Here’s a guest post from my peer facilitator and teaching assistant, Jennie Ahlborn, introducing William Manning’s Key of Libberty, along with citations (and links, for some folks, to Manning’s two key texts.)
William Manning’s The Key of Libberty
Samuel Eliot Morison; William Manning, The William and Mary Quarterly, 3rd Ser., Vol. 13, No. 2. (Apr., 1956), pp. 202-254.
“Measures So Glareingly unjust”: A Response to Hamilton’s Funding Plan by William Manning
Ruth Bogin, The William and Mary Quarterly, 3rd Ser., Vol. 46, No. 2. (Apr., 1989), pp. 315-331.
William Manning
Here’s a study guide on Manning, for all those who would like a li’l bit of everyday citizen insight…
Who was William Manning?
William Manning was a farmer-turned soldier-turned farmer who lived in Hampden, Massachusetts. He was born in 1748 and died on October 21, 1814. In 1775, he participated in the fight at Concord, and was soon appointed a second lieutenant. He also served two terms as an officer of the town of Billerica. However, he lived his entire life in one house and was primarily a farmer and laborer.
Politically, Manning was a strong Jeffersonian Republican. According to William and Mary Quarterly, “Like the average American Farmer, he had a profound distrust of governors and government.” He believed governmental problems were a result of the conflict between the many and the few, the laboring class and the elite, similar to Karl Marx’s theory. However, unlike Marx, he believed that democracy could work in society if the laboring class was educated in matters of government and current affairs, and if elected representatives truly served their constituents’ interests.
Manning claimed never to have had even six months formal schooling in his life. Reading his work makes it apparent that he was telling the truth. Although his language and vocabulary are clear, his spelling is difficult to read. Although his main piece, “The Key of Libberty” was submitted to the Independent Chronicle (the main Jeffersonian Republican newspaper of the time) it was never published. As a side note, he does not mention religion except for noting how a free government is the only one supported by God. (Puritan principle).
So why is this document important?
This document is important because it sets forth the belief that democracy is workable so long as its constituents are educated in matters of government. For example, Manning sets forth that every town should have a grammar school, and colleges should be readily accessible. Governments and the principles behind them should be carefully studied, and education should be mandatory for every child. Today, education is mandatory for every child. Grammar, or elementary, schools exist in every town and colleges are more accessible than ever. Governmental principles are studied from 3rd and 4th grade through political science in college. Does this establish the means necessary to understand governmental principles, and what to look for in an elected representative?
Manning also presents a view of the press. He says it is necessary to have an unbiased, easily accessible newspaper for the laboring class to get information on governmental issues and political candidates.
In short, this document is important because it is still relevant. Many times, voters do not know who they are voting for, even today. It is still important that people are educated on governmental principles and what to look for in a candidate. It is also important that people are exposed to an unbiased look at current issues, candidates, and their platforms, because informed decisions are often the best decisions, at least on a national basis.
What is it about?
“The Key of Libberty” is a discussion of the conflict between the elite and the laboring class, its effect on government, and how to solve it.
Because the more power the “few” have, the more selfish they get, a government is necessary to control them. A free government is made of known laws the whole nation decides, with fair and full representation, and officers that are civil servants, not masters. Its sole end is to protect life, liberty and property, and the will and interest of the majority.
All men are created equal but power struggles separate them into the few (elite speculators, doctors, merchants, professors, executive and judicial officers, and lawyers- he criticizes these people because they either make money from the laborers’ troubles or promote infallibility of government officers) and the many (laborers). In government, a system of checks and balances is needed such as the legislative (job is to determine right and wrong, populace must follow right and wrong) to balance the other branches. However, even this is not enough.
