Book Talk: “In a Constitutional Way" by John Ragosta

Join Poplar Forest as we welcome John Ragosta, Historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, to discuss his new book For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle.

In 1798, with partisan battles raging, Thomas Jefferson’s Kentucky Resolutions declared that a state could pronounce federal laws unconstitutional and “nullify” them – secession, state against the federal government, and state against state, threatened. Newspapers warned that “Civil War!” loomed.

George Washington begged Patrick Henry to come forth from retirement, oppose these dangerous policies, and save the union. While Henry had been the leading antifederalist, opposing ratification of the Constitution, he insisted that since “we the people” adopted the Constitution, anyone contesting federal policy must seek reform “in a constitutional way.”

Tellingly, within eight days of his Virginia Resolutions being adopted – Resolutions much milder than Jefferson’s Kentucky Resolutions – James Madison wrote Jefferson that they had gone too far. Jefferson, chastised, recognized the danger of the 1790s’ hyper-partisanship and reconsidered. This is a better explanation of Jefferson’s moderation as president than the oft-repeated claim of hypocrisy.

This story – recounted in For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle – is the story of how a democracy must work if it is to survive.

The book talk is free and open to the public, but reservations are required as space is limited. Please register below to attend.