It is a tradition during Jack Miller Center Summer Institutes for fellows to present original toasts after the evening meal. What follows is a toast by Lara Brown, of Villanova University, after being introduced by the 2011 UVA Toast Master, Robert Ingram.
Jack Miller Center Summer Institute – Toast, June 24, 2011 (Lara M. Brown)
Thank you, Robert, for this humiliating privilege.
Over these last many days, as some of you may have noticed, it has been very difficult, situated as we are in the wilds of Virginia, to get a clear cell phone signal. I have tried many times – unsuccessfully, I might add – to reach New York City. But as is often the case with me, my failure motivated my creativity and redoubled my tenacity.
And so tonight, I thought I would share with you the letter I wrote this afternoon to my most favorite Empire State resident – no, not my mom – Alexander Hamilton.
Before I read my missive, which, by the way, may not be funny to those who’ve read only Federalist 10 and from whom I now beseech your Smithian sympathy,[1] let me begin with a simple, but sincere “Thank You” to the Millers, and to everyone who works as well as financially sustains the Jack Miller Center. This program has been both an extraordinary gift and an amazing opportunity.
I have not only enjoyed the intellectual engagement, but also, I feel compelled to tell you, I have grown – adapted – evolved as a human being.[2] This really should be no surprise because almost by definition – given that I have a learning disability and hail from California – I am “morally retarded.”[3] In other words, I needed a scholarly socializing and a fully-controlled educational environment to show me that my time at the Boar’s Head Inn is truly a way of life – “and not a preparation for living.”[4]
So, yes, I have adapted and evolved. I came here nearly a fortnight ago as a flaming ideological moderate, passionately committed to the importance of God, Darwin, and a balanced budget. Or more theoretically, religion, science, and pragmatic politics. But now, after these many days of morally-enlightening readings, I have become a Progressive. I have realized that self-interest is self-interested and the public interest – as construed by omniscient bureaucrats and scientists for the people – will miraculously recreate a utopian state of nature where leisure and peace describe the human condition.[5] As a result of this “haze of Deweyspace,”[6] I’ve forgotten why natural law, self-preservation, and private property matter.
So now that I have put my cards on the table, let me indulge Mr. Ingram’s “voyeuristic addiction”[7] and read my love letter to the Federalist I would have followed in voting for Pinckney over Adams in 1800: Alexander Hamilton.[8]
My dearest Col. Hamilton:
Tonight, I send you my heartfelt adoration from what was surely a yeoman farmer’s grist mill neighboring Mr. Jefferson’s palatial estate. Although I have yet to enjoy his legendary hospitality, I most certainly have not gone wanting for salutary wines or fine French cuisine.
Speaking of France, you would be pleased to know that Mr. Capaldi shares your distrust of philosophy from that part of the world, even though he did not specifically discuss Mr. Jefferson’s almost “womanish attachment”[9] to Rousseau. You would be most gratified to discover that Mr. Levin views “capitalism as freedom bounded by virtue and discipline”[10] and he does not believe that “creditor and enemy are synonymous” terms. More generally, and much to my relief, my teachers and colleagues here do not seem to subscribe to the notion that “liberty is licentiousness,” nor do they feel that “every man of a different opinion is an ambitious despot or a corrupt knave” [11] – unless they are a Democrat.
Beyond this, Mr. Rabkin endorsed a vital theory of federalism, one in which, as you have noted, may lead to a diversity of manufactures that might even include women and children laborers.[12]
Not all has gone swimmingly, of course. Few recognize that Federalist 51 was your colossal genius so aptly describing the role ambition plays in the separation of powers, and not Madison’s more timid, albeit, politically savvier and seemingly “disinterested” intellect.[13]
I should also share that I was momentarily scandalized by the gossip Mr. Ingram passed on while dining at the University of Virginia on Wednesday. He told me that Ms. Hemmings was not Mr. Jefferson’s only entertainment. It seems that he and Mr. Burr have been conspiring for more than the presidential chair. In fact, they have been enjoying what some might call a ménage à fois gras with Dolley Madison on the swings by the duck pond while James has been busy with his congressional investigation of you.[14]
There is one other item I must admit I am perplexed by. Nearly each night all raise their glasses and cheer, “Hail Ceaser.” While I understand perfectly, the desire to recognize the impressive scholar who possesses that name, surely, it cannot be lost on everyone, that Mr. Ceaser is no Caesar. As you have explained, “Cato was the Tory and Caesar was the whig of his day. The former frequently resisted – the latter always flattered the follies of the people,” and nearly “destroyed the Republic.” Given that our Mr. Ceaser is no demagogue – he even intentionally ended his keynote address before reaching his conclusion because he felt it intemperate to go on – it seems to me, we should instead be toasting, “Hail Cato.”[15]
One other observation worth mentioning, our most generous and benevolent host, Mr. Jack Miller, possesses many of the qualities you have told me you admire: he neither loves money for its own sake, nor scolding others for how they use it; he seems to believe in God while he dislikes those who fashion themselves saints; and like you, he is largely indifferent to another’s political leanings because he is confident he has arguments that will convert them to his.[16] And I might add neither you nor he is wrong on that account. Both you and Mr. Miller are most persuasive owing to your experience in the merchant trades. I am profoundly grateful for such grounded knowledge.
