Founding Fathers flawed but still did great things

Editor,

The column headlined “America’s Founders were men, not deities” by Marcus Leyba in Monday’s Daily Lobo indicated there is a chronic misguided “appeal to the Founding Fathers”.

I appeal for a return to the founding principles described in the Constitution by the Founding Fathers. Regardless of the Founders’ foibles and failings, the Constitution was and remains the most liberating document in the history of civilization.

The column misinterpreted Jefferson’s characterization of Hamilton. A more accurate 19th century-equivalent of Jefferson’s description of Hamilton would be as follows: He is a scurrilous person who was accepted, supported and honored by the United States while he attempted to subvert the Constitution.

It’s kind of humorous when you think about it. Jefferson could have been referring to Obama instead of Hamilton and his description would still be accurate.

Leyba continues the prominent phenomenon among academics and Progressives of mischaracterizing the Founders’ position on allowing slavery to persist in the Constitution.

I suggest Leyba and Lobo subscribers read Frederick Douglass’s speech given in Glasgow, Scotland on March 26, 1860 entitled “The Constitution of the United States: Is it Pro-Slavery or Anti-Slavery?” to provide an accurate description of the Founders’ intent regarding slavery.

Then Mr. Leyba and all will have “the facts.”

The Founding Fathers were not deities, but they believed they were guided by divine intervention. Despite the lack of the Founding Fathers’ deity status, Lobo readers can rest assured that a deity does not currently hold the office of the president.

J. Torrey Baird, Jr.
UNM alumnus