The reason, then, that government still fails is the unreasonable demands and desires the few impose on the many. These include
1. tradition of ignorance among the many
2. the self-interest of the few
3. lack of government-supported schools
4. lack of free press and unbiased knowledge
5. few form laws to ensure lawyers and judges are necessary for interpretation
6. money is managed by the few
7. voting is the process of threats, corruption and bribery
8. war incites ignorant passion and support, serves to keep standing armies
He then goes into a discussion on Federal Promissory notes, summoning of the militia, the unfairness and under representation of elections, and the politically corrupted media. Manning states that laws are too numerous and intricate for the populace (even worse today?)
One governmental action that spurred Manning’s interest was the adoption of Jay’s treaty. This, he said, would surely cause a war with France as well as a downturn in labor economy, and formation of a standing army. The treaty was unconstitutional because there was no public discussion and the populace was bullied into petitioning for the treaty. In response, Manning stated that Madison’s resolutions should be adopted, there should be an embargo on trade with England, and the treaty and the people who made it should be banished. Finally, since in Manning’s viewpoint the treaty is unconstitutional, he asks the question of what is really the supreme power… the Constitution? Federal laws? The treaty?
Manning also cites various events of the day such as the Pittsburg insurrection (Whiskey Rebellion), the Indian War, and Shay’s rebellion. He then moves to the financial system typical of a Jeffersonian Republican, concentrating on the national debt and criticizing that taxes are used to pay interest and politicians’ high salaries.
The prosperity of the day results not from Washington but from free circulation of money, scarcity of labor and produce, and the war in Europe. Also, all parties and political differences boil down to the conflict between many and few. Therefore, to be strong the Republican party must unite.
This begins Manning’s “Remedy against government”. He puts most of the power and responsibility in the hands of citizens, such as the responsibility to obtain knowledge to vote and closely monitor officials. This knowledge includes government and its principles, laws, elections, representation, public interest, petition, methodology and current issues and repercussions, and is to be obtained by honest publications that represent all sides of issues. Manning proposes a government funded magazine, feeling that it is more important than Washington’s new navy. This will allow public servants to be chosen that are all Republican which will serve all orders of men. (Wouldn’t government funding open the door for bias?) He ends with concluding that the establishment of education and press will lead to freedom and enlightenment for Americans, freedom from war (a result of few’s pride and ambition and many’s ignorance) free trade, enjoyment of rights and fruit of labor.
CONSTITUTION
It is the duty of sound individuals to apply honest calling to benefit himself and society. Labor is basis for society, therefore laborers should have cheap, easy, and sure knowledge and learning.
I. For free males 21+ that are laborers, and all who submit to regulations of society.
II. Classes may be any number of people who identify together.
Town meetings include all classes in the town who elect officers such as president, vice president, clerk, and treasurer and meet 4th of July at 4:00.
County meetings include all presidents in the county and meet 1st Tues in Sept. and elect officers as above.
State meetings include all county presidents and meet 1st Tues in Oct. and elect officers as above.
Continental meetings include all state presidents and meet in middle of country.
III. Their purpose is to establish method of spreading knowledge and to monitor and impeach executive and judicial officers.
IV. They also have the ability to impeach members for neglect of duty.
V. The president, the vice president in the president’s absence, or call of 15+ members can establish a meeting.
VI. They are subject to laws and Constitution and have a covenant to gain knowledge and vote in an educated manner.
References:
Monroe, A View of the Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Affairs of the United States (1797)
Fauchet, Sketch of the Present State of our Political Relations with the United States (1797)
Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)
Jay’s Treaty
Treaty of Versailles
Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation of April 1793
Shay’s Rebellion, Whiskey Rebellion
Questions for Discussion:
Why are Manning’s roots so important? How did they affect his views?
What is the basis for Manning’s Constitution?
If this constitution was put in place, what effects might it have had on society then? Now?
Is education proficient at meeting Manning’s requirements today? Is the press?
Further reading:
Introduction and commentary by S.E. Morison, Harvard University, 1922.
Manning, Some proposals for Making Restitution to the Original Credtors of Government & to helpe the Continant to a Mediam of trade
