Book sheds new light on Henry Clay and his times. It also says much about our own.
He was speaker of the
But Clay's ultimate ambition -- the presidency -- always eluded him, even though he sought the office an astonishing five times. Why could he never win?
That's the subject of a fascinating new book by
Klotter will speak and sign copies
What makes Klotter's book such an interesting read is that it clearly explains the political trends and popular sentiments that shaped America in the decades before the Civil War -- and continue to shape American politics today. Think
Clay was a colorful character who persevered through great personal tragedy. He was his era's best orator at a time when people avidly attended and read political speeches that could go on forever. He also was a party animal who loved to drink and gamble, and his enemies often attacked him for it. He was charming and witty, and ladies often approached him in public requesting kisses.
"Had women been able to vote, Clay likely would have been elected president more than once," Klotter writes. "Less a ladies' man than a man for the ladies, Clay delighted in their society and their conversation."
Clay's critics considered him too ambitious, a man who would do anything to be president. But what surprised Klotter most in his research was how frequently the "Great Compromiser" took stands on principle -- often to his political detriment.
"He was a man of principle more than I thought he was,"Klotter said. "He was a better statesman than a politician."
Clay was a master of
Perhaps most of all, Clay's political luck and timing was awful. He was a "career politician" and skilled "insider" when voters wanted fresh faces. Sound familiar?
Clay's advocacy for such things as national roads, a central banking system and fair treatment of
Klotter explores Clay's many personal shortcomings, such as his hypocritical criticism of slavery while at the same time being one of
It also is a great example of why we should read and study history, especially now that so many leaders are trying to reduce our universities to vocational schools.
"There's so much people need to know about history in today's world," Klotter said. "If we don't look at our history we're lost, just like a lawyer would be lost without his case law and a doctor would be lost without a patient's chart. Perspective is so important, and we need it as much as ever."
In November, the
Klotter, who grew up in
"I've got a file this thick of future projects," he said,holding his index finger and thumb an inch apart. "There's a lot of history that's not been written yet, and a lot of history that's not been collected yet."
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