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)

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> 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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