Professor Finkelman I assume is familiar with Professor Paul Rahe since they both
teach at The University of Tulsa. Out of a total of 13 prominent professors he was the
only one to write a minority report. Even at that he states, "With the report of the
majority, I am in general agreement. I dissent only in believing it somewhat more
likely than not that Thomas Jefferson was the father of Eston Hemings." That Scholars
Commission Report was released today in Washington and was carried nationwide by
Associated Press, CNN and other media. It is time that the American public understand
that independent scholars may come to a different conclusion than those "employed" at
Monticello. Bottom line: NEVER trust your valuable heritage to any ONE "authority"
whether they be individual or foundation, get a second opinion.
Professor Finkelman seems to think that I want our founders to be perfect. It may
interest him to know that before I became involved with this fiasco of lies,
distortions, twisting of truth I never gave it a thought about our founder's private
lives. When I became involved in this study with Dr. Foster and heard of the false and
misleading Nature headline and false statements made by many surrounding the topic, I
knew things just did not add up. I am extremely glad to hear that some of our
country's foremost scholars now have come forth with a scalding conclusion that Thomas
Jefferson is innocent of fathering ANY of Sally Hemings children. No, I do not want
anyone to be perfect, just that some of those responsible for dispensing false and
misleading statements on topics that they are not familiar with, keep TRUTH in their
arguments. I believe this may be a proper place to finish the other part of Mr.
Jefferson's statement about following truth whoever it may lead us, that Dr. Daniel
Jordan of Monticello is quiet frequently capable of making, " NOR to TOLERATE any
ERROR so long as REASON is left FREE to COMBAT it." Nice job members of the Scholars
Commission, you have let that statement guide you.!
Herbert Barger
Jefferson Family Historian
Member, Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society (www.tjheritage.org)
Paul Finkelman wrote:
> ned heite wrote:
>
> Jefferson's status cannot be diminished by revelation of anything in
> his private life. Certainly our greatest presidents have had some
> pretty interesting private lives. As one of them said, "Here I stand,
> warts and all."
>
> But of course this is not really true. In fact, Jefferson's status or that of any
> other president may be harmed or enhanced by what we find out about them. Their
> private lives may not affect how we view their public acts or even their famous
> words; but surely what we know about Jefferson as slaveowner does affect our views
> of him as person and even as a president. That he brought his slaves with him to
> serve him while Sec. of States, Vice President and President, while George
> Washington refused to do so, tells us something about how these two founders
> viewed slavery and the propriety of slavery in a republic. Jefferson saw no
> impropriety, and never lifted a finger to end slavery where it flourished (except
> perhaps a private letter here and there and an obscure draft of a clause for a
> propsoed constitution he sent to Madison, in case Va. had a constitutional
> convention, which it did not), while opposing the creation and growth of a free
> black population; Washington freed his slaves in his will and was hostile to the
> spread of slavery. Thus, their private lives to inform us about how they carried
> out their public duties.
>
> This seems to be presicely the problem for Mr. Barger. He wants our founders
> perfect. They were not; and surely how we view them will be affected by what we
> know about them.
>
> Serious historians, on the other hand, are not in the business of defending the
> honor or reputation of the Founders; we are in the business of understanding
> people., their lives and the world they lived.
> --
> Paul Finkelman
> Chapman Distinguished Professor
> University of Tulsa College of Law
> 3120 East 4th Place
> Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-2499
>
> 918-631-3706 (office)
> 918-631-2194 (fax)
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> > Mr. Barger:
> >
> > Again, I fail to see where anyone has failed to "uphold our founding
> > fathers" in this matter.
> >
> > Historical fact is historical fact. Any contribution to our
> > understanding of history should be welcomed, discussed, evaluated,
> > and either accepted or rejected, but only on the basis of objective
> > consideration. Personal opinions, prejudices, and ethnic attitudes
> > should have no bearing whatever on the matter.
> >
> > I'm sorry that you feel as you do, but you should really step back
> > and try to consider the material as presented, without coloring from
> > your own rather obvious prejudices.
> >
> > Injecting emotions into this matter will contribute nothing to the
> > cause of historical research, and certainly will not enhance the
> > image of one of America's premier scientists and statesmen. It's not
> > an insult, or an attempt to put him down, if some of his supposed
> > descendants seek to verify a longstanding and "notorious" family
> > legend, using the newest technologies.
> >
> > Jefferson's status cannot be diminished by revelation of anything in
> > his private life. Certainly our greatest presidents have had some
> > pretty interesting private lives. As one of them said, "Here I stand,
> > warts and all."
> >
> > At 8:35 PM -0400 4/11/01, Herbert Barger wrote:
> > >Because people we trust to uphold our founding fathers and their private
> > >lives are unable or unwilling to do it. NEVER trust your valuable heritage to
> > >only one group or individual.
> > >
> > >Herb Barger
> > >
> > >ned heite wrote:
> > >
> > >> Why is Mr. Barger so vituperative about the Hemmings issue? Amid all
> > >> this talk about "science" and "scholarship," do we hear undertones of
> > >> panic, prejudice, and downright hate? If the historical issues
> > >> surrounding this matter are to be resolved, it will not happen in the
> > >> kind of atmosphere that is created by a posting like his most recent
> > >> one. Let's keep the lid on the rancor and try a little dispassionate
> > >> analysis.
> > >>
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> > >
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> >
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>
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