion is not about whiskey taxes. <A HREF="http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-washington?specfile=/texts/english/washington/fitzpatrick/search/gw.o2w&act=surround&offset=42170905&tag=Writings+of+Washington,+Vol.+33:+*To+GOVERNOR+HENRY+LEE&query=democratic+societies&id=gw330382" REL="nofollow">Washington himself said</A> that the Insurrection was the "fruit of the Democratic Societies," which were founded by Genet.<BR/><BR/>Maybe DiLorenzo's next book should bash Washington, as Hamilton's neo-con co-conspirator. Either that, or as an idiot who suddenly went dumb and didn't know what he was doing.<BR/><BR/>I am writing a <A HREF="http://ahpatriot.blogspot.com/search/label/Hamilton%27s%20Curse" REL="nofollow">series of posts</A> here exposing DiLorenzo's lie. If you are interested in facts, then feel free to visit and discuss. I'm open to disagreement and debate.Hercules Mulliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09359315762800176142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-78633697161537210872008-11-22T22:46:00.000-07:002008-11-22T22:46:00.000-07:00Thanks, Alexander, for the kind mention of my Holo...Thanks, Alexander, for the kind <BR/>mention of my Hologram of Liberty.<BR/><BR/>http://javelinpress.com/order.html#hologram_of_liberty<BR/><BR/>I published it in 1997, and it pretty<BR/>well covered the points that DiLorenzo<BR/>made in his book this year.<BR/><BR/>Back then, academia and the think<BR/>tanks wouldn't touch Hologram.<BR/>AMR at Laissez-Faire Books refused<BR/>it outright, even at a whopping<BR/>70% discount.<BR/><BR/>I guess I wrote it too early . . .<BR/><BR/>Mr. Grigg, I'll gladly send you a<BR/>signed review copy. Thanks for your article.<BR/><BR/>Kenneth W. RoyceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-24442256206554716902008-11-22T06:27:00.000-07:002008-11-22T06:27:00.000-07:00Mr. Grigg,Congratulations to you and your wife fro...Mr. Grigg,<BR/><BR/>Congratulations to you and your wife from Janice and I. How exciting! Children are a blessing! We now have 1 and 1/2 dozen* children living, one little one is in heaven. May God bless and keep you and yours!<BR/><BR/>James Niemela<BR/><BR/>* No, not 18 children(yet), but 1 child and 1/2 dozen more children. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-21136743458266681722008-11-21T21:04:00.000-07:002008-11-21T21:04:00.000-07:00I'd take Hamilton over any candidate for President...I'd take Hamilton over any candidate for President in the last election except for Ron Paul. <BR/><BR/>Your article is not fair to Hamilton. A lot of it is bait-and-switch, where you list a lot of bad things that other people have done and attribute it to Hamilton even though it was not his doing.<BR/><BR/>The "Central Bank" he proposed was nothing like the FED monstrosity, and I would trade the FED for what Hamilton proposed in a flash. Hamilton's bank could not create "money out of thin air" and had to have gold to back its activities.<BR/><BR/>It is true that Hamilton wanted a stronger central government than Jefferson (and I), and he was pro-business in the classic sense, but that does not mean he would support the leviathan corprotist state we have now. It is just as likely that he would be as horrified at it as we are. <BR/><BR/>Remember that in the end Hamilton left the federalist party and backed Jefferson for President. He ended well. The article makes him out to be a Henry Paulson. That is way too hard on him.<BR/><BR/>I don't like taxes, but there are legitimate functions of government, and they have to be financed somehow. The Constitution does empower congress to regulate interstate commerce, and that regulation can include a tax. I'd trade the intrusive income tax for a whiskey tax in a flash. It is not the federal government's business how much each person has earned.Mark Moore (Moderator)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17386056132530808723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-32645532936060039302008-11-21T13:52:00.000-07:002008-11-21T13:52:00.000-07:00This Saturday (Nov, 21) there willbe a demonstrati...This Saturday (Nov, 21) there will<BR/>be a demonstration at the local<BR/>FED building here in Houston, Texas.<BR/>The FED building here in Houston<BR/>serves no purpose but to cast a<BR/>sense of forboding upon anyone<BR/>who happens to look at it.<BR/>It is truly a hideous piece of<BR/>of architecture.<BR/><BR/>The honorable and courageous<BR/>Dr.Ron Paul will be attending the<BR/>demonstration to give a speech<BR/>against the monstrosity which is<BR/>the FED. <BR/><BR/>God bless Ron Paul.<BR/>God bless America.<BR/>God damn the Federal Reserve.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-92030275661104863152008-11-21T09:17:00.000-07:002008-11-21T09:17:00.000-07:00When it takes place, the next Revolution will actu...When it takes place, the next Revolution will actually be #3...the tie-breaker.<BR/><BR/><B>1775-1783</B>..#1 vs. Britain Leviathan<BR/><BR/><B>1861-1865</B>..#2 Hamilton's Developing Leviathan vs. Jefferson's Republic<BR/><BR/><B>2009-??</B> ..#3 PapaGuv's Fully Completed Leviathan vs. TBDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-27022253516663392192008-11-21T07:44:00.000-07:002008-11-21T07:44:00.000-07:00Although Hamilton was an early advocate of most th...Although Hamilton was an early advocate of most the things that I fear and detest in the political-economic realm including state and local governments being little more than criminal franchises of a strong and expanding debt based central government, he at least met his end honorably and after experiencing a great deal of agony. That is more than I can say for the pampered security crazed whores who now conduct their sordid affairs in Washington. What a shame that dueling has been banned. To even mention the possibility would probably result in one being instantly labeled a terrorist or enemy combatant, massive thugswarm, and being handed one-way rendition airfare.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-49829820492322348152008-11-20T21:36:00.000-07:002008-11-20T21:36:00.000-07:00T2T, thanks!Actually, I'm already the father of si...T2T, thanks!