Progressive Neutralism: A Philosophical Aspect of American Education Book

"I am unable to enter into the conceptions and view of those around me. They talk to me of grave matters, and I see children blowing bubbles." - John Randolph, writing to Dr. John Brockenbrough


So John Randolph, in a period of insanity. But the tragedy of Randolph's life is that most - congressmen, presidents, farmers, neighbors, friends - looked on his fulminations, and saw only a child, blowing bubbles.


Robert Dawidoff makes an admirable effort to resuscitate Randolph's meaning. This is unusual amongst biographies of early America. Some authors take the Holy Founder at their word - this most often happens with Jefferson. Biographers quail before him, and sneak out the back door by labeling him a "sphinx" or a "prophet" or a "firebrand of liberty." The only way we've managed to crack Jefferson is by looking at his personal life, and drawing a new sketch of the Sage as hypocrite. But no one looks at the thought itself - minus his disgusting nail factory staffed with kids, or the selling of human beings to finance his love of furniture and wine.

Other founders have authors who thrive in summaries - John Adams comes to mind, whose thorny and strongly-worded thought tends to ward off debaters, exchangers. Or perhaps he was better on his feet, and weak in the schoolroom, like Patrick Henry. So we track down letters and land purchases and the inventories of desks. It's nice