Apropos of nothing – Alexander Hamilton’s letter to his wife, prior to the duel.
This letter, my very dear Eliza, will not be delivered to you, unless I shall first have terminated my earthly career; to begin, as I humbly hope from redeeming grace and divine mercy, a happy immortality.
If it had been possible for me to have avoided the interview, my love for you and my precious children would have been alone a decise motive. But it was not possible, without sacrifices which would have rendered me unworthy of your esteem. I need not tell you of the pangs I feel, from the idea of quitting you and exposing you to the anguish which I know you would feel. Nor could I dwell on the topic lest it should unman me.
The consolations of Religion, my beloved, can alone support you; and these you have a right to enjoy. Fly to the bosom of your God and be comforted. With my last idea, I shall cherish the sweet hope of meeting you in a better world. Adieu best of wives and best of women. Embrace all my Darling Children for me.
Ever yours
AH
February 16, 2010 – 8:42 pm
Discounting the idea that Evan Bayh might challenge Barack Obama for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2012, Matthew Yglesias–he of the sterling intellect–tells us the following:
By Pejman Yousefzadeh
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Posted in Blogs, Chequer-Board
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Also tagged Barack Obama, Democrats, Don't Know Much About History, Evan Bayh, Jerry Brown, Jimmy Carter, Matt Yglesias, Politics, Presidential Primary, Ted Kenned
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February 2, 2010 – 1:45 pm
It is still full of surprises:
February 1, 2010 – 7:44 pm
Alan Reynolds is right to say that “as a purely statistical matter,” Democratic Presidents preside over more job growth.
January 28, 2010 – 8:53 pm
It is, of course, the job of the historian to examine the acts of the deceased; and some consider it an equal part of their profession to pass judgement upon them. In the case of Howard Zinn, however, he passed judgment with such slothful ease, and such obvious sadistic pleasure in issuing his condemnations, that one cannot muster up much sympathy at the prospect of the man’s memory dying by his own sword.
January 13, 2010 – 2:17 am
Miep Gies probably expected to live a quiet, unadorned life. Instead, she became the publicist and helper of Hope:
November 18, 2009 – 5:20 pm
The Economist on the Reagan legacy in fighting the Cold War.
November 10, 2009 – 1:26 am
There is a tendency for events that were once chaotic, precarious, and ultimately consequential to seem inevitable once they’re chiseled into our tablets. Today, an equally dismissive approach suggests that those events were inevitable. In fact, they were neither.
October 20, 2009 – 4:20 pm
It’s not a better world for that war, Roy. What you did and how you died were preludes to more and worse for what would have been your children’s generation. But that’s not your fault, and we err so badly in thinking it pointless. You fought for good reasons. The slaughter of Americans on the sea, the fate of small nations, and the struggle of republics against empires: these principles, abused as they were, are still reasons for good men in a good fight.
September 18, 2009 – 7:39 am
Please tell me that this is a reporting error:
September 3, 2009 – 2:01 pm
Why, the Imperial Presidency, of course!
By Pejman Yousefzadeh
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Posted in Blogs, Chequer-Board
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Also tagged Barack Obama, Double Standards, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, health care, Health Care Policy, Health Care Reform, Hypocrisy, Jean Edward Smith, Obama Administration, Politics, The Imperial Presidency
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