Founding Fathers’ Imperfections

Re “Founders’ Imperfections Don’t Warrant Contempt,” Commentary, Nov. 17: Bruce Herschensohn worships a Disney version of history. Some morality never changes.

Though he glibly says “slavery was outlawed in seven of the 13 states” by the end of the “founding era,” Founding Fathers Washington and Jefferson (to name just two examples) found it unnecessary to “reconcile” public principle with private principal. That’s because neither man ever stopped profiting from slave sweat.

Both firmly demonstrated their belief in American precepts: 1) bottom line uber alles and 2) although rhetorically all men are created equal, males of all races are not considered men. And never mind women at all.

The Founding Fathers were mortals, though not mere. They were gifted--and flawed. Consequently, mixed intentions and efforts yielded mixed results.

HORACE COLEMAN

Long Beach

* He says that contempt for our founders is rampant because a new book says so. What does it say or what weight should we place on its authenticity? Herschensohn doesn’t tell us.

He does provide evidence that public ignorance is pandemic and suggests schools are at fault. Maybe another way to get the public interested in government is to have commentators offer essays meeting high school standards.

BOB RAND

Newport Beach