The Legacy of America's First President

Peyton Randolph, born in the September of 1723 in Williamsburg Virginia, is now forgotten in the labyrinth of modern history. But he was no ordinary colonist, having served twice in the presidency as well as numerous other leadership statuses. At age thirteen he began a self-guided study of the classics and so was prepared to study at London’s Inner Temple at an early age. His numerous other accomplishments include Attorney General of Virginia, delegate at Burgess, and tutor and the College of William and Mary where he taught the great orator and statesman, Patrick Henry.
Another remarkable feat of his was multitasking-to an extreme level. Randolph, well versed in many languages, taught himself to write two letters at the same time, on two separate topics, in two different languages (Grant).
He served his first term in September 5, 1774, but retired in October of the same year due to unfortunate health. He however, took up office a second time in the May of 1775 when he again was forced to give the office up soon after. He would be followed by fifteen others, many of them as great as Randolph himself.
Yet, for all his prodigy, those surrounding him did not consider him particularly unusual. In fact, his young disciple, Thomas Jefferson said of him, “He was not particularly extraordinary.” Were his companions just blind to this, or was such great learning the norm of early America?
Why, when we enter into the capitols of our country, we see celebrated our presidents. They are applauded, and taught of, and even blamed, but no mention is made of the first sixteen who dared pioneer the way to our current freedom. Has the history of these men been blotted out of the history textbooks, to be remembered no more? The key to unlocking this great mystery lies in the hearts of the American people and their view on education.
The literacy rate has been slowly declining as the morality drops ahead of it. As the morality falls, the public response is to “educate” more. The problem is devastating. Education does not lead to morality, morality leads to education. This lesson, so characterized in the life of our first president, cannot be changed without seeing the ruinous results we see today in American society.
Such tactful sayings as, “children have the right to be educated” appear all over the school system. Outwardly it sounds appealing, but inwardly the consequences are children with no desire to learn. R.J. Rushdoony says of this pragmatic influence of the Dewey system, “The pupil is…a person with rights rather than responsibilities. Instead of being accountable to God, parents, teachers, and society, the pupil can assert that God, parents, teachers, and society are responsible to him. (Rushdoony)” Proverbs as well states, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter. (Prov. 25:2)” Peyton Randolph is a living reminder of a man who had the principle to understand that he had the responsibility to learn.

Grant, George-The Forgotten Presidents ©2002
Proverbs 25:5 New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Rushdoony, Rousas John- The Messianic Character of American Education quoted in Sir William Blackstone and the Common Law by Robert D. Stacey, Ph.D. © 2008