The Political Inquirer

And on an offbeat note to finish the day: I was pondering earlier today, what exactly has happened to politics to make it so boring? It lacks the flare, the anger, the tension, of days past. In today’s politics we are forced to look at shallow candidates, who lack substance in almost every way, and then we choose which one of them is the most convincing fake, and they go on to lead our nation. But it wasn’t always this way. In the days of old, ideas dominated …… along with egos, rivalries, and felonies.

By 1804, the art of dueling was being banned by most northern states in America. There was also a strong religious and societal movement against the practice of dueling in England, where its opponents claimed, it set a bad example for the lower classes. That wasn’t quite enough to stop Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. One was the former Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington, the other was the sitting vice president under Jefferson.

Over several years, political tension and rivalry sprung up amongst the two men. One represented the Federalists, while the other the Democratic-Republicans. This came to a climax when Hamilton smeared Burr in a newspaper, during the gubernatorial race in New York, in which Burr was running as a candidate. Hamilton lost the duel, and was mortally mounded, dooming the federalists due to lack of leadership. Burr on the other hand was indicted for murder, but charges were dropped, then he went into exile, his political career being ruined.

Duels were not uncommon back in those times, Hamilton had been involved in around ten or so, though they were without guns, until he faced off against Burr. Hamilton’s son also died in a duel in 1801. English Prime Minister, a contemporary of Hamilton and Burr, was involved in dozens of duels himself.

Hard politics did not end with the Burr-Hamilton duel either. In 1865 Radical Republican Senator Charles Sumner gave a fiery speech on the Senate floor, railing against slavery, and those who defended the violence in Kansas. He described slavery as being a menace, and even openly insulted fellow members of Congress, including Stephen Douglas, who said to a colleague during the speech that “this damn fool [Sumner] is going to get himself shot by some other damn fool.”

Even worse, Sumner attacked fellow Senator Andrew Butler, who was not even in attendance that day. He insulted Butler’s views on slavery, and mocked him for his physical handicap. Butler happened to be a close friend with fellow Southern senator Preston Brooks.

Brooks originally intended to challenge Sumner to a duel, and consulted South Carolina Rep. Laurence Keitt on dueling etiquette. Keitt stated that dueling was for two men of equal social status, and made the argument that Sumner was on the level of a drunkard, citing the harsh language that he used during the speech in question.

Leaving Brooks with no other choice, he went to the Senate chamber, which was almost empty, and spotted Sumner at his desk. He approached Sumner with two other southern representatives and said “Mr. Sumner, I have read your speech twice over carefully. It is a libel on South Carolina, and Mr. Butler, who is a relative of mine.” As Sumner stood, Brooks began beating him over the head with his thick walking cane, which had a golden head.

Sumner was said to have been blinded by his own blood, as he staggered away and collapsed unconsciously, where Brooks continued to beat him with the cane until it broke. Other Senators went to help Sumner, but they were stopped by Keitt, who was holding a pistol and waving them off. Brooks then silently left the chamber.

It would be three years before Sumner recovered enough to return to his duties. Brooks on the other hand, received dozens of new canes from his South Carolina constituents, and fended off an expulsion vote, though he did resign his seat anyways.

In today’s world, things are much different than this. Whenever there is political tension between two sides, or a candidate does something slightly out of the ordinary, it is hyped up by the media as being a big thing. Like when Mitt Romney was interrupted during a speech, and was pressured by a journalist over his adviser being a lobbyist, many news outlets made a big deal about it, saying Romney got angry, and he lashed out. Romney sounded calm the entire time, and at the end he told the reporter “lets talk”. Yes, that’s a real big blow up.

Compassion and emotion is also a big focus in politics today. When Hillary Clinton cries, everyone is all over it, trying to figure out what the deal is. We don’t really need people crying when they are in the White House, we need people who know what they are doing. It seems the age of weak politics has arrived.

Because if you aren’t willing to commit assault over your beliefs, you obviously don’t feel strongly enough about them.

But then again, there might be hope still.