tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8250013.post3227886626464069786..comments2023-10-06T12:28:48.452-04:00Comments on Spinning Clio: John Adams and the Problem of Contemporary Political ClassificationMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09263223781051175207noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8250013.post-27749805831048710412008-07-14T08:26:00.000-04:002008-07-14T08:26:00.000-04:00Pete, Thanks for bringing Henry up (more here). H...Pete, Thanks for bringing Henry up (more <A HREF="http://www.answers.com/topic/patrick-henry" REL="nofollow">here</A>). He also had the prototypical states-rights approach by serving his "country" (Virginia) but refusing to go to Congress (which is ironic given his famous statement, "I am not a Virginian, I am an American, etc."Marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09263223781051175207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8250013.post-19606870353501972942008-07-14T00:33:00.000-04:002008-07-14T00:33:00.000-04:00I always thought of Patrick Henry as one of the fi...I always thought of Patrick Henry as one of the first "conservatives." Although of an earlier generation than Jefferson and Adams, so a bit difficult to compare to them, he was intensely fearful of a strong central government. Some of his social views also trended toward the conservative, even for the time (teetotaler, did not appreciate Franklin's "indiscretions", very pro-slavery). But then, I'm no colonial historian. <BR/><BR/>Coincidentally, Henry was immortalized by several of the private schools started to perpetuate segregation in the fifties and sixties (especially in VA). Definitely the most popular founding father as far as that goes (TJ also inspired several HS names). While we don't know where Henry (or any of the founders) would stand on contemporary issues, many Southern conservatives and segregationists thought he would take their side. For what that is worth.Pete Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02642745907148293727noreply@blogger.com