Word: public
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...whole foundations of the Union, as established by the original Constitution of the United States, introduced a population alien to it in every element of character, previous education, and political tendency." His independence of thought showed through again in a later speech on foreign relations: "But, acting in a public capacity, with the high responsibilities resulting from the great interests dependent upon my decision, I cannot yield to the wishes of love-sick patriots, or the visions of teeming enthusiasts." Poor Josiah! He had no power in the House, but never weighed decisions for political expediency. His personal standards determined...
Quincy's "heart's desire," his son recorded, "was to make the College a nursery of high-minded, high-principled, well-taught, well-conducted, well-bred gentlemen, fit to take their share, gracefully and honorably, in public and private life." In his attempt to reach this goal, Harvard's fifteenth President failed miserably. His policies incurred the wrath of the undergraduates and culminated in the great riot of 1834 and the subsequent dismissal of the entire sophomore class...
Some of the College's practices directly encouraged what President Quincy considered sinful. Commencement exercises were little more than excuses for feasting and drinking, and since they were open to the public, crowds streamed from all parts of New England to enjoy Harvard's liquid hospitality. Class Day also bore a resemblance to a Dionysian revel...
...almost always brought him success, with the singular exception of his sojourn at Harvard. As a Congressman, reform mayor, historian, and Federalist leader he had few peers; when the Corporation selected Quincy as the fifteenth president of the College it was on the basis of a distinguished record of public service...
...President Jefferson. His unexpected attack upon the President evidently created a great sensation in Washington. Representatives bobbed up, violently censuring Quincy for his resolution, and when the vote came, only the name of Josiah Quincy favored the affirmative. Nearly 50 years later, Quincy looked back on this episode: "No public exertion of mine has been more fully justified by the reflections of a long life," he wrote. His defiance of the President, of Congress, and of public opinion fitted in well with his independent moral code...