<BR/><BR/>Actually, I'm already the father of six children; our most recent is alive and well <I>in utero</I> (he was kicking up a storm earlier today), and he'll be ready to come out sometime in late January or early February. <BR/><BR/>Korrin's doing much better, obviously. From what I understand, it's not uncommon for women who suffer from her condition (a variant of schizophrenia) to benefit from the hormonal changes attendant to pregnancy. <BR/><BR/>I apologize for the fact that the announcement above is marred by sloppy diction. I promise to clean that up fairly soon.William N. Grigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14368220509514750246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-840845095668277532008-11-20T19:08:00.000-07:002008-11-20T19:08:00.000-07:00Will,You said that you are "father of five (soon t...Will,<BR/><BR/>You said that you are "father of five (soon to be six!)" at the top of the blog.<BR/><BR/>Congratulations!<BR/><BR/>When will you be the father of six? : )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-25778787907065269482008-11-20T14:48:00.000-07:002008-11-20T14:48:00.000-07:00You are welcome. Though I've been aware of and su...You are welcome. Though I've been aware of and supported this idea for some time now, I recently was reminded of it and encouraged to spread the word after hearing one of Lew Rockwell's <A HREF="http://www.lewrockwell.com/podcast/?p=episode&name=2008-11-16_069_the_case_for_bigger_government.mp3" REL="nofollow"> recent podcasts with Dr. Mark Thornton</A> on the subject. Dr. Thornton also has a <A HREF="http://www.thirty-thousand.org/documents/Thornton_NOV1999.pdf" REL="nofollow">scholarly article</A> on thirty-thousand.org.<BR/><BR/>To top it off, this issue has recently been discovered by the eminent Dr. Walter Williams, economist at George Mason U. and syndicated columnist, in <A HREF="http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77961" REL="nofollow">one of his latest missives</A>.<BR/><BR/>Tell all your friends! Spread the word! I know I will.Brandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13387846228625665577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-13509140565752892392008-11-20T12:30:00.000-07:002008-11-20T12:30:00.000-07:00I just finished reading Murray Rothbard's "Anatomy...I just finished reading Murray Rothbard's "Anatomy of the State" posted today at lewrockwell.com; your and Tom DiLorenzo's observations on Hamilton are a great specific example of the general theory Rothbard was explaining.<BR/><BR/>The truth is so refreshing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-42296980044722224702008-11-20T12:06:00.000-07:002008-11-20T12:06:00.000-07:00Mr. Grigg,There is another book, that came out ele...Mr. Grigg,<BR/>There is another book, that came out eleven years ago, that deals with very much the same thing; the hijacking of the country by Hamilton and his merchant and banking buddies. It's called <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Hologram-Liberty-Constitutions-Shocking-Government/dp/1888766034/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227207460&sr=8-1" REL="nofollow">Hologram of Liberty: The Constitutions' Shocking Alliance with Big Government</A> by Kenneth Royce, a.k.a Boston T. Party. I'd definitely give it a try.Johnny Deceptivelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10315667849199111385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-32972340065670940912008-11-20T11:39:00.000-07:002008-11-20T11:39:00.000-07:00Brandon, I hadn't known much -- if anything -- abo...Brandon, I hadn't known much -- if anything -- about the crucial history you've brought to my attention. Thanks so much!William N. Grigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14368220509514750246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-61534124965288722962008-11-20T11:29:00.000-07:002008-11-20T11:29:00.000-07:00Brandon,Thank you for posting that link. That is ...Brandon,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for posting that link. That is amazing and wonderful information.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-41049158396551479252008-11-20T07:07:00.000-07:002008-11-20T07:07:00.000-07:00An excellent review of an excellent book, written ...An excellent review of an excellent book, written in your inimitable style, Mr. Grigg! I have already purchased and read Dr. DiLorenzo's latest book, and loved it. For me, having already read his first book on Lincoln, and so many of his articles on both Lincoln, Hamilton, and others, this book's primary value lies in connecting all the dots, so to speak, in one succinct and clear volume. I urge everyone to read it. <BR/><BR/>BTW, there is yet another significant event in the period surrounding 1913 (not sure of the exact year) that has served to destroy our liberties, and that is that the size of the U.S. House of Representatives was frozen at 435, while the population of this country has continued its growth, thus depriving us all of a more truly representative house. Check out <A HREF="http://www.thirty-thousand.org" REL="nofollow">thirty-thousand.org</A> for more information.Brandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13387846228625665577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32869165.post-14248353985582582892008-11-20T06:52:00.000-07:002008-11-20T06:52:00.000-07:00DiLorenzo is a delightful author who had great inf...DiLorenzo is a delightful author who had great influence on my political beliefs. After reading "The Real Lincoln" I was left with an understanding of what I had long felt but had no context for - We are all slaves now.<BR/><BR/>Those who proudly boast of the honor of paying their taxes would be amusing if they weren't so destructive to so many lives. In the end we will need to re-learn the spirit of the Whiskey Rebels - Leviathan must die!<BR/><BR/>Indeed . . .<BR/><BR/>Sic Semper TyrannisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com