This week, I had the great pleasure of returning to Ithaca, New York, to speak on my new book, Rage and the Republic, on the campus of Cornell University. You would be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful campus in the Spring than Cornell. It is simply breathtaking with its historic buildings set off against blooming trees and bubbling creeks. I would recommend a visit even if you are passing through the area. It is an American classic of higher education.
For those of us who are history and architecture aficionados, there is nothing like Cornell with its imposing Victorian Gothic and Second Empire “Old Stone Row” buildings. Founded in 1865 by American philanthropist Ezra Cornell and historian and educator Andrew Dickson White, it is nestled in the rolling hills of New York. It is the only Ivy League institution with an agricultural school as well as its own major ice cream factory:
My favorite spot on campus is the Sage Chapel (designed in 1872). It is overwhelming in its beauty, from the stained-glass windows to the elaborate woodwork. I was able to pop in through a side door early in the morning, so the lighting was not the best. However, here are a few pictures:
My remarks were delivered in the Moot Court room of the Cornell Law School, which I view as one of the most elegant law school facilities in the country. Here are a few of the images:
As many on this blog know, I have an undying affection for university and college campuses. Each has its own character and history. Cornell is one of the most unique. It is full of brilliant researchers and unfailingly friendly students and staff.
I wanted to thank Professor Randy Wayne, who organized this event, and everyone in Ithaca for a very special visit. Go Big Red.
Thank you Professor. A few weeks early for the real “Springtime” in Ithaca, but your photos are beautiful nevertheless. I spent 5 years there in the 1950’s and had almost forgotten how gorgeous the Cornell campus is. Even in winter. Those were the days when everyone respected other people’s opinions and viewpoints, there were no drug dealers in town, no violent protests and the girls had to be in the dorm by 11:00 pm. Things have changed.
Prof Turley, I hope that you had the opportunity to go to the gorge and at least see Carl Sagan’s old house.
As far as your book, I confess that I borrowed it from my local library (I possess far too much stuff) but nevertheless enjoyed it immensely. My comments that follow should not detract from your accomplishments but should be treated as from a curious but unaccomplished critic.
Well written and insightful. Prof Turley uses the life of Thomas Paine as a metaphor to illustrate the transition from the American rebellion to a functioning democracy. He argues that Paine was the most important author inspiring the American revolution but that his Democratic leanings would have been destructive to the new republic. In contrast James Madison, in drafting the Constitution, incorporated many anti-majoritarian elements as checks to the destructiveness of democratic despotism. James Madison, almost uniquely among the founders, was determined to invent a governmental structure that would protect the republic from democratic majoritarian impulses that originated from ill conceived human urges.
Prof. Turley follows Thomas Paine to France as he becomes Citizen Paine. In France, Paine becomes more conservative than the Jacobins and eventually falls out of favor. So Thomas Paine, who had legal problems in England, was viewed as a radical in America, was considered a counter revolutionary in France.
I wish the author would spend less time on the French Revolution and more time on certain tense times in American history such as the Civil War, the effects of the industrial revolution and Eugene Debs, the great depression, … During these times the constitutional system was under stress but survived. It would have been good to get Prof Turley’s perspective.
Prof Turley seems to think that AI is promising a disaster for employment. Certainly, AI will impact employment just as with the industrial revolution the individual loom operator’s employment dramatically declined. But the industrial revolution did not result in a total reduced employment – rather it shifted the type of jobs. I think that AI will have a similar effect – some jobs will disappear and others will be enabled. Generally, AI will result in greater productivity in some professions and other jobs disappearing.
Prof Turley, aligning with Milton Friedman, envisions the need for an economy that promotes individual freedom rather than the socialist approaches favored by many when promoting a universal basic income. Prof. Turley envisions an economy that promotes real work (not arts and crafts) to instill a sense of purpose. This is to avoid a split between those that have real jobs and those on welfare.
Beautiful. I have never been to the Cornell campus, so the photos are a treat. Much prettier than my alma mater, Penn. However, I don’t think I would want to be stuck in Ithaca for an extended period of time in winter.
When I was in Ithaca the people would say it has only two seasons, winter and July.
Professor, It is no coincidence that you are one of the most cited legal scholars.Your birthday present for America’s 250th anniversary has been received warmly everywhere. Unfortunately, in your new book “Rage and the Republic”, one: chapter is missing: How an elected President was impeached without noticing the plot: Is it credible, that an IC IG who counseled for DOJ-NSD (Mary McCord? for years be uninformed about Eric Ciamarella’s professional background?
One question remains unanswered: Who recommended Michael Atkinson to President Trump?
As an alumna I can tell stories of a turbulent period of transition, 1965 to 1969. The thing is, the grandeur of the area never changes. Mother Nature graced this place
I am reading your book and would love to hear you speak about it..Yes! Cornell University is breathtakingly beautiful. Was the event open to the public? I have been hoping that you would visit Upstate New York. We would love to have you visit the University of Rochester.
I spent some time there. One additional aspect of the campus’s beauty is that, if you’re standing on the west side of campus (near the tall clock tower), you get a gorgeous panoramic view of Lake Cayuga. Cornell’s campus is set high upon a hill east of the city of Ithaca, and looking west and north you can see 10 to 15 miles of rolling hills and the lake.
Absolutely breathtaking!! Thank you for bringing such beauty into my life today….
You might be one of few considered conservatives that made a visit to Cornell without being protested. It is a beautiful campus but all the newer buildings do have a different feeling.
Excellent! I hope that you also had the chance to tour the gorges in the area with the waterfalls. I lived in Syracuse for 17 years and we used to drive down there just to walk the area. Thanks for sharing.