American Minute

July 23

In 1567, Spanish Explorer Juan Pardo traveled inland from America's eastern coast and passed through a Native American village named "Tanasqui."

A century and a half later, British traders encountered a Cherokee town named Tanasi.

In 1796, Tennessee's Constitutional Convention approved its State Constitution, the U.S. Congress accepted it, and President George Washington signed the bill admitting Tennessee into the Union as the 16th State.

Tennessee's Constitution, Article XI, Section III, stated: "All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences."

Though Article XI, Section IV, stated: "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under this State," Article VIII, Section II, stated: "No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this State."

Tennessee was home to Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, who helped Texas gain its independence.

After the Civil War, Tennessee was the first State readmitted to the Union, JULY 24, 1866.

President Andrew Johnson issued a Proclamation of Amnesty and Pardon to former Confederates on September 7, 1867:

"Every person who shall seek to avail himself of this proclamation shall take the following oath...'I do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support...the Constitution of the United States...So help me God.'"

Though originally called the "State of Franklin," in honor of Ben Franklin, it is said General Andrew Jackson suggested naming the State "Tennessee."

As the 7th U.S. President, Andrew Jackson warned, December 5, 1836:

"The experience of other nations admonished us to hasten the extinguishment of the public debt...No political maxim is better established than that which tells us that an improvident expenditure of money is the parent of profligacy, and that no people can hope to perpetuate their liberties who long acquiesce in a policy which taxes them for objects not necessary to the legitimate and real wants of their Government..."

Andrew Jackson continued:

"To require the people to pay taxes to the Government merely that they may be paid back again is sporting with the substantial interests of the country, and no system which produces such a result can be expected to receive the public countenance. Nothing could be gained by it even if each individual who contributed a portion of the tax could receive back promptly the same portion..."

Jackson added:

"Congress is only authorized to levy taxes 'to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.' There is no such provision as would authorize Congress to collect together the property of the country, under the name of revenue, for the purpose of dividing it equally or unequally among the States or the people. Indeed, it is not probable that such an idea ever occurred to the States when they adopted the Constitution..."

President Jackson cautioned:

"There would soon be but one taxing power, and that vested in a body of men far removed from the people, in which the farming and mechanic interests would scarcely be represented. The States would gradually lose their purity as well as their independence; they would not dare to murmur at the proceedings of the General Government, lest they should lose their supplies; all would be merged in a practical consolidation, cemented by widespread corruption, which could only be eradicated by one of those bloody revolutions which occasionally overthrow the despotic systems of the Old World...."

President Andrew Jackson concluded:

"It was in view of these evils, together with the dangerous power wielded by the Bank of the United States and its repugnance to our Constitution, that I was induced to exert the power conferred upon me by the American people to prevent the continuance of that institution....The lessons taught by the Bank of the United States can not well be lost upon the American people. They will take care never again to place so tremendous a power in irresponsible hands."

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