Founding Fathers’ Thoughts on America’s 230th Birthday
What would our Founding Fathers think of America today? Could they solve dilemmas facing us? New historical novel presents thought-provoking answers
[USPRwire, Thu Jul 06 2006] What would our Founding Fathers do if they were here now? Their first reaction might be surprise, for they were not certain that their experiment in democracy would work. On June 24, 1826, Thomas Jefferson declined to appear at the 50th anniversary of America’s independence because of his failing health (he died on July 4, 1826), but he expressed hope that a nation formed from “the bold and doubtful election” of the Declaration of Independence might endure:
“May it [the Declaration of Independence] be to the world what I believe it will be to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all, the Signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self government . . . All eyes are opened or opening to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred ready to ride them legitimately by the grace of god. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day [Independence Day] forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.”
Would our Founding Fathers still consider America an avatar that seeds “grounds of hope for others,” or would they feel that our devotion to liberty has diminished?
Author Lawrence Rowe conducted extensive research with the specific focus of translating our Founding Fathers’ views to modern America. His resulting novel “Tempus Fugit,” which was recently featured on Fox News “Weekend Live,” brings George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin to the present-day United States.
“I spent years getting to know our Founding Fathers,” Rowe says. “Most men are diminished by such scrutiny, but in this case respect grew with understanding. Our Founders wrote extensively on everything from corporations to direct election of Senators to involvement in European wars, and as I read their words, I realized they overcame or foresaw most of our current problems. There are many surprising, and largely unknown, insights they provided that have direct application to the world today.”
In “Tempus Fugit,” a flash of blue light brings Washington, Jefferson and Franklin to Mount Rushmore, delighting a young boy who thinks they are costumed actors. As the Founding Fathers assimilate technology, culture, and the “past” history they have missed, they must also determine who brought them to the present and why.
“I wanted ‘Tempus Fugit’ to be fun,” Rowe says. “Readers journey with our Founders as they discover airplanes, the Apollo Program, and Constitutional amendments. My novel provides a unique opportunity to meet emancipated African Americans with Thomas Jefferson, surf the web with Benjamin Franklin, and watch CNN and Jerry Springer with George Washington.”
Television is a fundamental aspect of modern America which has transformed politics, and Rowe’s opinion of what the Fathers would think is strong. “Our Founders would appreciate TV’s significance as a communication and propaganda tool, but would remain stupefied when observing live events half a world away. Television accelerates politics and forces leaders to cater to public opinion, diluting republican tendencies in favor of democratic. It also rewards style more than substance, and would cause the starchy Washington, obese Franklin, and introverted Jefferson to question their political viability in a mass media culture.”
As he explores the Founders’ reactions to technology, Rowe maintains a sense of humor. “Franklin to Gore: ‘I Invented the Internet.’ ” Continuing in a more serious and realistic bent, Rowe states, “Franklin loved lampooning, but technology would be no laughing matter to the Founders. Jefferson left his bedridden wife to write his Declaration, and might have traded Monticello to e-mail or phone her. A half-hour car ride took a day on horseback, while our transcontinental flight took Lewis and Clark a year. Hand-made Colonial clothing was so exorbitant a fine ball gown cost as much as a minivan.”
What about today’s moral decline? “Our Founders had a less flexible view of character than modern Americans, believed in noblesse oblige [the obligation of nobility], and nurtured a political culture that elevated ethical geniuses to power,” Rowe answers. “The icon who could not tell a lie would be appalled by modern politicians who cannot seem to tell the truth, and it would be inspiring to see Washington confront men like Abramoff and Cunningham. The Founders’ appraisals of President Bush, Hillary Clinton, John McCain and other current leaders would also be memorable, as would their opinions of past leaders like Clinton, Reagan, FDR, and Lincoln.”
“Colonial America fought its own “War on Terror” and passed Alien & Sedition Acts similar to The Patriot Act,” Rowe notes. “Pirates were the Colonial world’s terrorists, and one of their remedies was Letters of Reprisal. Can you imagine this headline? Billion Dollar Letter of Reprisal Issued Against Bin Laden? If the US had added this weapon to its arsenal, Bin Laden’s trial or funeral might be underway.”
Washington, Franklin and Jefferson face difficult dilemmas as they confront modern America. Is the isolationism they advocated is plausible in a nuclear era? Can the limited government they envisioned still secure the blessings of liberty? Are principles they once considered timeless now obsolete?
“Our Founding Fathers’ responses are perspicacious, counterintuitive, and deceptively simple,” Rowe says. “Their actions contrast the patriotic beliefs of yesterday and today, forcing readers of ‘Tempus Fugit’ to question their most dearly held beliefs. After reading ‘Tempus Fugit,’ you will view our Founders and our republic in a different light.”
Whatever one’s political views, America’s 230th birthday is an ideal time to ponder it all.
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