A couple of weeks ago while I was attending one of the worst CPR courses in Concord I've ever taken, Erin took the opportunity to check out our state's capital (or capitol if you like) and joined the NH Historical Association. She had such a good time that we made a plan to return to tour our very small seat of state government and to learn something about our new home. Concord is smaller than Tallahassee and is much more laid-back if that's possible to believe. The State House, pictured above, was completed in 1818 was built with prison labor to cut down on expenses. I love this toast that was raised at its dedication ceremony and keep in mind this was a few short years after the War of 1812:"The American Eagle. May the shadow of his wings protect every acre of our united continent and the lightning of his eye flash terror and defeat through the ranks of our enemies."
A statue of Daniel Webster outside the State House. One of Webster's many New Hampshire connections was his successful defense of Darthmouth College to keep it a private university. I love this following quote of Webster's on a military draft:
"The Administration asserts the right to fill the ranks of the regular army by compulsion...Is this, sir, consistent with the character of a free government? Is this civil liberty? Is this the real character of our Constitution? No sire, indeed it is not....Where is it written in the Constitution, in what article or section is it contained, that you may take children from their parents, and compel them to fight the battles of any war in which the folly or the wickedness of government may engage it? Under what concealment has this power lain hidden which now for the first time comes forth, with a tremendous and bailful aspect, to trample down and destroy the dearest rights of personal liberty?
Daniel Webster (December 9, 1814 House of Representatives Address)
Bless you, sir!
The NH House chamber (pictured right below) is the oldest one in continuous use in the United States. Amazingly enough, each representative receives only $200 per biennium (plus travel expenses) which is a good thing because New Hampshire citizens are some of the best represented citizens in the nation with 3,000 citizens to each representative (400 total)!
New Hampshire's State Senate (above) is notable for passing the first constitution ever written in the United States!
This is Gen. John Stark who gave us our state motto "Live free or die!" And it's a pretty impressive state motto until you hear the history behind it. I always imagined it was uttered as he died on some foreign, or even domestic field, fighting against tyranny or oppression. The truth is that he couldn't make a Revolutionary War anniversary event, so he sent a toast in a letter that read, "Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils." Still, he wrote this toast in 1809 and the War of 1812 was a few short years away. Maybe he was psychic? (I still love the quote and our state motto beats any other!)
This is Gov. John Lynch, our state governor, after signing a bill dealing with either children having to stay in school until they are 18 or banning smoking in all state bars and restaurants. Either way, it sounds good to us. Erin and I find it hilarious that his name is the same as our former Buccaneer; however, I think the football player could easily tackle this guy. (He's kinda short.) So how did we get this close? We walked in the front door and turned a corner. No security or screenings in this post-9/11 world. His secretary just ushered us in and even told me to get closer when I wanted to snap some pics. Lynch's open-door policy might help to explain his incredible popularity. In a recent poll, Lynch had a 79% approval rating which made him the second most popular governor in the nation. I expect he'll be pushed to run for president in the next 4 to 8 years.
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