Subscribe What happened to literacy?
posted in political by jon on 2004-06-02
The following is an excerpt from John Q. Adams' State of the Union address from 1825. Imagine if a President gave such a speech today; what percentage of the population do you think would understand him? Also, imagine the ACLU's reaction if President Bush delivered this same speech.
State of the Union Address John Quincy Adams December 6, 1825 Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: In taking a general survey of the concerns of our beloved country, with reference to subjects interesting to the common welfare, the first sentiment which impresses itself upon the mind is of gratitude to the Omnipotent Disposer of All Good for the continuance of the signal blessings of His providence, and especially for that health which to an unusual extent has prevailed within our borders, and for that abundance which in the vicissitudes of the seasons has been scattered with profusion over our land. Nor ought we less to ascribe to Him the glory that we are permitted to enjoy the bounties of His hand in peace and tranquillity -- in peace with all the other nations of the earth, in tranquillity among our selves. There has, indeed, rarely been a period in the history of civilized man in which the general condition of the Christian nations has been marked so extensively by peace and prosperity.
