GREENWOOD, S.C.— The political discourse among the Founding Fathers was complex and often contentious. Although they shared a common goal of establishing a free and independent nation, the leaders held profoundly different visions for how that nation should be governed.
Their dissension, vigorous and politically charged in the 18th century, was given a 21st-century interpretation during Lander University’s Constitution Day observance. Sponsored by Lander’s Jackson Lecture Series, the event featured historical actors Steven Edenbo, portraying Thomas Jefferson, and Peyton Dixon, portraying John Adams, for “A Visit with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson: We Disagree as Rational Friends.”
The banter and interactions in the performance – sometimes terse, sometimes humorous – highlighted the conflicting visions of power and liberty held by the Founding Fathers.
During the performance, the actors portraying Jefferson and Adams explained that there have always been arguments and discussions in our democracy about the meanings of freedom, liberty, equality and responsibility, said Dr. Lucas McMillan, dean of the College Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
“In a time of political polarization, we wanted our students to see examples of civil discourse, a tradition that goes back to the debates about the words and ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution,” he said.
Lander University’s vision is for students to be “broadly educated, well-informed and equipped for responsible participation in the civic lives of their communities,” McMillan said. “For this reason, we are committed to teaching about the founding documents of our nation.”
For more information about Lander University, visit www.lander.edu.