George Mason In The History - Essay Example

George Mason: In the history of mankind, there are plenty of examples for people with great leadership and caliber failing to attain the due recognition they deserve. This trait points to the fact that, among the highly recognized historical figures, there are also various people who are sidelined due to the overemphasis on the works and lives of some others. One such example for the people who have failed in the human history to gain the due recognition they deserved would be George Mason (1725-1792), one of the Founding Fathers of the US. He has been remarkable as a judge and statesman, a leader in the cause of American rights in opposition to British tyranny, author “Fairfax Resolves,” (1774), active in work leading up to 1787 Convention which framed U.S. Constitution. He has also been remarkable as he “did not sign Constitution and opposed ratification due to fear of inadequate limits on Federal power to prevent its becoming tyrannical; urged addition of “Bill of Rights;” was one of principal slave-owners (including Washington and Jefferson) who deplored existence of slavery and favored abolition, with compensation by government to owners of freed slaves.” (Mason). All these aspects of this great leader were, it seems, not enough to earn him a more respectable position in the pages of American history. A profound analysis of the life and works of Mason makes one recognize the impact of a true social and political leader upon the future of a great nation and this will also indicate the need for reserving a prime position to this influential leader in the unoccupied areas of American history. In this paper, an overview of this great American leader who, all through his life was steered by his belief in the rule of reason as well as in the essentiality of the natural rights of every man is undertaken. This has been significant an attempt in appreciating the natural leadership of Mason in the political and social aspects and recommends for a greater position for him in the American history. It is essential to have a basic awareness about the biography of Mason in order to appreciate the true leadership traits in his character. Thus, it can be seen that George Mason was born at the Mason family plantation at Fairfax Country in Virginia, to George and Ann Thomson Mason in the year 1725. After the death of his father when he was only 10 he was brought up by his uncle, John Mercer and soon he established himself as one of the important figures in his community. Mason married Anne Eilbeck in 1750 and had five children in her. He had his political interests from the early days on and played many prominent roles such as a justice of the Fairfax County court, a trustee of the city of Alexandria, and a member of Virginia House of Burgesses. Mason’s famous letter illuminating the colonists’ point to a committee of London merchants to enlist their support at the advent of outrage in the colonies due to the Stamp Act of 1765 has great significance to an understanding of his social leadership. The drawing up of the Fairfax Resolves in 1774, which sketched the colonists constitutional grounds for their objections to the Boston Port Act, also suggests the importance of leadership in the great statesman of America. In the establishment of a strong government for America which is independent of England required the service of highly skilled and gifted personalities such as Mason and so he engaged himself in a number of legislative activities. It is also pertinent to remember that Mason was one of the five most frequent speakers at the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. Though Mason wielded immense influence in the Convention, he decided not to sign the document during the last 2 weeks of the convention and he had great principles to justify his behavior. The absence of a declaration of rights has been a prominent reason behind this refusal and many of the other arguments pointed to the failure of the Constitution. He was able to influence the final drafting of the Constitution which also suggests the quality of his leadership. “Two of Mason’s greatest concerns were incorporated into the Constitution. The Bill of Rights answered his primary objection, and the 11th amendment addressed his call for strictures on the judiciary. Throughout his career Mason was guided by his belief in the rule of reason and in the centrality of the natural rights of man. He approached problems coolly, rationally, and impersonally. In recognition of his accomplishments and dedication to the principles of the Age of Reason, Mason has been called the American manifestation of the Enlightenment.” (Mason). Mason had a significant role to play in the American Revolution and the role he played has been determining. At times of some important reply needed to be made towards the people who ordered something unfavorable to the Colonists, Mason was always the front player to respond to. At the time of the tensions between Great Britain and the American colonies first began, George Mason was dedicated to the operations of his plantation and to his land ventures with the Ohio Company. There he had very much to do for the solving out of several aspects of the issue concerning the company due to the tensions in the land. In a series of the related issues of the Revolution, Mason was one of the prominent leaders of the nation to deal with them and work in favor of the nation. When Virginia joined the other colonies which had been implementing non-importation agreements and associations pledging citizens to boycott British goods until grievances were redressed, Mason was a key contributor to this process of protest. He had much to contribute to the type resistance that the state undertook. “He, George Washington, and other leaders had been writing back and forth exchanging ideas on how non-importation should proceed, and on April 5, 1769 Mason wrote to Washington about what effect that policy might have on Virginia and the tension with Great Britain…On May 18, George Washington presented to the burgesses at the Raleigh Tavern a set of non-importation resolutions that had been drafted by him and George Mason a few days before. The burgesses adopted this plan, which became known as the Virginia Association. Mason provided further thoughts about non-importation on June 7, 1770, in a letter... Mason expressed contempt for those who, for their own personal gain, did not comply with non-importation.” (Life & Times of George Mason, 1997). All these efforts in favor of the non-importation have immense significance in relation to the Revolution. His contribution to the Fairfax County Resolves in response and opposition to the Intolerable Acts also illustrates the importance of this great leader and his writings have always been valued in the history of the revolution and in the development of the nation. Mason played a chief role in the drafting of the Virginia Declaration of Rights the final draft of which was passed on June 12, 1776 and adopted by the Convention on June 28. Even after the attainment of freedom, Mason had great contributions to make in the development and organization of the state and the government. His ultimate contribution to the drafting of the Constitution needs special mention here. George Mason was elected a delegate to Virginias new government in 1777. He also remained on Fairfax County’s Committee of Safety and made every contribution to the state. “In 1781, he retired from public life, yet continued to remain involved in the affairs of Virginia and the new nation. Six years later, despite poor health and his aversion to long trips, George Mason traveled to Philadelphia for the Federal Convention of 1787, and became one of the leading contributors to the formation of the United States Constitution.” (Life & Times of George Mason, 1997). Some of the principles that were considered highly by this great leader of our nation suggests that he is undoubtedly one of the world’s truest great men. His ideas are both disturbing and challenging to many of the normal analysts and he spread the implications for universal freedom and equality. Thus, some of his concepts form part of the world’s greatest philosophies. “We came equals into this world, and equals shall we go out of it. All men are by nature born equally free and independent. To protect the weaker from the injuries and insults of the stronger were societies first formed; . . . Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community. Every power, every authority vested in particular men is, or ought to be, ultimately directed to this sole end; and whenever any power or authority whatever extends further, or is of longer duration than is in its nature necessary for these purposes, it may be called government, but it is in fact oppression . . . In all our associations; in all our agreements let us never lose sight of this fundamental maxim--that all power was originally lodged in, and consequently is derived from, the people. We should wear it as a breastplate, and buckle it on as our armor.” (Rutland, 1970).These are some principles held highly by every community at every time in the history of mankind. He played a central role in the Federal Convention of 1787 and was increasingly alarmed over several aspects of the new government. “Throughout the Conventions proceedings, Mason participated fully in the deliberations that gradually created the Constitution, making no fewer than 136 speeches on the convention floor… While he agreed that the government was not functioning effectively under the Articles of Confederation, he wanted to prevent it from having too much power. He believed they could do this by placing most of the powers of government in the House of Representatives, which would be directly elected by the people.” (George Mason and the Constitution). Throughout the process of the drafting of the Constitution, Mason remained the central figure contributing to the several aspects of it and expressing his contempt for some of the provisions in it. These had significant effect on the final drafting of the Constitution and he had immense influence on the various aspects of it. He was particular to certain aspects of the constitution and submitted some resolutions which, as he felt, would contribute to the improvement of the draft. These provisions, if adopted, would have: “provided for a bill of rights; asserted state sovereignty over issues not expressly covered by the Constitution; created a Council to assist in the administration of Government; required a two-thirds vote for passage of any navigation or commerce laws; and required consent of two-thirds of both houses to command the Army or Navy. Ultimately, however, the Federalists won, and the Constitution, without any alteration, was ratified, once again, without George Masons support. Nonetheless, we should not overlook George Masons tremendous contribution to the formation of the Constitution. His absolute commitment to the protection and preservation of the rights of individuals motivated his objections to the Constitution, and even in the twilight of his life, he continued to believe he had acted in the best interests of the country.” (George Mason and the Constitution). It is also important that his opposition to the drafty affected his relationships with several important people such as George Washington and James Madison. However, he was very much convinced about the role he played and in the spring of 1789 he wrote to his son, John which expressed his great feeling. “In this important trust, I am truly conscious of having acted from the purest motives of honesty, and love to my country, according to that measure of judgment which God has bestowed on me, and I would not forfeit the approbation of my own mind for the approbation of any man, or all the men upon earth.” (Rutland, 1970). In an analysis of the great leadership that Mason expressed as a social activist and politician, it is also important to understand him as a thoughtful revolutionary. It must be remembered that the American Revolution is always thought of as an extraordinarily intellectual revolution and the heroes of this revolution were mostly philosophers and soldiers. The political leaders of the Revolution were people with immense political thought which was sophisticated and great political action which was never evident in the history of the nation. “Their ideas — and their stubborn determination to make those ideas the foundation of effective government — still resonate around the world. Few of these men have had a more lasting impact than George Mason, the retiring Fairfax County planter who served a mentor to George Washington and influenced a generation of Virginia revolutionaries.” (Warren Jr, 2001, P.6-8). Thus, the role of Mason was determining role in the crucial affairs of the state during and after the Revolution. Many of the admirers of the American Revolution were of great praise for author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. However, it is clear that many of them including the historians disregarded to get him the important position he deserved. When all of his counterparts including Washington, Jefferson, and Madison attained great recognition in the history of America, Mason the great leader who had been most significant contributor to the development of the state and government in America, was not devoted much attention to his historical memory. It is evident, however, that, although Mason preferred not to leave his Fairfax County plantation, “his influence has been felt around the world for more than 200 years, by millions of people. Masons ideals are invoked wherever oppressed people assert their inalienable rights… Masons legacy lives wherever people raise their voices to insist on the fundamental truth that all people "are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights." Friends of liberty are all his disciples.”” (Warren Jr, 2001, P.6-8). Therefore, the role of this great leader, who was as influential and remarkable as any other great leaders of the state, needs to attain the due attention it deserves. Only a complete understanding of the contribution he made to the building of our nation can be useful in finding a respectable role for Mason in the pages of American history. Reference Mason, George. George Mason Writings and Biography, Retrieved Jun 04, 2008, from http://www.lexrex.com/bios/gmason.htm Life & Times of George Mason: George Mason and the American Revolution, (1997). Gunston Hall Plantation. Retrieved Jun 04, 2008, from http://www.gunstonhall.org/georgemason/revolution.html Rutland, Robert A (Ed). (1970). The Papers of George Mason, 1:229-32. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press. George Mason and the Constitution, Gunston Hall Plantation. Retrieved Jun 04, 2008, from http://www.gunstonhall.org/georgemason/constitution.html Rutland, Robert A (Ed). (1970). The Papers of George Mason, 3:1142. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press. Warren Jr, Jack D. (2001). George Mason, the Thoughtful Revolutionary, Gunston Hall Plantation. Vol.6. No.1. P.6-8. Retrieved Jun 04, 2008, from http://www.gunstonhall.org/georgemason/warren_essay.html Read More