So, now, “I stopped to read over my letter – it is a motley mixture of fond extravagances and sprightly dullness: the truth is I am too much in love” with this Jack Miller Summer Institute “to be either reasonable or witty; I feel in the extreme; and when I attempt to speak my feelings I rave. I have remarked to you before that real tenderness has also a tincture of sadness, and when I” consider leaving tomorrow “my heart rebels.”[17]
On that note, I must bid you adieu, my little lion.[18]
Your most obedient servant,
Ms. Brown
Before I end, I’d like to again thank all of you for this amazing experience. Simply put, I will, as the Admiral suggested, treasure this time – the people I’ve met, the conversations I’ve had, and the learning I’ve acquired – for a lifetime. Thank you, Rafe and Pam, and Mike, Mike, and Mike. Thank you, Jim and Bill. Thank you, Jack and Goldie. Thank you, Sam and Kate. And now, please raise your glasses and join me in toasting: “To a lifetime” and “Hail, Cato.”
[1] See Adam Smith, Theory of Moral Sentiments.
[2] See John Dewey, “The Influence of Darwinism on Philosophy.”
[3] See Nicholas Capaldi, “JMC Institute Presentation,” June 23, 2011.
[4] See John Dewey, “My Pedagogic Creed,” p.3.
[5] See John Dewey, Individualism Old and New and Philosophy of Education.
[6] See Wilfred McClay, “JMC Institute Presentation,” June 24, 2011.
[7] This reference refers to Robert Ingram’s oft noted, albeit questionable interest in “pornography on-demand in his hotel room.”
[8] See Alexander Hamilton’s “Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States, October 24, 1800” in Joanne Freeman, Alexander Hamilton: Writings, pp.934-972.
[9] The full quote refers to Jefferson and Madison. Hamilton wrote: “They have a womanish attachment to France and a womanish resentment against Great Britain.” See Alexander Hamilton’s “Letter to Edward Carrington, 1792” in Joanne Freeman, Alexander Hamilton: Writings, p.745.
[10] See Yuval Levin, “JMC Dinner Address at UVA,” June 22, 2011.
[11] See Alexander Hamilton’s “Letter to George Washington, 1792” in Joanne Freeman, Alexander Hamilton: Writings, p.778.
[12] See Alexander Hamilton’s “Report on the Subject of Manufactures” in Joanne Freeman, Alexander Hamilton: Writings, p.673.
[13] See Alexander Hamilton’s “Draft of the Farewell Address,” in Joanne Freeman, Alexander Hamilton: Writings, p.860.
[14] Aaron Burr introduced Dolley Todd Payne to James Madison. In addition, Burr went to Princeton with Madison, and in both 1796 and 1800, he was Thomas Jefferson’s vice presidential nominee. See Alexander Hamilton’s “Letter to Edward Carrington, 1792” in Joanne Freeman, Alexander Hamilton: Writings, p.751.
[15] See Alexander Hamilton’s “Letter to George Washington, 1792” in Joanne Freeman, Alexander Hamilton: Writings, p.782.
[16] This passage was adapted from a letter Hamilton wrote to his friend, John Laurens, in 1779. See Alexander Hamilton’s “Hope for a Wife,” in Joanne Freeman, Alexander Hamilton: Writings, p.58.
[17] See Alexander Hamilton’s “To Elizabeth Schuyler, 1780,” in Gertrude Atherton, A Few of Hamilton’s Letters, p.77.
[18] Hamilton had two nicknames: “Hammy” and “Little Lion.”